Wayde Egan and Damien Cook will go head to head in Warriors v Dragons. Photo: Photosport/RNZ
NZ Warriors v St George-Illawarra Dragons
8pm Friday, 15 August
Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
History
Somewhat surprisingly, the Warriors have just a 34.2 percent (13/38) winning record against the Dragons and just 6-6 at Mt Smart.
Only Melbourne Storm (30.1 percent) and Manlly Sea Eagles (32.6 percent) have proved more difficult to knock off.
They have won three of the last five, but lost three straight before that during Covid-19.
The Dragons' biggest win was 54-0 at Wollongong in 2000, when winger Nathan Blacklock had three tries and centre Mark Gasnier two.
Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak had four tries, as his team steamrolled the Dragons 48-18 at Wollongong in 2023 for their biggest win.
They needed a late field goal from Luke Metcalf and some dogged defence to secure their 15-14 in the last encounter at Wollongong in May.
Form
The Warriors are reeling from three straight losses and five in their last seven outings.
Faced with what seemed like a gentle run into the playoffs, they were unable to handle bottom-of-the-table Gold Coast Titans, lost on the last play against the Dolphins and had no answer to Canterbury Bulldogs last week.
Their depth has been eroded by injury, which has robbed them of co-captain Mitch Barnett and star halfback Metcalf (both knees) for the season, plagued their midfield to the point that fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is filling in there, and will see them without utility Te Maire Martin and second-rower Kurt Capewell this week.
They have slipped out of the top four, sitting fifth, but just two points ahead of Brisbane Broncos and Cronulla Sharks, and four points ahead of the eight-placed Dolphins and ninth-placed Sydney Roosters.
The Dragons seemed to be drifting to post-season oblivion, but have come right in recent weeks, toppling league leaders Canberra Raiders and then accounting for playoff-bound Sharks.
"They've been in just about every contest," Warriors coach Andrew Webster observed. "They've been the giantkillers of the competition - they're probably the best team that aren't in the eight at knocking off top-four teams."
They are still only a long shot to make the top eight, but they are quite capable of playing spoilers to out-of-form opponents.
Teams
Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark
Interchange: 14. Sam Healey, 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 16. Demetric Vaimauga, 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith
Reserves: 18. Freddy Lussick, 20. Ed Kosi, 21. Tom Ale, 22. Kayliss Fatialofa, 25. Bunty Afoa
With Te Maire Martin under concussion protocols, Webster has turned back to halfback Tanah Boyd, who was a late drop against the Bulldogs.
Second-rower Kurt Capewell is also sideline with a head knock, so teen sensation Leka Halasima is promoted from the bench, with rookie Eddie Ieremia-Toeava in line for his second game of first-grade footy.
Hooker Wayde Egan returns from a shoulder niggle, but Webster has retained back-up Sam Healey on a bench that has no obvious back cover.
Dragons: 1. Clint Gutherson, 2. Tyrell Sloan, 3. Hayden Buchanan, 4. Mat Feagai, 5. Corey Allan, 6. Lyhkan King-Tongia, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Emre Guler, 9. Damien Cook, 10. David Klemmer, 11. Luciano Leilua, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Jack de Belin
Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle, 15. Michael Molo, 16. Hame Sele, 17. Loko Pasifiki Tonga
Reserves: 18. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 19. Lachlan Ilias, 20. Jacob Halangahu, 21. Nathan Lawson, 22. Christian Tuipulotu
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has Hastings-born centre Mat Feagai back from injury, just in time to replace Moses Suli in the midfield. Michael Molo also returns to the interchange, along with Auckland-born youngster Loko Pasifiki Tonga.
Player to watch
Being the coach's son is never easy and halfback Kyle Flanagan is certainly finding that out. Many pundits have circled him as an Achilles heel in the Dragons line-up, but dad keeps putting him out there and that's paid recent dividends.
Kiwi to watch
He may be the last player named to this squad, but the Dragons love Auckland-born, Tonga winger Christian Tuipulotu - they just can't seem to keep him on the field. He's scored 29 tries in 51 NRL appearances, but seven in just six this season, plagued by recurring hamstring strains.
He played reserve grade last week and seems on the verge of another attempted comeback.
What will happen
Who knows what to expect from the Warriors at this point? They need to find some form quickly, but the Dragons are on a run.
A win would sure be handy right now, but would you put money on it?
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