NRL Round 3 Preview and Prediction - Canterbury Bulldogs v New Zealand Warriors @ Forsyth Bar Stadium
Canterbury Bulldogs v New Zealand Warriors @ Forsyth Barr Stadium
Preview - The Bulldogs will be desperate for their first victory of the season as they travel to Dunedin to take on the Warriors. The gamble to take a home game to New Zealand and effectively giving up the home ground advantage will be put to the test here for a Club under pressure sitting at 0-2. Despite some competitive and promising performances against the Storm and Roosters, the Bulldogs have suffered narrow defeats, and off contract coach Des Hasler needs a victory to keep the wolves at bay. The Warriors were no match for the Melbourne Storm last week losing 26-10 in atrocious conditions at Mount Smart Stadium.
History - The Bulldogs have an imposing record across the ditch having won 15 from 23 games in New Zealand against the Warriors. Despite winning 5 of their last 6 clashes against the Warriors, they were beaten in the corresponding fixture last season 24-20.
Canterbury Bulldogs Scouting Report - It's an exciting week in some respects for Bulldogs fans with both Brad Abbey and Marcelo Montoya making their debuts at fullback and wing respectively. With both Will Hopoate and Kerrod Holland out injured, Des Hasler has turned to youth, with Abbey making his debut against the Club he spent most of his time as a junior. Twenty-one year old Montoya is a Fijian winger who is a local junior at the Bulldogs and has played plenty of NSW Cup for the Club.
New Zealand Warriors Scouting Report - The Warriors have been rocked by the late withdrawal of Rodger Tuivasa-Sheck to injury. Meanwhile Steven Kearney has decided two rounds was enough before making some changes and he has reacted by bringing some extra experience into the Warriors starting side. Manu Vatuvei is back on the wing in favour of Tuimoala Lolohea whilst seasoned forwards Bodene Thompson and Jacob Lillyman have both been promoted from the interchange bench.
Verdict - Bulldogs by 1-6 in a High Scoring Game
How can you trust the Warriors, honestly? I am going to go for an upset here and the Bulldogs, despite missing a couple of players and taking this home game on the road, to cause an upset. I just think the Bulldogs’ pack can really get on top of the Warriors here and I think the loss of Hopoate and Holland might be a bit overrated. Bulldogs’ fans have been calling for an injection of youth and a change of style of football and there were some good signs despite the loss last week against the Roosters. I just can't trust the Warriors based on what I have seen. They have given up some really soft tries and do they have it in them to play a consistent 80 minutes of football? Not for mine.