Round 21 of the NRL Premiership sees the Bulldogs host the New Zealand Warriors in an all-important clash at Accor Stadium for Members’ Round.
As Canterbury continue their climb up the ladder in search of a finals spot, the top-four Warriors stand in their way in an imperative clash, with plenty of match ups across the park.
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As usual, there is plenty of team news, stats and info to unpack in our Round 21 Match Preview.
Skipper Stephen Crichton is back after being rested last week following his injury scare in Round 19 when he lost feeling in one arm. Sean O’Sullivan moves to the bench after his starring role in Crichton’s absence against Wests Tigers. Star back-rower Viliame Kikau returns to the starting side after coming back from injury via the bench last week so Josh Curran moves to the interchange. Jed Reardon is the new face on the bench.
No changes to the starting side after the win over the Dragons last week. Marata Niukore has been added to the six-man bench in place of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who wasn’t used in last week’s match.
History vs Warriors and Last Time Out: Round 23, 2025
The Bulldogs and Warriors face off for the 46th time since their first meeting back in 1995, with the Blue and Whites holding a 24-20 winning record, with one draw between the two sides in 2001.
Memorable matches over the years include a slew of home matches in Wellington, as well as the victory in Auckland in 2024 that guaranteed Cameron Ciraldo’s first finals series. That’s not to forget the 13-12 thriller earlier that year.
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NRL Match Highlights: Bulldogs vs Warriors – Round 23, 2025
Our last match against the Warriors – nearly one year ago – was one to remember in Indigenous Round.
On a waterlogged night at Accor Stadium, the Bulldogs put on a clinic with a 32-14 win over the ‘Wahs’, with Enari Tuala scoring a double and Stephen Crichton bagging a 16-point haul on a memorable match day.
Key Match Up: Kiwi Props Face Off
Two of the biggest and baddest front rowers in the competition go head-to-head when Leo Thompson and James Fisher-Harris take the field.
The Māori duo provide plenty of power and punch through the middle of the field, with Thompson warming to his first year at the Bulldogs since joining in November.
In his first 12 matches, Thompson has averaged 117 metres with ball in hand and nearly 36 tackles per match while making 12 offloads and making 24 tackle breaks.
His opposite – the Warriors’ skipper – has had a solid if disrupted season, averaging 147 metres and 31 tackles per match while also offloading 8 times and making 19 tackle breaks.
With so much talent across the park on both sides of the field, look to these fellow countrymen to build the platform for victory.
What They Said: Gordon Chan Kum Tong, Jaeman Salmon & Viliame Kikau
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Gordon Chan Kum Tong Round 21 Media
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Jaeman Salmon Round 21 Media
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Viliame Kikau Round 21 Media
The Bulldogs have won their last three games against the Warriors.
The Bulldogs have won four of their last five games at Accor Stadium.
Bulldogs winger Jethro Rinakama has scored six tries in his last six games.
Warriors winger Alofi’ana Khan-Pereira has scored 12 tries in 10 games this season.
The Warriors have won eight from nine against teams currently sitting outside the top eight.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Bulldogs Members and supporters will be available to watch the match on FoxSports, or stream via Kayo.