The Warriors good pre-season form appeared to dissolve in their loss last week against the Eels, while the Dragons’ poor pre-season form also seemed to dissolve in their win against the lowly Tigers.
But for both the Warriors and Dragons, defence was a common concern.
The Warriors were particularly weak in their outside defence, with each of the Eels’ wingers collecting three tries and it is certain Gareth Widdop and the Dragons centres and wingers will attempt to exploit any Warriors’ weakness out wide.
Widdop was involved in four of the Dragons’ seven tries last weekend against the Tigers and had a perfect kicking record and the Dragons will be looking for a repeat performance.
Michael Witt played well and with enthusiasm at halfback last weekend until injured and replaced by Kyle Stanley, who also played well.
Witt is out with a dislocated shoulder and has been replaced by ex-Canberra half Sam Williams, with Stanley being retained as a bench utility.
Dragons forward Jack de Belin has been replaced by Bronson Harrison, who joins the bench.
The Warriors were weak in both attack and defence against the Eels and need to go back to basics if they are to win this match.
The Warriors’ coach has nevertheless shown confidence in his team and made minimal changes to the team that lost badly to the Eels, with the most interesting being the inclusion of Jerome Ropati at centre – maybe to help plug some of those gaps out wide.
Despite winning well against the Tigers, the Dragons will need to improve on their defence against the Warriors if they are to have a chance of winning away from home.
But the Dragons’ coach has been equally reluctant to make changes to his winning team, even though, for example, Dylan Farrell in the centres did not perform well against the Tigers.
It will be a question of which side wants this win most, particularly given that they play twice this year.
The Warriors should be hungrier for the points, but the Dragons, although winners last up, will also be desperate for points as they face a horror run starting in Round 5 when they play the Rabbitohs followed by Storm, Warriors, Roosters, Bulldogs, Eels, bye and Rabbitohs again.
It could go either way, but the Warriors’ coach must have been tempted to test his reserve strength and make more changes to their losing side.
I will go for the Dragons in a close match.
Warriors
1. Sam Tomkins 2. Glen Fisiiahi 3. Dane Nielsen 4. Jerome Ropati 5. Manu Vatuvei 6. Chad Townsend 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Sam Rapira 9. Nathan Friend 10. Ben Matulino 11. Jayson Bukuya 12. Simon Mannering (c) 13. John Palavi
Interchange: 14. Jacob Lillyman 15. Suaia Matagi 16. Ben Henry 17. Feleti Mateo 20. Sione Lousi (one to be omitted)
Dragons
1. Adam Quinlan 2. Brett Morris 3. Dylan Farrell 4. Gerard Beale 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Jason Nightingale 7. Sam Williams 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Mitch Rein 10. Dan Hunt 11. Leeson Ah Mau 12. Ben Creagh (c) 13. Trent Merrin
Interchange 14. Bronson Harrison 15. Kyle Stanley 16. Joel Thompson 17. Mike Cooper
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
Could be right.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
Now this game is played on the 15th March, so the "ides of March" are upon all leaders including coaches. The Ides of March was when Roman emperor was stabbed in the back by his committee so Elliott and Price should be wary.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
Well the bookies seem confident that the Warriors will win 1.28 against 3.65 the same odds for Roosters v Eels, the 3.65 looks tempting
Red "V"ictory of Jerusalem
Guest
Agree with walter....If anything put williams on the bench and put stanely in no. 7. He looks to reallyy be finding his feet and is much better in defence than williams,
give it to him
Guest
Never seen Shaun Johnson that quiet,expect him and Sam T. to cut loose this Saturday..to lose to the eels AND dragons in consecutive weeks would be totally unacceptable
Glenn Innes
Guest
Flip of the coin game really, so early in the season with no real form to run with this game is to use a racing analogy a bit like betting on a resticted handicap with the entire field first up from a spell. Punters always need to be aware of the "bounce back" factor in the NRL teams that get flogged one week have a habit of playing well the following week. The Warriors were up to their usual tricks in round one unforced errors and disgraceful edge defence... put some skill on the Warriors and they nearly always seem to leak soft tries. However how strong is a formline based on flogging The Tigers (truth is it is too early in the season to answer that question) but I suspect not very strong. The Tigers look likely to be in for a long season but as I say above it is very early days and you never can tell with only one game played. My guess for what it is worth (not much) is these two teams could finish anywhere from sixth to last... neither are serious title contenders and anything could happen this weekend - close game or a' flogging going either way... nothing would suprise.
PNG Bronco fan#88
Guest
Oh you mean what the Tigers had a few days before the match. Medicore defensive effort from the Tigers gifted points to the Dragons. I just cant see them scoring as much again in NZ, against the Warriors hurting from their embarrasing loss to last years wooden spooners. A new halves combo, unsettled fullback and centre pairings and already light weight front row. Im just saying, it might be a long day for Widdop and co. against the wounded Warriors.
Avatar
Roar Guru
The Warriors haven't beaten the Dragons since 2007 and if they are to end that hoodoo, they will have their hands full trying to shut down Gareth Widdop. Widdop was so impressive on debut for the Dragons against the Tigers last week, setting up four of the team's seven tries and kicking eight-from-eight with the boot. He is, undoubtedly, the perfect replacement for Jamie Soward, whose performances during the first half of 2013 contributed to the Dragons' downfall on the field. Widdop is a mature player and learnt his trade under the Big Three of Slater, Cronk and Smith. Question will be, whether he can continue his good form and march the Saints back into the finals this year.
Devout Saint
Guest
I would have liked to see Kyle 5/8 and Widdop halfback. I will also say that Kyle would be much better served going back to reserve grade and getting his timing, confidence and fitness back, than continued to be played out of position and for only 20 minutes a game.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
I agree that one in a row does not make a season, unless you are competing for the wooden spoon. The trouble for the Dragons is that they need 3 or 4 in a row at the start of the season before they hit their horror patch. How they go and the end is anyone's guess.
Charles NSW
Guest
Misunderstanding there! What I meant there a few half backs available if there are injuries as what has already happened this week They had such a hard time having anyone fill in the position before The other point I make is that while they play the weaker teams it will give them to to settle and improve as a united team. With this team they seem keen to make ammends from last year which is a step forward!
Daniel Albright
Roar Pro
I didn't think they'd get the wooden spoon at the start of the season, I still think the Tigers will, but I'm not sold on them as a team competing for the Top 8. You could add Trent Merrin to the list of representative players but there is some concern that two of the players you mentioned are wingers. There may be forwards with potential, but there aren't any real certainties. The team could really use some size in the forwards otherwise they might find themselves out-muscled in some games. And surely the words 'a few 1/2 backs' and 'stability' don't really belong together. Widdop could be a fantastic player but having uncertainty at halfback seems like the definition of instability.
Charles NSW
Guest
I tipped them to be in the top eight and for a number of reasons The team are young with a number of experienced players amongst them Players like Nightingale, Morris, Dugan, Creagh are representative players They have addressed the 5/8 role and now have a few 1/2 backs that can give them stability Their forwards are of some concern as to if they have the grunt and the gumption However in their first outing they seem to have that although the opposition were not on their best foot neither Their main concern is to settle on their No 1 half back and secure the other centre position
Daniel Albright
Roar Pro
Widdop was adept at taking control of the playmaking duties, which the team was obviously hoping for with his $500000 per year deal. It'll be interesting to see if he can maintain that form through the season. But the Dragons were a fairly common pick for the wooden spoon just over a week ago. Does one, admittedly impressive, victory now make them a contender for the Top 8 instead?
Charles NSW
Guest
Walter, I meant through injuries and not on form!
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
I hear dengue fever is very bad up there at the moment.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
Charles, If you do not change a winning team where there is a problem then why wait til a loss to change it? In fact most of the teams in Round 2 are the same win or loss in round 1, with the exception of injuries or established first graders returning from injury. Stanley when he replaced Witt played well and should have been given a chance at half and not Williams.
PNG Bronco fan#88
Guest
Warriors by 13+ get on it!
Charles NSW
Guest
The problem with any coach is having to change players when on a win This side that the Dragons have should adjust ok with the new positions Dylan Farrell does need a good game to cement his spot with others waiting for their chance I think the Dragons can win this one