The One New Zealand Warriors and Bulldogs are proof of how much can change over an off-season, coming off disappointing campaigns last year with each having the chance to finish the first month of this season with a 3-1 record.
The Bulldogs haven't done that since way back in 2016, while for the One New Zealand Warriors it was 2018, and in both cases it marked the last time either club made the finals.
This match-up sees a special face-off with rookie head coaches Andrew Webster and Cameron Ciraldo - both assistant coach colleagues at Penrith - going head to head for the first time.
The One New Zealand Warriors were impressive in a 26-12 victory over the Cowboys in the Townsville heat in round three, holding North Queensland scoreless from the 14th minute onwards and completing 19 of 23 sets in the second half.
Led by a strong showing from five-eighth Te Maire Martin, the One New Zealand Warriors made seven line breaks in what was their first win in Australia since April 2022, while off the ball they allowed the Cowboys to break their line just once.
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo will have mixed feelings after last week's 26-22 victory over the Wests Tigers, as he watched his side power to a comfortable lead before a late collapse saw them almost throw it all away.
Led by hooker Reed Mahoney, there were a number of individual standouts for the Dogs, and with Matt Burton finding his running mojo their attack goes to a new level.
The Bulldogs have hated trips to New Zealand in recent times and are without a win across the Tasman since 2014, while the Warriors have won the last four head-to-head meetings between them.
Match: Warriors v Bulldogs
Round 4 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Hayze Perham
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Edward KosiWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Viliami VaileaCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Jake Averillo
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam PompeyCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Paul Alamoti
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo MontoyaWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Te Maire MartinFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun JohnsonHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Freddy LussickHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Bunty AfoaProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Ryan Sutton
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu HarrisLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan WalkerInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Jayden Okunbor
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bayley SironenInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Corey Waddell
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Jazz TevagaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Jayden Tanner
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tom AleInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Fa'amanu Brown
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Josh CurranReplacement for Bulldogs is number 22 Jackson Topine
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Ben Cummins
Last updated:
Team News
One New Zealand Warriors: Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is back from a head knock so youngster Taine Tuaupiki goes to the reserves list. Forward Jackson Ford also returns from a head knock and slots into the second row. Hooker Wayde Egan is out with a head knock, replaced in the starting side by Freddy Lussick. Back rower Mitch Barnett has been sidelined by a neck injury.
Bulldogs: Coach Cameron Ciraldo has the luxury of naming the same 17 that got the job done against Wests Tigers with Braidon Burns named 18th man after Josh Reynolds filled that role on Sunday. Tevita Pangai Junior's calf injury looks set to sideline him for at least another week.
Stat Attack
- Discipline has been an issue for both sides, with the One New Zealand Warriors sitting equal first for penalties conceded, averaging 7.7 per game, and the Bulldogs equal second averaging 7.3 per game.
- No halves pairing has been better at setting up line breaks in 2023 than One New Zealand Warriors duo Te Maire Martin and Shaun Johnson. Martin has five line break assists and Johnson has five line break involvements, both of which are competition high numbers in those categories.
- The Warriors have won their past four games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs have not won at Mt Smart Stadium since 2011.
- Just re-signed One New Zealand Warriors winger Edward Kosi has scored five tries in three games at Mt Smart Stadium.
- Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 19 tries from his past 21 games.
- Warriors second-rower Marata Niukore will make his 100th NRL appearance.
- Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
