NRL, ROUND 11, MAY 12th, 2023 CANTERBURY BULLDOGS v NZ WARRIORS
ACCOR STADIUM, SYDNEY
Accor Stadium will play host to Friday’s Round 11 NRL game between Canterbury Bulldogs and New Zealand Warriors. The game kicks off at 6:00 pm with New Zealand Warriors heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers.
The Bulldogs and the Warriors will both be eager to bounce back from Magic Round defeats when they clash first-up on Friday evening.
The Dogs showed plenty of fight in their clash with the Raiders, but like many of their previous games in the 2023 NRL season, they simply could not get over the line.
That was their sixth loss of the campaign, and it has meant they’ve fallen to 15th on the ladder.
The Warriors meanwhile returned another tough performance, they were just a little outclassed by reigning premiers the Panthers, who themselves were trying to bounce back from a Round 9 defeat.
Suffice to say both of these teams are struggling in the injury front, but it’s the Warriors who have the freshest concerns.
Jackson Ford is a huge out (concussion) while Edward Kosi is also out. The Bulldogs will welcome back Josh Addo-Carr.
The thing that tips this match in the favour of the inconsistent Bulldogs is not only the injury factor but their home ground advantage and the shorter turn around for the travelling Warriors.
While the Warriors have been more impressive this year, the Bulldogs have shown they have a lot of improvement in their defence despite some strong attack.
It’s that defensive response that Cameron Ciraldo will be working on deluxe in the lead up to this game, especially with the threat of a rejuvenated Shaun Johnson leading the Warriors.
Last week the Bulldogs’ forwards were dominated in every way by the Raiders pack; they’ll be on a mission to ensure it doesn’t happen again this week against the likes of Addin Fonua-Blake and Tohu Harris.
Historically the teams are quite evenly matched and love a good tussle, but in recent years the Warriors have been dominant.
This should be another beauty if both are on their game, but it’s hard not to see a response from Ciraldo’s men after an embarrassing last game.
As much as referees are objective, the noise around the shocking calls/non-calls against the Warriors last round will ensure they win the battle of officiating comfortably this time out. The Bulldogs will have to be extremely disciplined
I think this one is an open and shut case – the Warriors win it.
Last ten matches. Warriors 8, Bulldogs 2
Bulldogs team:
1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Matt Burton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Corey Waddell 12. Jacob Preston 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 14. Karl Oloapu 15. Jayden Okunbor 16. Franklin Pele 17. Harrison Edwards 19. Blake Wilson 20. Jackson Topine 21. Ryan Sutton 22. Kyle Flanagan 23. Kurtis Morrin
Warriors team:
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Josh Curran 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Dylan Walker 16. Demitric Sifakula 17. Tom Ale 18. Bayley Sironen 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Ali Leiataua 22. Viliami Vailea 23. Kalani Going
PREDICTION.
While the dogs will start as favorite in front of their fans, and the Warriors have had a lot of travel over recent times I think the Warriors can pull off a close win, but only by a point or two.
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