Returning to Go Media Stadium comes at an ideal time for the One New Zealand Warriors as they look to bounce back from consecutive losses on the road.
They're back home following a tough loss to the Wests Tigers and a shattering 8-66 defeat by the ladder-leading Roosters last Sunday.
They host the 12th-placed St George Illawarra Dragons who went down narrowly 28-32 to North Queensland last week.
Despite last week's heavy defeat, the Warriors remain in a strong position to challenge for finals football.
The Dragons continue to occupy the lower reaches of the ladder, but recent performances suggest they are far more competitive than their position indicates.
Match: Warriors v Dragons
Round 9 -
home Team
Warriors
7th Position
away Team
Dragons
10th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Team news
One New Zealand Warriors: Apii Nicholls, Mya Hill-Moana and Payton Takimoana were omitted from the reserves. Anastasia Sekene is set for her NRLW debut the #1 jersey. Lavinia Tauhalaliku returns on the wing while, in the forwards, Matekino Gray has been named in her injury return, starting at prop. This moves Metanoia Fetalaiga to the reserves. Stand-in captain Kaiyah Atai starts in the second row with Maarire Puketapu moving to loose forward.
Dragons: Taliah Fuimaono has failed to overcome a shoulder injury and been omitted from the reserves in the 24-hour squad update. With Shenae Ciesiolka out with a quad injury, Tyra Ekepati will start at centre. Nita Maynard-Perrin is out with a dislocated elbow, so skipper Brooke Anderson shifts to hooker, with Hannah Southwell starting at lock. The new prop is Amelia Haukua, with Seriah Palepale on to the bench for her NRLW debut.
Match: Warriors v Dragons
Round 9 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Anastasia SekeneFullback for Dragons is number 1 Teagan Berry
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Lavinia TauhalalikuWinger for Dragons is number 2 Maria Paseka
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Mele HufangaCentre for Dragons is number 3 Tyra Ekepati
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Stacey WaakaCentre for Dragons is number 4 Tahlia O'Brien
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Tysha IkenasioWinger for Dragons is number 5 Jayme Millard
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Gayle BroughtonFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Zali Hopkins
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Patricia MaliepoHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Kasey Reh
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 Annetta NuuausalaProp for Dragons is number 8 Amelia Huakau
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Jasmin HuriwaiHooker for Dragons is number 9 Brooke Anderson
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Matekino GrayProp for Dragons is number 10 Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kaiyah Atai2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Montana Clifford
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Shakira Baker2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Ella Koster
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Maarire PuketapuLock for Dragons is number 13 Hannah Southwell
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Capri PaekauInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Tori Shipton
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Harata ButlerInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Seriah Palepale
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Ivana LauitiitiInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Trinity Tauaneai
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Ashlee MatapoInterchange for Dragons is number 19 Keele Browne
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 21 Metanoia FetalaigaReplacement for Dragons is number 18 Sara Sautia
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Todd Smith
Last updated:
Stat attack
- The Warriors have won three from three in New Zealand this season.
- The Dragons have won three of their four games against the Warriors.
- Warriors centre Stacey Waaka has scored six tries in her last six games.
- Dragons fullback Teagan Berry will make her 50th NRLW appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
