Aotearoa Warriors Diary: Statement Game vs Dragons
NZ Warriors upset the Canberra Raiders party for Jarrod Croker's 300th NRL game and an away game to face Dragons on Friday night offers another enticing challenge. The way Dragons operate at all levels should allow Warriors fans to feel gratitude for the way their organisation works and while Dragons have consistently battled dramas in recent years, the past week has amplified their woes.
Ben Hunt is unlikely to play for Dragons as his request to depart Dragons simmers. All of this niggle could make an away trip slightly easier for Warriors although this may be countered by Dragons fans rallying behind their team. Either way, this will be a crucial game for Dragons and after that trip to Canberra, Warriors have experience of tricky emotional fixtures.
Rocco Berry makes his return for Warriors at centre and Ali Leiataua is not named for the NSW Cup game on Saturday. This suggests that Leiataua is out injured and we will wait to see how coach Andrew Webster views his best centre pair. Given how Berry has been shuffled straight into the team a few times already this season, he is probably still ahead of Leiataua and others.
Mitchell Barnett leaves an aggressive hole in the Warriors forward pack. The way Barnett plays will ensure that he misses a few games due to injury or suspension and as long as Warriors have adequate depth, they will be able to absorb such phases. This may also work in favour of the Warriors as Dragons love ruthless battles in the forward pack and with Dylan Walker taking Barnett's spot, Warriors can adjust.
Warriors have more than enough oomph to counter the energetic Dragons forwards. In numerous wins this season, Warriors have picked apart opposition forward packs with their ball movement and this is likely to be a key asset against Dragons. This could be more of a Dolphins type of performance in which Warriors attacked space between Dolphins middles, rather than the Raiders win in which Warriors stretched their opponent across the field.
Watch out for how the bench of Walker, Josh Curran, Bayley Sironen and Tom Ale impact this game. Walker is instrumental in distribution when he enters the game, while all four offer more mobility and skill than the Dragons bench. Ale showcased his footwork and agility against Raiders which is also an intriguing match up against a slower Dragons forward pack.
Another strength of Warriors footy is their grind and against a young Dragons spine, plus a forward pack that will rush up to whack in defence, the set-for-set grind could work nicely. Dragons are 13th for completion rate and 15th for kick return metres, both of which fit snug into the best elements of Warriors footy this year.
Warriors trauma needs to be accepted. In previous years Warriors have a habit of losing these games and despite competing well for the entire game against Broncos, Warriors came off the bye with less vigour in Napier. Warriors have competed in every game this season and haven't been blown away by any team, which when combined with Dragons drama should be enough to get the win.
Along with Leiataua, there is no Demitric Sifakula or Selumiela Halasaima named in NSW Cup. As always, we don't know how the reserve grade team will look for their home game against Dragons until kick-off. Edward Kosi is named on the wing and Solomon Vasuvulagi continues his rise up the depth chart, now named to start in the middle.
Warriors are 5th in NSW Cup and have two more wins than Dragons in 9th. In NRL and NSW Cup, Warriors have an opportunity to compound Dragons woes. Warriors can also make a statement that they have the consistency and tactics to be a certified finals team.
Join the Niche Cache Patreon whanau to support our kiwi sports content straight up, get a karma boost and find extra podcasts.
Every Monday and Friday we fire off an email newsletter with bonus content. Sign up here!
Peace and love.