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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Match: Bulldogs v Warriors
Round 21 -
home Team
Bulldogs
10th Position
away Team
Warriors
2nd Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
As usual, there is plenty of team news, stats and info to unpack in our Round 21 Match Preview.
- Teamlists and Team News
- History vs Warriors and Last Time Out
- Key Match Up
- What They Said
- Stat Attack
- Where to Watch
Teamlists and Team News
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.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor TraceyFullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki
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Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob KirazWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
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Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Matt BurtonCentre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua
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Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Enari TualaCentre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
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Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Jethro RinakamaWinger for Warriors is number 5 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
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Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Stephen CrichtonFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
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Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan GalvinHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire Martin
Forwards
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Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max KingProp for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
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Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey HaywardHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
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Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kurt Capewell
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Jacob Laban
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Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman SalmonLock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark
Interchange
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Sean O'SullivanInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam Healey
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh CurranInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Tanner Stowers-Smith
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry HayesInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Lipoi HopoiInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Leka Halasima
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Jed ReardonInterchange for Warriors is number 18 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Gordon Chan Kum TongInterchange for Warriors is number 20 Marata Niukore
Reserves
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Reserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Alekolasimi JonesReserve for Warriors is number 21 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
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Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Jack UnderhillReserve for Warriors is number 22 Luke Metcalf
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Reserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Bronson XerriReserve for Warriors is number 23 Rocco Berry
Bulldogs Ins
- Alekolasimi Jones
- Bronson Xerri
- Jed Reardon
- Stephen Crichton
Warriors Ins
- Luke Metcalf
- Marata Niukore
- Rocco Berry
Bulldogs Outs
- Marcelo Montoya
Warriors Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
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.
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
Gordon Chan Kum Tong Round 21 Media
Jaeman Salmon Round 21 Media
Viliame Kikau Round 21 Media
Stat Attack via NRL.com
- 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.
Where to Watch
Bulldogs Members and supporters will be available to watch the match on FoxSports, or stream via Kayo.
