Warriors fall to Bulldogs, slip to third in NRL standings
The NZ Warriors have dropped to third place on the NRL ladder following an 18-6 defeat against the Canterbury Bulldogs in Sydney. The loss saw the Warriors unable to reclaim second spot, which they had slipped from after the Roosters secured a narrow victory over Newcastle.
The Bulldogs established an early lead, with captain Stephen Crichton and second-rower Jacob Preston scoring tries within the initial 11 minutes of the match. This quick succession of scores left the Warriors trailing 12-0 at halftime, a deficit they struggled to overcome throughout the game.
Match Action and Missed Opportunities
Despite needing to score first in the second half, the Warriors were unable to convert their efforts into points, frequently making errors that hindered their progress towards the tryline. Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz further extended his team’s advantage by scoring in the corner.
Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak had an opportunity to score but his try was disallowed due to a forward pass. The team remained scoreless until the final six minutes of the match. It was then that front-rower Mitch Barnett executed a kick on the last tackle, which five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita gathered for the team’s only try.
The Bulldogs had previously defeated the Warriors in their last encounter during round 23 of the previous year. This recent victory, coupled with the return of skipper Stephen Crichton, who had been rested after an injury scare in round 19, contributed to their confidence heading into the match.
Team Changes and Injury Concerns
For the Bulldogs, there were no changes to their initial 1-19 lineup in the 24-hour update before the game. Sean O’Sullivan moved to the bench after his performance in Crichton’s absence. Star back-rower Viliame Kikau returned to the starting side after recovering from an injury, with Josh Curran moving to the interchange bench. Jed Reardon was also a new addition to the bench.
The One New Zealand Warriors made a change to their bench in the 24-hour update, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad replacing Marata Niukore. Earlier, the starting side remained unchanged from their previous win against the Dragons. Marata Niukore had been added to the six-man bench, replacing Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who was not utilised in the prior week’s match. Centre Rocco Berry was also omitted at the 24-hour mark.
The match also brought concerning news for the Warriors regarding injuries. Fullback Taine Tuaupiki left the field during the first half due to a foot complaint, adding to the team’s worries.
Statistical Context
The Bulldogs have now secured victories in their last three games against the Warriors. They have also demonstrated strong form at Accor Stadium, winning four of their last five matches played there. The Warriors, on the other hand, had a strong record against teams outside the top eight, winning eight out of nine such encounters.
Individual player statistics highlighted some key performers. Warriors winger Alofi’ana Khan-Pereira had scored 12 tries in 10 games this season, while Bulldogs winger Jethro Rinakama had scored six tries in his last six games. The Bulldogs entered the match having won four of their past five outings, including a 32-0 win over the Wests Tigers.
The Warriors had previously closed within one game of ladder leader Penrith after a close victory against the Dragons in Auckland, as they pursued their first minor premiership since 2002. However, this recent loss against the Bulldogs has impacted their standing.
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Source: rnz.co.nz
