NRLW Warriors v Dragons: Poko the key in historic home clash

Author: Alicia Newton NRLW Reporter
Timestamp: Sun 22 Sep 2019, 12:33 PM

The Warriors host St George Illawarra in round two of the Holden Women's Premiership at Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday, for the first time in NRLW history.

First-round winners the Warriors were impressive against the Roosters and now get their chance to play a standalone fixture in front of friends and family in Auckland.

A victory could book the Warriors into the 2019 grand final if results go their way, while a Dragons victory will keep them in reach of making the decider.

Round 2 - Round 2 - Sunday 22 Sep

Full Time

Warriors

Dragons

Venue: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland

Highlights Latest

The Rundown

Team news

Warriors: Onjeurlina Leiataua has been elevated to the starting line-up at second row along with left winger Roela Radiniyavuni. Tyler Reid has been promoted from the reserves to the bench with Kathleen Wharton-Keremete dropping dfrom the second row to the interchange.

Dragons: The Dragons have brought in Rikeya Horne from the reserves to the right wing, while Keeley Davis has also been elevated into the starting side at five-eighth. Najvada George and Aaliyah Fasavalu-Fa'amusili are the new faces on the interchange.

Round 2 - Round 2 - Sunday 22 Sep

Full Time

Warriors

Dragons

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Apii Nicholls

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Botille Vette-Welsh
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Hilda Peters

Winger for Dragons is number 5 Shakiah Tungai
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Atawhai Tupaea

Centre for Dragons is number 3 Jessica Sergis
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Jules Newman

Centre for Dragons is number 4 Tiana Penitani
Winger for Warriors is number 18 Roela Radiniyavuni

Winger for Dragons is number 19 Rikeya Horne
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Timaima Ravisa

Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 14 Keeley Davis
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Charntay Poko

Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Maddie Studdon

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala

Prop for Dragons is number 10 Maitua Feterika
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Krystal Rota

Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Brittany Breayley-Nati
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Aieshaleigh Smalley

Prop for Dragons is number 17 Ngatokotoru Arakua
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Crystal Tamarua

2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Kezie Apps
2nd Row for Warriors is number 24 Onjeurlina Leiataua

2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Shaylee Bent
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Georgia Hale

Lock for Dragons is number 13 Holli Wheeler

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 11 Kathleen Wharton

Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Takilele Katoa
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Kanyon Paul

Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Maddison Weatherall
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Billy-Jean Ale

Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Najvada George
Interchange for Warriors is number 25 Tyler Reid

Interchange for Dragons is number 21 Aaliyah Fasavalu-Fa'amausili

Match Officials

Referee: Kasey Badger
Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara

Last updated: 12/19/2023 9:04:46 PM

Key match-up

They're team-mates at international level but now Annetta Nuuausala and Maitua Feterika will go head-to-head in a front-row battle that could play a huge part in the game. Both forwards like to stamp their authority early. The Warriors did a job on the Roosters forward pack and the Dragons should expect a similar challenge.

For the Warriors to win

The creativity of Charntay Poko was the difference against the Roosters last start and the Warriors will be relying on her combination with Timaima Ravisa to keep on improving. If Poko can produce a similar game on home turf then the Dragons could be chasing their season in the final round of the competition.

For the Dragons to win

Put simply they need to just hold the ball. They had plenty of chances against the Broncos but were their own worst enemies with a 62 per cent completion rate in the second half. It was always going to take time for the side to jell but it's time they don't have in such a short competition.

Tarsha Gale says ...

This will be the first NRLW game to be held in New Zealand and the Warriors are looking forward to the home ground advantage. They are coming off an impressive win last week against the Roosters. It looks like the odds are stacked against the Dragons, but I'm predicting an upset. The forwards, led by Kezie Apps, will all find that little bit extra to make up for the loss of Teuila Fotu-Moala. Dragons by 4

Stat Attack

The kicking game of Poko was enormous for the Warriors with a whopping 515 metres off the boot. However, Poko was the only player in the line-up to kick the ball against the Roosters, which should allow the Dragons to focus on her as the main playmaker in terms of kick pressure.