NSW Cup Preview: Pivotal clash against St George Illawarra

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Fri 22 May 2026, 10:29 PM

A repeat of last year’s grand final match-up against St George Illawarra is critical for the One New Zealand Warriors as they strive to steady their season in Saturday’s round 12 New South Wales encounter at Jubilee Stadium in Sydney (3.10pm kick-off local time; 5.10pm NZT).

The Warriors bounced back from a grim 14-43 round nine loss to the Eels to trounce the Melbourne Storm 46-4 at North Sydney Oval last Sunday.

The result lifted them to eighth spot on 12 points but, with a logjam on the table, they’re only two points behind the fifth-placed Dragons who are among four teams on 14 points.

When the two sides last met in the grand final last year the Warriors won 30-12 but their side now bears little resemblance to the title-winning one. So much so the only survivors named on Tuesday were Luke Hanson, Kayliss Fatialofa, Jason Salililo and Jett Cleary (Hanson and Fatialofa are both in the NRL side’s 20-man game day squad).

Much interest will focus on Jye Linnane following his spectacular NSW Cup debut last week coming back from a long injury lay-off.

Normally a half, he was used in the centres for 51 minutes, finishing with two tries, a line break, a try assist and six tackle breaks.

The NSW Cup is the second leg of a tripleheader starting with the Jersey Flegg Cup match between the two clubs and finishing with the NRL contest.

Round 12 - Round 12 - Saturday 23 May

5:10 am

Dragons

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Geronimo Doyle
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Tom Kirk

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Daeon Amituanai
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Nathan Lawson

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Jeremiah Lemana
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Jye Linnane
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Toby Rumble

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Harry Tauafiafi-Iutoi
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Nick Quinn

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Hanson
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Joseph O'Neill

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Jett Cleary

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 10 Jacob Webster

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Cooper Page-Wilson
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Haele Finau

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Makaia Tafua
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Jarrah Treweek

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kayliss Fatialofa
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Dylan Coutts

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Connor Bowden
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jacob Halangahu

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Jason Salalilo

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Isaiah Fagalilo

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Jacob Auloa
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Viliami Hikila

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Christian Sikuvea
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Ben Jackson

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Bishop Neal
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Connor Sadler

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tepatasi Laumalili