The One New Zealand Warriors are intent on building on their last-start win over Wests Tigers when they entertain the bye-refreshed St George Illawarra in tonight’s Women in League Round match at Go Media Stadium.
The Dragons have struggled to get results this season but have consistently shown they are up for the fight – and the Warriors will know better than to take them lightly.
Both sides come into this game with wins against Wests Tigers as their last result, with the Warriors posting a 32-6 result last Friday.
The Warriors have been bolstered by the return of State of Origin forwards Mitchell Barnett and Kurt Capewell plus winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak while three other key players in James Fisher-Harris, Leka Halasima and Alofi’ana Khan-Pereira came back into the lineup last week.
This is only the second time the Warriors have played in Auckland in the last three months.
Team news
One New Zealand Warriors: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad comes on to the interchange bench in place of Marata Niukore in the 24-hour update. Origin pair Kurt Capewell and Mitch Barnett are back after being rested last week, so Leka Halasima and Tanner Stowers-Smith revert to the bench. Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak returns from a hamstring injury.
Dragons: No changes in the 24-hour update. Winger Tyrell Sloan has been named to play despite coming off with a hamstring injury in the round 18 win over Wests Tigers before last week’s bye. Moses Suli has been recalled on the bench after playing NSW Cup a fortnight ago.
Stat attack
The Warriors have won five of their last six games against the Dragons.
The Dragons have not won at Go Media Stadium since 2011.
Warriors winger Alofi’ana Khan-Pereira has scored 11 tries in his last eight games.
Dragons hooker Jacob Liddle will make his 150th NRL appearance.
Warriors second-rower Leka Halasima has scored nine tries in his last 10 games at Go Media Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.