This was published 10 years ago
St George Illawarra Dragons v NZ Warriors
- Rabbitohs v Bulldogs
- Knights v Broncos
- Sea Eagles v Cowboys
- Sharks v Roosters
- Raiders v Storm
- Eels v Tigers
- Panthers v Titans
WIN Jubilee Oval, Kogarah, Saturday 5.30pm (AEST)
Last meeting: Dragons 31 bt Warriors 12 at Eden Park (round 2, 2014).
Head-to-head: Dragons 17, Warriors 4
Referees: Jared Maxwell, Chris James
TV: Live, FoxSports 1
Ladbrokes: Dragons $1.60, Warriors $2.35
Betfair: Dragons $1.64, Warriors $2.50
Michael Chammas writes: The biggest test for the Dragons will be whether they have their eyes fixed on the game ahead or the one behind them. There's no doubt they were robbed of victory against Melbourne, but their ability to put aside controversy and adversity will be tested in their first game at Kogarah for the year.
Tip: Dragons by 10
AAP writes: One of last round’s hard luck stories went to the Warriors after walking away with a one-point loss to the Bulldogs despite being rated by most as the better side. Then the Dragons played Melbourne. As gutted as the Warriors were after Trent Hodkinson’s last-gasp winning field goal, few could truly grasp the Dragons’ frustration following the injustice of Melbourne’s try after the siren. Despite a promising start, the Dragons are back in the pack with a 3-3 record. CEO Peter Doust unsuccessfully demanded the NRL award his club two points for the refereeing gaffe. The Dragons downed the Warriors in round two at Eden Park this year but it remains to be seen how they respond to last round’s result.
Key: Will this be the week the Warriors finally nail down a right centre? The Kiwis will field their fourth different right centre in seven games this weekend against the Dragons after the shock axing of battering ram Konrad Hurrell for 20-year-old Ngani Laumape.
DRAGONS: Josh Dugan, Brett Morris, Dylan Farrell, Gerard Beale, Jason Nightingale, Gareth Widdop, Michael Witt, Jack Stockwell, Mitch Rein, Dan Hunt, Joel Thompson, Ben Creagh (capt), Trent Merrin. Interchange: Bronson Harrison, Will Matthews, Mike Cooper, Leeson Ah Mau.
WARRIORS: Sam Tomkins, David Fusitua, Dane Nielsen, Ngani Laumape, Manu Vatuvei, Thomas Leuluai, Shaun Johnson, Sam Rapira, Nathan Friend, Jacob Lillyman, Dominique Peyroux, Jayson Bukuya, Simon Mannering (capt). Interchange: Siliva Havili, Suaia Matagi, Charlie Gubb, Ben Henry, Tuimoala Lolohea (one to be omitted).