New Zealand Warriors vs Canterbury Bulldogs Tips & Predictions – Warriors to win on Johnson farewell in NRL
New Zealand Warriors vs Canterbury Bulldogs expert predictions for Friday’s Round 25 NRL game Shaun Johnson plays his final home game for the Warriors Warriors expected to cover the 7.5-point spread
New Zealand Warriors vs Canterbury Bulldogs Preview
Shaun Johnson plays his final home game in New Zealand and the Warriors are backed to mark the occasion with a win. The hosts can cover with a 7.5-point start.
New Zealand had won all six games played against Canterbury between 2019-2023.
A 87th minute field goal by Matt Burton handed the Bulldogs the win in round 18 with the pair locked at 12-12 after 80 minutes.
New Zealand Warriors Form
The Warriors went into the sheds 10-all against Manly last weekend at Brookvale and looked in really good shape, however, Tom Trbojevic stole the show in the second half and New Zealand couldn’t find their spark in attack, losing the match 24-10.
It was the Warriors third straight defeat and their seventh in their past 10 matches.
From a betting trends perspective, the Warriors have been getting the job done recently, covering the line in five of their past seven matches, despite already being ruled out of finals contention.
New Zealand Warriors Team News
Wade Egan returns from an elbow injury pushing Freddy Lussick to the bench and Chanel Harris-Tavita out of the side.
New Zealand Warriors Team List
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Adam Pompey
4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
5. Marcelo Montoya
6. Luke Metcalf
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Wayde Egan
10. Mitch Barnett
11. Marata Niukore
12. Kurt Capewell
13. Dylan Walker
Interchange
14. Freddy Lussick
15. Tom Ale
16. Jazz Tevaga
17. Demitric Sifakula
Reserves
18. Chanel Harris-Tavita
20. Leka Halasima
21. Taine Tuaupiki
22. Edward Kosi
23. Bunty Afoa
Canterbury Bulldogs Form
Canterbury put in a 2024 Bulldogs performance against the Dolphins last week, wearing Wayne Bennett’s men down with their hard defence and owning 57% of possession and a whopping 66% of the territory.
With the Dolphins gassed the Bulldogs put their foot down and ran in two second half tries to put the match out of reach 30-10.
It is another match where the Doggies defence was the star and Matt Burton’s ability to pin their opposition in their own end from his perfect kicking game.
At this stage of the year all you can do is rant on about the near perfect Bulldogs defence that once again restricted their opposition to just one linebreak and only 10 points.
That makes them now the best defensive side in the comp, allowing an average of just 16 points per game in 2024 while conceding just 3.7 linebreaks per game.
Canterbury Bulldogs Team News
Josh Curran left the field with a shoulder injury last week and will be monitored throughout the week. Otherwise, Cameron Ciraldo has named an unchanged side.
Canterbury Bulldogs Team List
1. Connor Tracey
2. Jacob Kiraz
3. Bronson Xerri
4. Stephen Crichton
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Matt Burton
7. Toby Sexton
8. Josh Curran
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Sam Hughes
11. Viliame Kikau
12. Jacob Preston
13. Kurt Mann
Interchange
14. Bailey Hayward
15. Kurtis Morrin
16. Harry Hayes
17. Jaeman Salmon
Reserves
19. Jeral Skelton
20. Lipoi Hopoi
21. Eli Clark
22. Drew Hutchison
23. Max King
The Warriors can put up a strong performance against the Bulldogs and cover the line as the underdog. This match is expected to hit the under and Shaun Johnson is tipped score in his final home game for the Warriors.
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