Finals football is out of the equation but the One New Zealand Warriors will be striving to finish their 2024 SG Ball Cup (under-19) campaign on a high note when they face St George Illawarra in their last regular season match at Pukekohe’s Navigation Homes Stadium on Sunday (11.45am kick-off).
Last Sunday’s dramatic 30-30 draw with Cronulla Sutherland extinguished any glimmer of hope of making the top six playoffs.
The result left the Warriors on seven points with Parramatta and Illawarra filling fifth and sixth on 10 points meaning the best they can now hope for is to reach nine points.
To do that they’ll need arguably their best performance of the season for they’re taking on second-placed St George Illawarra.
The Warriors are 10th after eight rounds but could finish as high as seventh if they win and other results go their way.
Match: Warriors v Dragons
Round 9 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Meihana PaulingFullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyler Peckham-Harris
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Malakai CamaWinger for Dragons is number 2 Zachariah Nachar
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Nganaiaiafu VakeCentre for Dragons is number 3 David Afu
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Hiraka Waitai-HaengaCentre for Dragons is number 4 Lyric Craft-Te Moananui
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Rapheal SioWinger for Dragons is number 5 Jesse Williams
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Tallan EganFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Shadi Hammoud
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Jesse SoricHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Brandon Tikinau
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 Francis TuimaugaProp for Dragons is number 8 Ryan Hutchinson
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Jeriko Filipi-TalisauHooker for Dragons is number 9 Isaiah Fagalilo
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Kalani Peyroux-DonaldsonProp for Dragons is number 10 Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Te Paeroa Wineera2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Jacob Halangahu
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 17 Elijah Solomona2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Cyrus Stanley-Traill
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Augustino FilipoLock for Dragons is number 13 Finau Latu
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 12 Paea SikuveaInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Angus Clark
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Maui Winitana-PatelesioInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Corey Ackers
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Mikaele ILAIUInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Viliami Hikila
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Waka TateInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Risiate Smythe
Reserves
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Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Lennox Jensen
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Reserve for Warriors is number 20 Noah Harmer-Campbell
Last updated:
After being in contention following three wins in their first five games, they’ve had a frustrating run over the past three weeks.
They were ahead in all three matches against Illawarra, Canberra and Cronulla Sutherland only to falter in the stretch as the Steelers came home to win 32-24 and the Raiders 18-14 before the Sharks came back from a 6-26 deficit to draw 30-30.
The Warriors will field a much-changed lineup against the Dragons due to some of their leading players being moved up a grade to develop with the Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) side.
Among them are co-captain Kayliss Fatialofa, centre Sio Kali, prop Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea, fullback Motu Pasikala and second rower Alvin Chong Nee.
On top of that, hooker and co-captain Jaydee Auloa (18) has been elevated two levels after being named on the bench for the club’s New South Wales Cup side.
