Warriors bidding to seal spot in NSW Cup finals

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Sat 26 Aug 2023, 11:34 AM

Last night the One New Zealand Warriors’ NRL side locked in a top four finals spot and today the club’s New South Wales Cup team can decide its play-off hopes in its final regular season clash against St George Illawarra in Sydney (3.00pm kick-off NZT).

While the North Sydney Bears have secured the minor premiership there’s an absolute logjam below in the battle for the other four places in the top five finals series.

With the bye this week, South Sydney finishes on 32 points with the Warriors on 31, lying third on points for and against, while Canberra is also on 31 but with an inferior points for and against differential.

The Sea Eagles and Penrith follow on 30 points with Newtown and Canterbury Bankstown on 29 meaning seven teams are still in contention for the four remaining play-off spots.

A win over the Dragons today will seal a final football outcome for the Warriors but, if they lose, they will have to await the outcome of matches involving the other contenders which see the Panthers facing the Eels, the Jets away to the Knights, the Bulldogs at home to fellow contenders the Sea Eagles and the Bears hosting the Raiders.

Round 26 - Round 26 - Saturday 26 Aug

Full Time

Dragons

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Treigh Stewart

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Alexander Lobb

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Edward Kosi
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Savelio Tamale

Centre for Warriors is number 3 patrick moimoi
Centre for Dragons is number 19 Max Feagai

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Brayden Wiliame
Winger for Dragons is number 21 Campbell Watchirs

Winger for Warriors is number 21 Ben Farr
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Paul Turner

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Te Maire Martin
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Zach Herring

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Ronald Volkman

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Viliami Fifita

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Tanner Stowers-Smith
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Haele Finau

Hooker for Warriors is number 14 Paul Roache
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Nick Lui-Toso

Prop for Warriors is number 18 James Gavet
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Jackson Shereb

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kalani Going
2nd Row for Dragons is number 23 Toby Couchman

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Jacob Laban
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Alec Tuitavake

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tom Ale

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Declan Purcell

Interchange for Warriors is number 8 Zyon Maiu'u
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Hamish Stewart

Interchange for Warriors is number 9 Michael Sio
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Jett Liu

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Isaiah Vagana
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Loko Jnr PASIFIKI TONGA

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Maia Sands

Reserves

Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Lyhkan King-Togia

Replacement for Warriors is number 17 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

Last updated: 8/26/2023 1:30:44 PM

The Warriors have experienced NRL playmaker Te Maire Martin in their line-up today as he makes his comeback after more than four months on the sideline recovering from a broken fibula.

Also in the side is 2023 NRL rookie fullback Taine Tuaupiki while Brayden Wiliame, who started the Warriors’ first two NRL matches this season, returns from injury in the centres.

There is also NRL experience on the wing in Edward Kosi, at halfback with Ronald Volkman and middle forward Tom Ale.