Having slipped out of the top four on the back of three straight losses, the Warriors face a dangerous opponent in the Dragons who have taken on the role of giant killers in the past fortnight.
After a season characterised by narrow losses the Dragons have buried those demons with hard-fought wins over the Raiders and Sharks to move within two games of the top eight with four games to play.
While they appear destined to come up just short, Shane Flanagan's men would love nothing better than playing spoiler against the Warriors this week and Sea Eagles in Round 26 before confronting Penrith in Round 27.
The Warriors have lost their past two home games against the Titans and Dolphins so the motivation will be high to put in a big one for their loyal fans on Friday.
Another defeat could see the Warriors drop as low as seventh if the Broncos and Sharks come up with victories.
Match: Warriors v Dragons
Round 24 -
home Team
Warriors
5th Position
away Team
Dragons
12th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Team News
Warriors: A concussion to Te Maire Martin has seen Tanah Boyd return to the side to partner Chanel Harris-Tavita in the halves. Wayde Egan is also set to return from a shoulder injury in a major boost for Andrew Webster's side, however veteran Kurt Capewell has been ruled out with a concussion. No changes in Thursday's 24-hour update with Freddy Lussick the 18th man.
Dragons: A change on Thursday with Michael Molo (ankle) dropping out and replaced on the bench by Jacob Halangahu. Centre Mat Feagai is on track to return from a groin injury to offset the loss of Moses Suli to a knee injury. Winger Christian Tuipulotu completed his comeback from a hamstring injury in NSW Cup last week and remained in the squad when it was trimmed to 19. Hulking forward Loko Pasifiki Tonga has been added to the bench for his first game since Round 18.
Match: Warriors v Dragons
Round 24 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine TuaupikiFullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Dragons is number 5 Corey Allan
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Adam PompeyCentre for Dragons is number 3 Hayden Buchanan
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadCentre for Dragons is number 4 Mathew Feagai
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-SheckWinger for Dragons is number 22 Christian Tuipulotu
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Lyhkan King-Togia
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Tanah BoydHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Dragons is number 8 Emre Guler
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien Cook
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jackson FordProp for Dragons is number 10 David Klemmer
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Leka Halasima2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Hamish Stewart
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Samuel HealeyInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Jacob Halangahu
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Hame Sele
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tanner Stowers-SmithInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Loko Pasifiki Tonga
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Freddy LussickReplacement for Dragons is number 2 Tyrell Sloan
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Warriors have won three of their past four games against the Dragons.
- The Dragons have not won in New Zealand since 2017.
- The Warriors have lost four of their last five games at Go Media Stadium.
- Dragons lock Jack De Belin will make his 250th NRL appearance.
- Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored seven tries in his last six games against the Dragons.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
