Matchday Details
Saturday 9 August – 7:35pm (AEST) – Accor Stadium, Sydney
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Adam Gee | Bunker: Matt Noyen
Bulldogs
1. Jacob Kiraz 2. Jethro Rinakama 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Josh Curran 17. Bailey Hayward 19. Mitchell Woods 20. Blake Wilson 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 22. Kurtis Morrin 23. Toby Sexton
Warriors
1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Marata Niukore 9. Samuel Healey 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Eddie Ieremia 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Freddy Lussick 21. Edward Kosi 22. Kayliss Fatialofa 23. James Fisher-Harris 25. Bunty Afoa
Match Preview
There may still be five weeks before the NRL finals officially arrive, but fans will get a sneak preview on Saturday night when the Bulldogs (3rd) and Warriors (4th) face off in a top 4 clash.
The potential ramifications from this game are huge as both teams hunt for the best finishing position they can.
The Bulldogs missed a huge opportunity to jump into the top 2 when they were stunned 28-14 by the Wests Tigers last weekend, while the Warriors last-second loss to the Dolphins was their fourth defeat in six games and leaves them just one point inside the top 4, with Penrith, Brisbane and Cronulla all breathing down their necks.
Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo has named the exact same 17 that went down to Wests in Round 22, with Lachlan Galvin named to start at halfback despite reported hand and foot complaints. Mitch Woods and Toby Sexton have both been named on the extended bench and could come into the side if Galvin is a late scratching.
Andrew Webster has been forced into one change with Jacob Laban joining a steadily growing casualty ward with a fractured leg. The good news for the Warriors is they get Chanel Harris-Tavita back from injury, with Te Maire Martin joining the bench. Mitch Healey retains his place as hooker with Wayde Egan still unavailable, but James Fisher-Harris has been named among the reserves as he chases an early return from injury.
Despite having the competition’s best defence, conceding just 16.84 points per game, the Bulldogs have had issues defending their left edge in recent weeks. The combination of Ratu Rinakama, Bronson Xerri, Viliame Kikau and Matt Burton have conceded seven tries in the past three matches, including four against the Tigers (albeit two from their own mistakes). The Warriors have had similar issues on their right edge, conceding a combined 26 tries to opposition left wingers and centres in 2025.
Handling was a major part of the Bulldogs issue on Sunday, completing at just 68% in the wet. The Warriors lead the league in completion rates, managing 82% across 2025.
The all-time record between the two teams is remarkably close, with the Bulldogs holding a slender 23-20 advantage in 45 matches (two draws) since 1995. The Bulldogs won both matches against the Warriors in 2024, despite trailing at half time in both, though breaking a six-game Warriors winning streak that began in 2019. Five of the Bulldogs last eight wins against the Warriors have come despite trailing at half time.
The Bulldogs hold a slight advantage at Accor Stadium, 6-4 in 11 matches (one draw), but have only won by more than four points at the venue once against the Warriors. They have won six of their eight games there this year but haven’t beaten a non-NSW side at Accor Stadium since beating the Warriors there in July last year, losing the past three against non-NSW teams. The Warriors have won four of their past five matches at the venue and are undefeated in NSW in 2025, winning all five of their matches in the state.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Bulldogs by 8
See our full Round 23 Predictions (live Wednesday 12pm) here: 2025 NRL Tipping: Round 23 Writer Predictions
Have your say: Who wins? Drop your tip in the comments or vote in our poll.
