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Dragons v Warriors: NRLW Round 2 preview
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Dragons v Warriors: NRLW Round 2 preview

Author
Alicia Newton NRL Reporter
Timestamp
Alicia Newton

St George Illawarra will treat round two of the NRL Holden Women's Premiership like a do-or-die clash as they host the Warriors at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.

The Dragons can ill-afford another loss if they want to keep their grand final hopes alive, while the Warriors are chasing back-to-back victories after their impressive 10-4 victory against the Roosters.

Last-start winners the Warriors will travel over to Australia for the second time of potentially four occasions this month and are expected to re-arrange their flight schedule after last week's chaotic travel preparation.

Key match-up: Sam Bremner v Apii Nicholls – Both fullbacks starred for their respective sides in the opening round and their sweeping ability will come into play once more on Saturday. Bremner accumulated 11 tackle breaks against the Broncos, while Nicholls was at her roaming best in both attack and defence to prove she's one of the elite fullbacks in rugby league.

For the Dragons to win: They'll need to tighten their goal-line defence after conceding 30 points against the Broncos, but will be better for the run after having no trial game leading into last week's clash. The scoreline probably wasn't a fair reflection of the game for a side who had never played together. Expect a better showing against the Warriors with some game-breakers in their line-up.

NRLW Dragons v Warriors - Round 2

For the Warriors to win: Their defence led them to victory last week and that will be a focus again for Luisa Avaiki's side. The game plan of kicking early in the tackle count worked against the Roosters, but 10 points in attack probably isn't going to be enough for a second week in a row against the Dragons, who are set to improve on last round's effort. The forward pack will need to get on the front foot and allow room for the outside backs to find space.

And another thing: ahead of Saturday night's double-header, which includes the men's side playing South Sydney in the semi-final clash later in the evening.

St George Illawarra Dragons v New Zealand Warriors, Saturday 5.10pm AEST at ANZ Stadium

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Dragons is number 4 Honey Hireme
    Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Apii Nicholls
  • Winger for Dragons is number 2 Rikeya Horne
    Winger for Warriors is number 5 Hilda Peters
  • Centre for Dragons is number 3 Jessica Sergis
    Centre for Warriors is number 2 Langi Veainu
  • Centre for Dragons is number 15 Hannah Southwell
    Centre for Warriors is number 14 Sarina Clark
  • Winger for Dragons is number 5 Shakiah Tungai
    Winger for Warriors is number 21 Lisa Edwards
  • Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Keeley Davis
    Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Laura Mariu
  • Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Raecene McGregor
    Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Georgia Hale

Forwards

  • Prop for Dragons is number 8 Oneata Schwalger
    Prop for Warriors is number 8 Crystal Tamarua
  • Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Anneka Stephens
    Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Krystal Rota
  • Prop for Dragons is number 14 Holli Wheeler
    Prop for Warriors is number 10 Aieshaleigh Smalley
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Kezie Apps
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 4 Onjeurlina Hunt
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Talesha O'Neill
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Alice Vailea
  • Lock for Dragons is number 13 Annette Brander
    Lock for Warriors is number 18 Masuisuimatamaalii Tauaua-Pauaraisa 

Interchange

  • Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Teina Clark
    Interchange for Warriors is number 13 Luisa Gago
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Melanie Howard
    Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Lorina Papali'i
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Asipau Mafi
    Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Amber Kani
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Kate Haren
    Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Raquel  Anderson-Pitman 

Match Officials

  • Referee: Matt Noyen
  • Referee: Wyatt Raymond
  • Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara

Last updated:

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Dragons: A big blow for the Dragons with captain Sam Bremner ruled out through injury. Honey Hireme shifts to fullback, while Hannah Southwell has been promoted to start in the centres. Holly Wheeler will start at prop and Kate Haren moves from the reserves to the bench. Talia Atfield was omitted an hour prior to kick-off.

Warriors: The Warriors have made several changes, with Sarina Clark to start at centre after initially being named on the bench. Winger Langi Vaina has been moved from wing to centre, while Lisa Edwards has been promoted to start on the wing. Onjeurlina Leiataua has been dropped to the bench and Sui Tauaua moves from the reserves to starting lock. The new face on the bench is Raquel Anderson. Va'Nessa Molia-Fraser was cut an hour before kick-off.

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