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Warriors v Bulldogs: CNK, Ford return; Same 17 for Ciraldo

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pan66.com
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The Warriors and Bulldogs are proof of how much can change over an off-season, and after disappointing campaigns last year they meet on Sunday with each having the chance to finish the first month with a 3-1 record.

Canterbury haven't done that since way back in 2016, while for the Warriors it was 2018, and in both cases it marked the last time either club made the finals. 

The Warriors were impressive in a 26-12 victory over the Cowboys in the Townsville heat in Round 3, holding North Queensland scoreless from the 14th minute onwards and completing 19 of 23 sets in the second half. 

Led by a strong showing from five-eighth Te Maire Martin, the Warriors made seven line breaks in what was their first win in Australia since April 2022, while off the ball they allowed the Cowboys to break their line just once. 

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo meanwhile will have mixed feelings after last week's 26-22 victory over the Wests Tigers, as he watched his side power to a comfortable lead before a late collapse saw them almost throw it all away. 

Led by hooker Reed Mahoney, there were a number of individual standouts for the Dogs, and with Matt Burton finding his running mojo their attack goes to a new level. 

The Bulldogs have hated trips to New Zealand in recent times and are without a win across the Tasman since 2014, while the Warriors have won the last four head-to-head meetings between them. 

Team News

Warriors: The home side are 1-17 with no late changes on game day. Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and forward Jackson Ford return to the starting side after suffering head knocks in Round 2. Hooker Wayde Egan is out with a head knock, replaced in the starting side by Freddy Lussick. Back-rower Mitch Barnett has been sidelined by a neck injury. Josh Curran is 18th Man. 

Bulldogs: No late changes with coach Cameron Ciraldo has the luxury of naming the same 17 that got the job done against Wests Tigers. Tevita Pangai Junior dropped out of the squad on Saturday and remains a week away from returning from his calf injury. Jackson Topine is 18th Man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
    Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Hayze Perham
  • Winger for Warriors is number 2 Edward Kosi
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
  • Centre for Warriors is number 3 Viliami Vailea
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Jake Averillo
  • Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Paul Alamoti
  • Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
  • Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Te Maire Martin
    Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
  • Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson
    Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle Flanagan

Forwards

  • Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
  • Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Freddy Lussick
    Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
  • Prop for Warriors is number 10 Bunty Afoa
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Ryan Sutton
  • 2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
  • 2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
  • Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris
    Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Raymond Faitala-Mariner 

Interchange

  • Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan Walker
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Jayden Okunbor
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bayley Sironen
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Corey Waddell
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Jazz Tevaga
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Jayden Tanner
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tom Ale
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Fa'amanu Brown

Reserves

  • Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Josh Curran
    Replacement for Bulldogs is number 22 Jackson Topine

Match Officials

  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Senior Review Official: Ben Cummins

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • Discipline has been an issue for both sides, with the Warriors sitting equal first for penalties conceded, averaging 7.7 per game, and the Bulldogs equal second averaging 7.3 per game. 
  • No halves pairing has been better at setting up line breaks in 2023 than Warriors duo Te Maire Martin and Shaun Johnson. Martin has five line break assists and Johnson has five line break involvements, both of which are competition high numbers in those categories. 
  • The Warriors have won their past four games against the Bulldogs.
  • The Bulldogs have not won at Mt Smart Stadium since 2011.
  • Warriors winger Edward Kosi has scored five tries in three games at Mt Smart Stadium.
  • Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 19 tries from his past 21 games.
  • Warriors second-rower Marata Niukore will make his 100th NRL appearance.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.