Last week it was table-topping St George Illawarra, today it’s a battle with the third-placed Bulldogs for the One New Zealand Warriors in their round 21 Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) clash at Belmore Sports Ground in Sydney (11.00am kick-off local time; 1.00pm NZT).
Lying eighth on 24 points three outside the top five finals zone, the Warriors had a big chance to topple the Dragons in Auckland last week when they scored just before halftime to take a 16-10 lead into the break.
Lapses in the third quarter proved costly, though, as St George Illawarra skipped clear on the way to a 34-22 victory.
The challenge is just as stern today as the One New Zealand Warriors take on a Canterbury Bankstown side sitting three points back from the Dragons.
But they go into the contest buoyed by the manner in which they held on impressively to beat the Bulldogs 22-20 in Auckland five weeks ago.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Raymond PuruFullback for Warriors is number 1 Joseph Ratcliffe
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Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Chelden HaywardWinger for Warriors is number 5 Rapheal Sio
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Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Alvin Chong NeeCentre for Warriors is number 2 Brandon Norris
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Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Leif DietrichCentre for Warriors is number 3 Sio Kali
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Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Jope RauqeWinger for Warriors is number 21 Alexander Pua
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Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Latrell FingFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Harry Inch
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Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Bronson ReubenHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Jack Thompson
Forwards
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Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Tristan BurnsProp for Warriors is number 8 Emosi Ravosai
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Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Kaawyn PattersonHooker for Warriors is number 18 Tama-Teahorangi Darlington
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Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Lyncoln CliffeProp for Warriors is number 15 Hohepa Chandler
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Chase Paterson2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Dezman Laban
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jayden Smith2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Connor Bowden
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Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Bailey MyersLock for Warriors is number 20 Tyson Hansen
Interchange
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Chinedu UdehInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Krushil Koteka
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Mace AndrewInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Sione Manu Telefoni
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Sosefo FinauInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Kahu Capper
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Lachlan MifsudInterchange for Warriors is number 22 Gordon Afoa
Reserves
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Replacement for Bulldogs is number 20 Zane WalkerReplacement for Warriors is number 23 Lauti Lauvao
Bulldogs Ins
- Alvin Chong Nee
- Bailey Myers
- Jope Rauqe
- Leif Dietrich
- Mace Andrew
- Raymond Puru
- Sosefo Finau
- Zane Walker
Warriors Ins
- Alexander Pua
- Kahu Capper
- Lauti Lauvao
- Rapheal Sio
- Tama-Teahorangi Darlington
- Tyson Hansen
Bulldogs Outs
- Aaymon Fitzgibbon
- David Leota
- Finau Latu
- Hamish Wilson
- Joseph Teaupa
- Maila Setu
- Marcellus Iakopo
Warriors Ins
- Amasio Tiatia
- Braelan Marsh
- Harry Tauafiafi-Iutoi
- Maui Winitana-Patelesio
- Motu Pasikala
- Tepatasi Laumalili
Last updated:
The Warriors are without some key personnel with winger Harry Tauafiafi, middle forward Gordon Afoa, hooker Braelan Marsh and Bishop Neal missing. Named to start in the wing in Tauafiafi’s place is Raphael Sio.
Canterbury Bankstown’s lineup includes former Warriors Kaawyn Patterson and Alvin Chong Nee.
