The St George Illawarra Dragons will meet the Warriors on Friday, August 25th at Go Media Stadium, Auckland. This is your game day guide.
Red V returning to NZ
The Dragons will be making the trip to New Zealand for the first time in over five years when they face the Warriors on Friday evening.
The Red V have won six of their 11 games at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium (formerly Mount Smart) over the years but have not visited the venue since Round 7, 2018 with Ben Hunt the only Dragon playing on Friday who was a part of that clash.
The Auckland faithful have very much enjoyed their Warriors being back on Kiwi soil after a nearly three-year Covid absence having attracted crowds of 18,000-plus to all eight of their games at Go Media Stadium this season.
This weekend's clash has already sold-out, the Warriors announced.
Key timings:
When: 6.00pm AEST / 8.00pm NZST
Where: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Watch: Kayo & Foxtel
Ravalawa, DWZ battling for Ken Irvine Medal
Ken Irvine Medal hopes will be on the line in Auckland on Friday with Dragons winger Mikaele Ravalawa and Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak both in the hunt for the prestigious accolade.
Ravalawa last week became the first Dragon since Brett Morris in 2010 to score 20 tries in a single season.
The Fijian international is one of five players currently with 20 or more tries this season and has scored 11 from his past seven appearances.
Watene-Zelezniak, meanwhile, is sitting tied with Jamayne Isaako and Alex Johnston for the highest try tally in the premiership this season with 21 tries from just 16 games.
The last Dragon to earn the top try-scoring gong was Morris in 2009 whilst David Fusitu’a last claimed the award for the Warriors in 2018.
Lomax back for Red V
Zac Lomax (shoulder) returns from a two-match absence for the Dragons with Max Feagai listed among the reserves.
Jacob Liddle has been named to start at nine with Connor Muhleisen shifting back to the bench after the pair swapped prior to kick-off in Round 25.
Jayden Sullivan has been listed among the reserves as he looks to return from a hamstring issue.
Steady sailing for Warriors
Andrew Webster has named the same 17 that took care of business against the Sea Eagles in Round 25.
Josh Curran comes into the starting lineup with Jackson Ford reverting to the interchange.
Te Maire Martin has been named among the reserves as he looks to return from a leg injury that has kept him sidelined since Round 6.
Shaun Johnson has been named at halfback for his 250th NRL game whilst Tohu Harris is set to make his 100th appearance for the club.
Hosts eye slice of club history
The Warriors will be looking to notch their first seven-game winning streak since 2002 when they face the Dragons in Auckland on Friday.
Stacey Johns skippered the side to a minor premiership in 2002 as well as their maiden Grand Final appearance.
A win will also secure them a top four berth for the first time since 2007.
