Roar Guru
NRL action comes to New Zealand for the first time in the 2014 season proper as the New Zealand Warriors take on the St. George-Illawarra Dragons at Eden Park. Join us for live scores and commentary from 3pm AEDT.
As far as NRL curses go, the Dragons’ run of losses to the Raiders may grab all the headlines, but check the history of these two adversaries and you’ll discover a record that’s almost as dismal.
Facing 20 times since 1999, the Dragons have won 16 of those contests, the Warriors just 4. That run includes, most recently, eight wins on the trot to the Red V.
With the way they started their 2014 campaign against the Wests Tigers, it wouldn’t shock to see the Dragons make it a ninth – despite the fact many had them tipped for the wooden spoon at the season’s outset.
New playmaker Gareth Widdop proved a revelation in his debut performance, while young gun Tyson Frizell and rep players Trent Merrin and Ben Creagh were also outstanding, helping to relieve some of the pressure on under-fire coach Steve Price.
Yet the Warriors – highly fancied after their stunning pre-season performances and the signing of high-profile British import Sam Tomkins – will still start this one as heavy favourites.
That’s despite a false start last week when they went down meekly to last year’s wooden spooners, the Eels.
The star duo of Tomkins and Shaun Johnson failed to make an impact, while the right-side defensive duo of Glen Fisiiahi and Carlos Tuimavave was cut to pieces by a rampant Eels attack.
It would seem that Tuimavave has paid the price, dropped in favour of experienced centre Jerome Ropati. Meanwhile Ben Henry comes onto the bench in favour of Sione Lousi who had an unhappy day with his hands last week.
For the Dragons’ part, they’ve been forced into a couple of changes through injury – halfback Michael Witt (shoulder) is replaced by Sam Williams, and Tyson Frizell starts for Jack De Belin (leg), with Bronson Harrison coming onto the bench.
While it may have been a typically unpredictable opening round of NRL action, I’m tipping some balance to be restored this week with the home ground advantage and sheer level of talent in the NZ squad seeing them turn the tables on last week’s form. Warriors by 12.
Can the Warriors post their first win of the season, or will the Dragons make it two on the trot and further relieve the pressure on their coach?
Join us this afternoon at 3pm AEDT for live score updates and debate on our live blog, and be sure to give us your opinion in the space below if you’re watching.