Canterbury young gun Lachlan Lewis has slotted a clutch field goal to jag a 27-26 NRL win over New Zealand and throw a speed bump in front of the Warriors’ NRL finals ambitions.
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Final score
Canterbury Bulldogs 27
New Zealand Warriors 26
The 14th-placed Canterbury Bulldogs will take on the 8th-placed New Zealand Warriors today. Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a live blog of the game in Round 23 of the 2018 NRL season at ANZ Stadium on Sunday afternoon, starting from 2pm AEST.
The Canterbury side will be playing for pride and a chance to etch further away from the bottom of the ladder, while the Warriors are looking to remain inside the top eight, with a logjam of teams still vying for those final spots.
The New Zealand side are the firm favourites at $1.57, while the Bulldogs are the outsiders at $2.42.
The Bulldogs lead the head-to-head record with a 17 victories to 13, however the Warriors won their last clash by 7 points back in June 2017.
In a huge boost for the Bulldogs, Lachlan Lewis returns to the side at five-eight, while the Warriors are unchanged after their impressive victory against Newcastle last Friday.
The weather is expected to be fine, with plenty of opportunities for the ball to be thrown around.
For the Bulldogs this match is potentially a crucial one as they will be desperately looking to avoid the wooden spoon.
They find themselves tied on points at the moment with the North Queensland Cowboys and Parramatta Eels, but have a less woeful points differential than those sides.
If they could find a way to win here it’d give them a valuable advantage in avoiding the acquistion of some unwanted cutlery.
The Warriors meanwhile have the chance to put a two-win buffer between themselves and the Wests Tigers with a victory here.
They have the least points for of any team in the top eight, and are behind three teams in the bottom eight also, so a prolific performance on the scoreboard would be nice.
Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a live blog of the game in Round 23 of the 2018 NRL season at ANZ Stadium on Sunday afternoon, starting from 2pm AEST.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Well,Dragons play the Dogs next Sunday..that should put that disagreement to bed...
Dimity Maher
Roar Rookie
The Bulldogs have produced another sensational upset, to keep the Warriors sweating on their finals hopes currently sitting in eighth position. In a game that ebbed and flowed on the scoreboard, the Warriors appeared to be gaining momentum in the second half, however some desperate Bulldogs defence kept them alive, despite only being in the Warriors 20m once in second half, up until the 77th minute. 22-year old Lachlan Lewis, who was also celebrating a birthday today, was as cool, calm and collected as you would ever see from a half and slotted the winning field goal, 35m out from the Warriors goal line. The Bulldogs have a promising future with Lewis having played just his seventh first grade game today. The positives for the Warriors included a double David Fusitu'a and some nice attacking play once again from Shaun Johnson. He did grab his right ankle and foot late in the game, however seemed to be moving freely towards the final siren. For the Bulldogs Rhyse Martin produced a perfect performance with the boot, taking his career kicking percentage to an impressive 96.6%. The Bulldogs can now breathe a little easier as they move into thirteenth position with two rounds remaining, while the Warriors will need to ensure they secure victories in the final two rounds, to remain four points clear of the Wests Tigers and secure a finals spot. Up next for the Bulldogs is a tough assignment against the Dragons away, while the Warriors will meet the Panthers at home in a desperate match for both teams.
Adam
Roar Guru
It's his tackling that impresses me the most.
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
Cheers Rene ?
Renegade
Roar Guru
Enjoy Baz and Johnny, great guts shown by the dogs!
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Thanks Dimity.
Robert F
Guest
The Dogs need to build the team around Lachlan Lewis now. Each game he manages to improve and solidify himself as a first grader. This kid is spectacular to watch. His composure for his age and the fact he is enjoying himself is showing in the great football he is playing.
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
Great stuff Baz ?
Dimity Maher
Roar Rookie
FULL TIME: BULLDOGS 27 WARRIORS 26 Lachlan Lewis proved the difference with an extremely composed field goal in the dying minutes. The Warriors sit in eighth position on the ladder, four points clear of the Wests Tigers.
Sylvester
Guest
Good kick. Can't believe Morris was allowed to run that far. Goes back to Johnson's terrible kick.
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
Woooohoooo well done Doggies what a game from Lewis good signs for next year cheers for the call Dim enjoy the win ?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Woohoo... !!!
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
He certainly is Rene. Well done Dogs!
Dimity Maher
Roar Rookie
Hopoate cleans up a kick from Johnson off the scrum and Bulldogs win 27-26.
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
Great stuff Lewis common Doggies hold on
Nat
Roar Guru
That kid has just about won it himself with some of his plays in attack and D. Amazing debut games.
Dimity Maher
Roar Rookie
Warriors pack the scrum 10m out from their line with 14 seconds remaining.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Lachlan Lewis - all I can say is that this kid is a star... got the composure of a veteran half!
Dimity Maher
Roar Rookie
FIELD GOAL BULLDOGS! Birthday boy Lachlan Lewis lands the field goal 35 metres out! Bulldogs lead 27-26 with 1:26 remaining.
Dimity Maher
Roar Rookie
In the second half the Bulldogs have been tackled in the opposition 20 only once! The Warriors, 28 times!