Warriors
18
Match Complete
Dragons
0
| K. Nikorima |  | 53 | ||
| K. Nikorima |  | 46 | ||
| K. Nikorima |  | 25 | ||
| E. Katoa | | 23 | ||
| K. Nikorima | | 6 | ||
| J. Taunoa-Brown | | 6 |
| 3 | Tries | 0 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Everyone’s second favourite team, the New Zealand Warriors, will get their campaign back underway on the Central Coast when they ‘host’ the struggling St George Illawarra Dragons. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 3pm (AEDT).
The Warriors have moved heaven and earth to get the NRL season back underway, and as a result, have received an outpouring of support in rugby league circles.
Unfortunately, it’s probably not going to count for very much. The bottom line is they just aren’t very good.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck provides quality, and it’ll be interesting to see how they shape up not having to fly across the ditch each week, but there is a likelihood they will struggle to put results on the board.
That’s before you consider the current injury crisis in the forwards, with Lachlan Burr and rookie Jamayne Taunoa-Brown winning the race to start in the front row by being the last men standing.
David Fusitu’a also misses this game for the Warriors, while Chanel Haris-Tavita has been dropped, with Stephen Kearney seemingly unsure of his best looking team.
Of course, the Warriors have their excuses, but this is one of the games they might consider themselves a chance in, and momentum can do funny things to footy teams.
They are playing a Dragons team who look good on paper but in practice are more like a wet lettuce leaf.
When you can assemble Corey Norman, Ben Hunt, Cameron McInnes, James Graham, Tariq Sims, Korbin Sims, Tyson Frizell and Paul Vaughan in the same team, they shouldn’t be in the wooden spoon discussion, but for the second year in a row, here we are.
The Dragons were average in their first two games – both losing efforts to the Tigers and Panthers – and while they have won 21 out of 29 games against the Warriors, that will count for little unless they can sort their defence out in this one.
If they can’t get that element of their game right, then Tuivasa-Sheck could have a field day, and Red V fans a bad one.
Despite that, they showed enough last year that the break and extra nine weeks for Shane Flanagan to get his hands on the team might be enough to get them firing.
The side have also been put on notice regarding keeping their first grade spots, with names like Jason Saab, Tristan Sailor, Jacob Host, Josh Kerr, Trent Merrin, Tif Lafai and Jackson Ford missing out this week, so that may inspire something.
Prediction
If the Dragons can have an even share of possession, they should win. I don’t expect this to be a game we will be talking about as a highlight though.
Dragons by 8.
Game information
Kick-off: 3pm (AEST)
Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
TV: Live, Fox League 502
Online: Live, Foxtel Now, Kayo Sports, NRL Digital Pass,
Betting: Dragons $1.60, Warriors $2.36
Overall record: Played 29, Dragons 21, Warriors 8
Referee: Chris Sutton
New Zealand Warriors
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Patrick Herbert 3. Peta Hiku 4. Gerard Beale 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Blake Green 8. Lachlan Burr 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Tohu Harris 13. Adam Blair
Interchange: 14. Karl Lawton 15. King Vuniyayawa 16. Agnatius Paasi 17. Eliesa Katoa 18. Chanel Harris-Tavita 20. Josh Curran 21. Adam Pompey 22. Jack Murchie
St George Illawarra Dragons
1. Matthew Dufty 2. Jordan Pereira 3. Brayden Wiliame 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Corey Norman 7. Ben Hunt 8. Korbin Sims 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tariq Sims 13. James Graham
Interchange: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Tyrell Fuimaono 17. Euan Aitken 18. Trent Merrin 19. Adam Clune 20. Jacob Host 21. Jackson Ford
Steve Franklin
Roar Rookie
I have been a stouch Dragons man for 62 years and this team would have to be the worst ever. If this team doesn’t want to be there let them all go and get players who do love the club and want to play for them. But the 1st thing they have to do is get rid of the coach right this minute or you better get use to not scoring any points at all this season. He is with out a doubt the worst coach this mighty club has ever had he has absolutely no idea and it’s disgusting and embarrasing.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
What an insipid performance from the Dragons ..... playing like robots with a couple of chips missing ...... keep the defensive structures but toss out the attacking play book. Better yet tear that book up in front of the players. Tell them to have a go, back themselves, play what is in front of them and back each other up ..... Mary, as a coach you have nothing to lose, let the players go and enjoy themselves because under the current structures they surely are not. Put some enjoyment in their game and they might just surprise you.
Blackberry Smoke
Guest
He’s done a lot of walking without a pulse though .
danwain
Roar Rookie
Only one creating excuses is the coach
DAVEC
Roar Rookie
well whats the dragons excuse this week
The Barry
Roar Guru
Is that a worry or just one of those things from a small sample size ? Unintended consequences ?
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Mary is a dead man walking. He was a good local coach but is out of his depth in the NRL, and so is the person that looks after recruitment. Not a good year ahead IMO.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I hate seeing the Dragons in this position. It’s no good for the game in general either.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
And I ridiculed your tip... Who has the egg on their face?? I can't begin to imagine what the Dogs will do to us next week.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
but you like it enough to buy more...
danwain
Roar Rookie
Just let him go, it's just gone beyond a joke
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
:laughing:
jamesb
Roar Guru
Well done Warriors. Good win. Without you, we wouldn't have a competition. As for my team, they are going through the motions. The players know that the coach is under the gun, so they are all cruising. The problem for the Dragons is can they afford to pay out McGregors contract? This is rubbish.
JGK
Roar Guru
My $100 at 7s on the Dragons winning the spoon is looking pretty sweet.
JGK
Roar Guru
Says it all... https://mobile.twitter.com/JulianKing15/status/1266608505365999616
jamesb
Roar Guru
Definitely being in Clune. How long do Hunt and Norman have on their contracts?
Phil
Roar Rookie
Pathetic effort from Saints. They will have a battle with Gold Coast for the wooden spoon and will win it. A lot has been said about the coach and nothing of it positive but one thing he can do is coach the talent out of players. On paper Saints are a decent outfit but, unfortunately games are not won on paper. Saints have a better halfback in a young bloke, Sullivan is his name and he should be fast tracked into the top squad but only after McGregor is waved good bye. How the bloody hell can that team fail to score a point against the most disrupted team in the comp. Full credit to the Warriors they thoroughly deserved the win
Doug Graves
Guest
Some good signs for the Dragons here this afternoon. At least they didn't lose by 19+ to a very average Warriors team that won't be making the Finals! Let's hope they don't do anything drastic like sacking their coach
Kingo
Guest
Any chance of cancelling the rest of the season ? Don't think I can take more of this for another whole season !! :shocked:
Scott Pryde
Expert
Lots of trouble. The Dragons were just flat out rubbish.