A trip to Auckland’s west awaits the much-travelled One New Zealand Warriors when they face the highly-ranked Bulldogs in tomorrow's round 16 Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) encounter.
After going down to the Sharks in their only appearance of the year at Go Media Stadium last Saturday, they now add Waitakere City’s Trusts Stadium to their list of home venues.
Cronulla Sutherland put together an impressive display in beating the Warriors 42-24 in a contest the home side desperately wanted to win to stay in contact with the top five.
Victory would have drawn the Warriors level with the Sharks in fifth spot on 20 points; instead they’re now four points out of the play-offs zone – and facing another stiff challenge taking on the third-placed Bulldogs tomorrow.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Joseph RatcliffeFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Zane Walker
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Brandon NorrisWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Chelden Hayward
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Caelys-Paul PutokoCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Hamish Wilson
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Motu PasikalaCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Aaymon Fitzgibbon
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Harry Tauafiafi-IutoiWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Raymond Puru
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Harry InchFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Bronson Reuben
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Jack ThompsonHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Joseph Teaupa
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 Tepatasi LaumaliliProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Lyncoln Cliffe
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Braelan MarshHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Kaawyn Patterson
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Hohepa ChandlerProp for Bulldogs is number 10 David Leota
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Dezman Laban2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Chase Paterson
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Taipari Wikitera2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jayden Smith
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Maui Winitana-PatelesioLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Tristan Burns
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Lauti LauvaoInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Chinedu Udeh
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Krushil KotekaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Mace Andrew
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Mikaele IlaiuInterchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Bailey Myers
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Gordon AfoaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Lachlan Mifsud
Warriors Ins
- Gordon Afoa
- Harry Tauafiafi-Iutoi
- Taipari Wikitera
- Tepatasi Laumalili
Bulldogs Ins
- Aaymon Fitzgibbon
- Mace Andrew
- Zane Walker
Warriors Outs
- Jeremiah Lemana
- Kahu Capper
- Militonimolela Sikuvea
- Nganatatafu Vake
- Tama-Teahorangi Darlington
Bulldogs Ins
- Latrell Fing
- Maila Setu
- Malachi Filipo
- Marcellus Iakopo
Last updated:
With four wins in their last five starts, the Dogs are on 24 points, two behind the top two St George Illawarra and Penrith.
The Warriors have picked up only two victories in their last five games and need to find winning touch quickly to make a charge for the finals.
Among lineup changes for this match they welcome back prolific winger Harry Tauafiafi and prop Gordon Afoa.
Starting at hooker for the Bulldogs is Kaawyn Patterson, who led the Warriors' to their maiden Harold Matthews Cup (under-17) premiership in 2024.
