After last week’s shattering loss to the Sea Eagles, the One New Zealand Warriors suddenly find themselves in must-win territory going into Friday night’s 25th-round New South Wales Cup clash against Canterbury Bankstown at Shaun Johnson Stadium (5.15pm).
They were in solid shape sitting fourth on the ladder ahead of playing the Sea Eagles but, while their position hasn’t changed on the table, the dramatic 22-28 defeat has left them on edge going into the final two rounds of the regular season.
They were locked at 22-22 until the final moments before the Sea Eagles denied them what would have been a valuable point from a draw.
At the end of the round just five points separates the top six teams with only five spots available in the play-offs.
Canberra and North Sydney are both on 34 points with Newtown on 33, the Warriors on 31, the Bulldogs on 30 and Penrith on 29. St George Illawarra (28) isn’t out of contention either.
Match: Warriors v Bulldogs
Round 25 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine TuaupikiFullback for Bulldogs is number 19 Blake Taaffe
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Setu TuWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jonathan Sua
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Moala Graham-TaufaCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Hayze Perham
-
Centre for Warriors is number 22 Ali LeiatauaCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Jordan Samrani
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Edward KosiWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Jeral Skelton
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Ben FarrFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Drew Hutchison
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Paul RoacheHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Joseph O'Neill
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Bunty AfoaProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Poasa Faamausili
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Makaia TafuaHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Romano Cook
-
Prop for Warriors is number 20 Tom AleProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Daniel Suluka-Fifita
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jacob Laban2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Kitione Kautoga
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Leka Halasima2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 16 Lipoi Hopoi
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Kalani GoingLock for Bulldogs is number 12 Luke Smith
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 4 Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 1 Joash Papalii
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 8 Tanner Stowers-SmithInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Reuben Moyle
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Luke HansonInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Chris Patolo
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Zyon Maiu'uInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Jack Underhill
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Geronimo Doyle
Last updated:
After taking on the Bulldogs, the Warriors then face Newtown in a demanding last two rounds of the regular competition.
Logic suggests they will have to win at least one of the matches, if not two, to secure their finals berth.
This is how the last two rounds pan out:
- Canberra (34) | Penrith (6th), Sydney Roosters (11th).
- North Sydney (34) | Sydney Roosters (11th), Newcastle (8th).
- Newtown (33) | St George Illawarra (7th), Warriors (4th).
- Warriors (31) | Canterbury Bankstown (5th), Newtown (3rd).
- Canterbury Bankstown (30) | Warriors (4th), Sea Eagles (9th).
- Penrith (29) | Canberra (1st), South Sydney (12th).
- St George Illawarra (28) | Newtown (3rd), Parramatta (10th).
