Huge challenge for One New Zealand Warriors in Wollongong

Author: NRL.com & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Fri 23 Jun 2023, 12:04 PM

Emotions will be running high in tonight's 17th-round contest at WIN Stadium in Wollongong.

While the One New Zealand Warriors need a win to ensure they hold their place in the eight the Dragons are set to test their character after skipper Ben Hunt requested a release from the club.

Both sides are coming off big wins in round 15 before recharging their batteries with a bye last week and, while the One New Zealand Warriors go in as clear favourites, the Dragons should have every confidence they can produce an upset after overcoming both the Roosters and Rabbitohs in recent weeks.

With Shaun Johnson back to career-best form and leading the Warriors' charge up the NRL ladder, Andrew Webster's side has been a revelation this season with fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak capitalising on the form of their veteran halfback.

Having already chalked up eight wins this season, two more than they achieved in all of 2022, the Warriors will be hoping they can back up their big win over the Raiders and put themselves clear of the bottom-half of the eight.

The Warriors' first win over St George Illawarra in Wollongong was on their last visit there in 2018 when they prevailed 18-12 in a gritty contest; 2018 being the last time the club made the finals.

Meanwhile, yet to string together back-to-back wins this season, Ryan Carr's Dragons are running out of time to turn their season around and are staring down a fifth consecutive year of missing the finals.

Round 17 - Round 17 - Friday 23 Jun

Full Time

Dragons

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Jayden Sullivan

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Metcalf
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob Liddle

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Bunty Afoa
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Jack Bird

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Talatau Amone

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan Walker
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Michael Molo

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Josh Curran
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Ben Murdoch-Masila

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Bayley Sironen
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Zane Musgrove

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tom Ale

Reserves

Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Jaiyden Hunt

Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Freddy Lussick

Match Officials

Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:46 AM

Team news

Dragons: Jack Bird is back on deck after being rested since round 13 to allow him to recover from niggling injuries while Jack de Belin returns from a head knock and will play his 200th game. Jayden Sullivan remains the preferred five-eighth and is set to play alongside Ben Hunt, who is named despite the game kicking off just 48 hours after Origin II in Brisbane. Hunt told reporters after the game he expects to play despite the short turnaround and interstate travel required. There were no changes in Thursday's 24-hour update.

One New Zealand Warriors: Dylan Walker comes back onto the bench as a straight replacement for Mitch Barnett, who is serving a one-game suspension picked up in round 15. An untimely hamstring injury following his NRL debut in round 15 means Ali Leiataua is out with Rocco Berry returning at centre after time out with concussion. Luke Metcalf remains the five-eighth with Te Maire Martin's return from a broken leg still at least a couple of weeks away. No changes in Thursday's 24-hour update.

Stat attack

One New Zealand Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson has kicked the most metres this season with 7712, nearly 1000 more than Chad Townsend (6,865) who has kicked the second most.
St George Illawarra forward Jack de Belin will make his 200th NRL appearance against the Warriors at WIN Stadium.
The Dragons have won their past three games against the Warriors.
The Warriors have won only one of their past 11 games at WIN Stadium.
Dragons winger Mikaele Ravalawa has scored four tries in his past three games at WIN Stadium.
Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored six tries in his past four games.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.