The St George Illawarra Dragons face the New Zealand Warriors in Round 12 of the 2026 NRL season. This preview covers team news, key matchups and our prediction for the clash at Jubilee Stadium.
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Matchday Details
Saturday, 23 May 2026 – 5:30pm AEST – St George Venues Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah
📺 Broadcast: Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Adam Gee | Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Dragons: 1. Clint Gutherson, 2. Setu Tu, 3. Jaydn Su’A, 4. Valentine Holmes, 5. Christian Tuipulotu, 6. Daniel Atkinson, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga, 9. Damien Cook (c), 10. Toby Couchman, 11. Dylan Egan, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Ryan Couchman, 14. Luciano Leilua, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Josh Kerr, 17. Blake Lawrie, 18. Tyrell Sloan, 19. Lyhkan King-Togia, 20. Hayden Buchanan, 21. Hame Sele, 22. Tyler Peckham-Harris
Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Te Maire Martin, 8. James Fisher-Harris (c), 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark, 14. Sam Healey, 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 18. Luke Hanson, 20. Marata Niukore, 21. Kayliss Fatialofa, 22. Makaia Tafua, 23. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Match Preview
This shapes as a complete mismatch on paper, with the high-flying Warriors sitting second on the ladder and the Dragons still searching for their first win of 2026. For New Zealand, this is more than just two competition points – it’s an opportunity to boost their for-and-against, which could prove crucial in the race for a top-four finish.
The Warriors enter the Origin period as one of the competition’s form sides, chasing a ninth win of the season and riding a five-game winning streak. That run began with a statement victory over Melbourne at AAMI Park and was most recently reinforced by a dominant 42–12 dismantling of Brisbane at Magic Round. There’s a level of confidence and continuity in how they’re playing right now – something they’ll be keen to maintain after last year’s mid-season fade from an 8–2 start into a sixth-place finish.
In contrast, the Dragons’ season has unraveled. Ten straight losses to open 2026 has extended their overall losing streak to 14 matches, edging closer to Newcastle’s 19-game skid from 2016–17. The worrying trend is not just the losses, but the margins – beaten by 20+ points in three consecutive weeks, with the scoreline against Penrith at Magic Round only kept respectable due to wet-weather conditions and a more conservative Panthers approach.
In terms of team news, the Warriors have been dealt a significant setback with Tanah Boyd ruled out for the season with an ACL injury. However, they are bolstered by the potential return of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, named in the reserves, while Chanel Harris-Tavita’s long-term commitment provides further stability. They remain without key names including Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Rocco Berry. For the Dragons, there are some welcome inclusions – Tyrell Sloan returns via the bench and Jaydn Su’A slots into the centres — but they remain without several regulars including Moses Suli.
The Warriors hold a clear edge across the park, built on a powerful middle rotation and explosive outside backs. Their forward pack, led by James Fisher-Harris and well supported by the tireless Jackson Ford and damaging Leka Halasima, should generate consistent ruck speed and field position. That platform will allow the Warriors to play direct through the middle before shifting to the edges, where their strike weapons can capitalise.
For the Dragons, the challenge starts through the middle. If they can’t contain the Warriors’ pack, they risk being compressed defensively and exposed out wide. Their back row – particularly Dylan Egan and Hamish Stewart – will need to lift significantly after a quiet outing last week, while the overall pack must offer more resistance to slow the ruck and limit second-phase play.
St George Illawarra’s best attacking threats last week came through Setu Tu and Christian Tuipulotu, and they loom as the most likely avenues to trouble the Warriors. Both players need early ball and space to be effective, and if the Dragons are to compete, their game plan must prioritise getting them into attacking situations. Too often this season, the Dragons have relied on individual brilliance rather than building structured attacking pressure – something that has stifled their ability to convert opportunities into points.
Defensively, the Dragons edges will be under immense pressure. The combination of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Alofiana Khan-Pereira brings speed and finishing ability, and if the Warriors generate quick play-the-balls, they’ll create overlaps and mismatches. While Tu and Tuipulotu may offer some resistance, sustained pressure is likely to expose cracks.
Ultimately, the difference in cohesion, confidence and execution between these two sides is stark. The Warriors have a clear system and identity, while the Dragons continue to look disjointed – a gap that is likely to widen as the game progresses.
Tyler Peckham-Harris has been named among the reserves and could be in line to make his NRL debut.
The Dragons hold a 25–14 advantage in the overall head-to-head since 1999, but this will be just the fifth meeting between the sides at Kogarah, with previous results split evenly. Their last clash at the venue came in 2022, when the Dragons overturned a halftime deficit to secure a 24–18 win.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Warriors by 30
Bold call: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scores a double as the Warriors run riot down the edges in the second half.
Related
- NRL Round 11 Review
- NRL Round 12 Predictions
- NRL Round 12 Team Lists
- NRL Round 12 Hub
- NRL Injury List
- NRL Match Review Tracker
For full State of Origin coverage, see our series hub → /state-of-origin/2026-series/
