New Zealand Warriors
18
Match Complete
St. George Illawarra Dragons
6
| A. Pompey |  | 79 | ||
| A. Pompey |  | 75 | ||
| A. Fonua-Blake |  | 74 | ||
| 62 | | Z. Lomax | ||
| 61 | | Z. Lomax | ||
| C. Nicoll-Klokstad | | 19 | ||
| A. Pompey | | 14 | ||
| A. Pompey | | 13 |
| 3 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 26 of the NRL premiership continues tonight when the Warriors take on the St George Illawarra Dragons at Go Media Stadium in Auckland. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6:00pm (AEST).
The Warriors run to the finals continues to go as planned and they are within touching distance of a top 4 spot. They can make it a certainty with a win against a Dragons team that continues to put in solid performances at this end of the season.
The Warriors saw off a determined Sea Eagles 29-22 last round in a match not without controversy. The jury is divided over whether the tackle on Reuben Garrick deserved to be penalised, but a different call to the one made could have easily changed the result.
The Warriors success is built around a strong forward pack that will win the battle in the middle over most teams. Having done that, Shaun Johnson continues to play great football and is ably supported by Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, whose style of football is similar to Dylan Edwards.
Coach Andrew Webster has named an unchanged 17. However, Te Maire Martin has been named in the reserves and must be close to a long awaited return from injury.
The Dragons led the Storm 18-4 after 25 minutes in Wollongong last Saturday night, but faded late to lose 38-28 to a Storm side that needed a win to stay in the top 4.
The result in itself was reflective of the Dragons season, with some bright patches overshadowed by poor discipline and too many defensive lapses. Shane Flanagan has a mammoth job on his hands next season.
In the only change to the side that took on the Storm, Zac Lomax’s return from injury is a big plus for the Dragons.
Prediction
The Dragons have been thereabouts recently but haven’t had the composure to finish off games. For fans of the red and white, I fear that we will get more of the same this weekend. Warriors by 12
Game information
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Kick-off: 6:00pm (AEST)
TV: Nine, Fox Sports
Streaming: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Warriors $1.16 Dragons $5.25 – odds via PlayUp
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Josh Curran 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Freddy Lussick 18. Tom Ale 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Edward Kosi 22. TeMaire Martin 23. Kalani Going
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Billy Burns 12. Dan Russell 13. Michael Molo 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Ryan Couchman 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Zane Musgrove 18. Toby Couchman 19. Jayden Sullivan 20. Max Feagai 21. Sione Finau 22. Jaiyden Hunt
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
It wasn't a Sloan brain fade, it was a referee error.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining the blog tonight. I will be back late tomorrow for back to back matches
David Holden
Roar Guru
The Warriors have now won 7 in a row but it is hard to get too excited about their last few games, which have been a bit pedestrian. Regardless of that, they have locked in a top 4 spot which guarantees them at least one home semi.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Congrats Warriors . Thought you were better but only just. Dragons , very , very brave but just dumb . They need to spend the off season in the classroom.
David Holden
Roar Guru
The Dragons put everything into that second half and were in it until the Sloan brainfade with minutes remaining. Their squad is really missing a game changer and Shane Flanagan will be looking at ways to strengthen this side in 2024
79
Panana split
Roar Rookie
I'd never thought I'd be disappointed after seeing a Warriors side win 7 in a row.
Brendan
Roar Pro
The Dragons will be watching the Tiger’s game, I’m sure. To spoon, or not to spoon?
Collie Flower
Roar Rookie
Congratulations to the Warriors, well done on a tough win. Commiserations to the Dragons, that was a great effort to keep yourselves in the game and never let up.
David Holden
Roar Guru
FULL TIME WARRIORS 18 DEFEAT DRAGONS 6
David Holden
Roar Guru
FULL TIME PENALTY GOAL WARRIORS Pompey finishes it with a penalty goal Warriors 18 Dragons 6
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
I’ve had enough of these scratchy wins over lowly teams. I take it though…
David Holden
Roar Guru
80' Curran goes forward. Niukore with a charge. Johnson is stripped and wins a penalty. Pompey will look for 2 as the bell goes Warriors 16 Dragons 6
75
Busted
Roar Rookie
Bit like the 'kick' where you drop the ball and it falls onto your foot garbage.
David Holden
Roar Guru
79' Hunt kicks for Ravalawa but he can't hold on Warriors 16 Dragons 6
R N
Roar Rookie
I thought the same... ended up a great bit of refing!
David Holden
Roar Guru
78' Pompey from the tap. Lussick goes forward. Swing left to Walker. Johnson holds up the pass but it's loose Warriors 16 Dragons 6
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
That's a very technical ruling . 50 / 50 imo the Dragons a bit unlucky.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Is there something wrong with Sloan's brain?