Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 10 clash between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the New Zealand Warriors.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
St George-Illawarra Dragons Vs New Zealand Warriors
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Date: Saturday, May 10, 5:30 pm (ADST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Corey Allan 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lyhkan King-Togia 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Dylan Egan 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Jack de Belin 16. Luciano Leilua 17. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 18. Nathan Lawson 19. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Blake Lawrie 22. Finau Latu
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Taine Tuaupiki 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Jackson Ford 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Bunty Afoa 18. Te Maire Martin 20. Tanah Boyd 21. Tanner Stowers-Smith 22. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 23. Eddie Ieremia
Referee: Liam Kennedy
Bunker: Ashley Klein
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Dragons were looking to get back in the win column after the Anzac Day debacle against the Roosters, but they came up against a Tigers side who are making winning a habit. The Dragons started well, with young halfback Lyhkan King-Togia delivering a short pass for Dylan Egan to score their first try. Their second try was as good as their first, with Valentine Holmes scoring a try that made Fox League commentators compare him to the late Steve Rogers. But it was hard for the Dragons to pull them back once the Tigers hit the lead. They came close to drawing level, but time was their enemy in the end.
There is only one change for the Dragons after last week’s loss to the Tigers: forward Emre Guler is out after dislocating his shoulder.
The Warriors had a good win at Magic Round over the Cowboys. It looked like the Cowboys would be the first to score, but Taine Tuaupiki saved a try with an attempted intercept. The Warriors jumped out to a 10-nil lead through tries to Luke Metcalf and Edward Kosi. Another three tries to the Warriors had them leading 28-12 at halftime. The second half was all the Cowboys as they racked up 16 unanswered points after the Warriors kicked a penalty goal to start the half. The Cowboys looked like they would steal the game from the Warriors, but a try-saving tackle from Metcalf stopped that. The Warriors held on to win in a cracking contest.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will return from injury: he’s been named on the wing. Kurt Capewell has been named in the centres to replace Rocco Berry, who is out with a hamstring injury. Jacob Laban returns from concussion: he will start on the bench. Edward Kosi is out with a chest injury. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who has been out with a hamstring injury, has been named as a reserve.
The Warriors, especially halves Metcalf and Tevita-Harris, have been on fire this season. It will be a big ask for King-Togia and Kyle Flannagan to try to stop their opposite numbers. King-Togia played well last week and showed he has a bright future ahead. He will need to back it against the Warriors. King-Togia won’t be able to do it alone – the senior players must help him.
The Dragons have a great one-two punch combination with Damien Cook and Jacob Liddle. Liddle was almost the difference maker last week: he may be just as vital this weekend.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Warriors by 10 points.
Check out our round 10 predictions here.
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