Friday’s first NRL 2018 Round 7 match is between New Zealand Warriors and St George Illawarra Dragons. The opening kick is set to commence at 18:00 local time with the game to be played at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland. The home team New Zealand Warriors are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between New Zealand Warriors and St George Illawarra Dragons.

When: 18:00 | Friday 20/04/2018

Where: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland

Preview:

Top-of-the-table clash that will be an absolute thriller.

It’s fair to say in last week’s game, the Warriors were down in energy.

This may be because of the first six weeks of play taking its toll or even a little bit of complacency creeping in having been undefeated.

This area is yet to come across the Dragons and it may just be this week?

I’m looking for a response from NZ.

I’m finding it hard to come up with a winner in this one.

KEY BATTLE: Warriors forwards v Dragons forwards

The creative tough edge the Dragons’ forward pack is playing with up against the size and enthusiasm of the Warriors younger brigade sets to be a real challenge.

The Verdict

Can’t wait for the battle of the two in-form halves going head-to-head.

Experience and class with flair and skill will see Gareth Widdop and Ben Hunt win this battle.
Strap yourself in.

The Dragons have a 4-14 (22.2 percent) O/U record as an away favourite in night matches since 2011.

Unibet Odds:

New Zealand at $2.02

St. George-Illawarra at $1.80

Odds:

OFFER: Deposit $50 BET with $200 via this link – Ends Soon!

Tip: New Zealand Warriors at $2.50

Value Tip: First Try Scorer: David Fusitua at $10

More Info:

Teams:

Warriors:

1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), 2 David Fusit’a, 3 Peta Hiku, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Ken Maumalo, 6 Blake Green, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 Bunty Afoa, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Agnatius Paasi, 11 Simon Mannering, 12 Tohu Harris, 13 Adam Blair Interchange: 14 Jazz Tevaga, 15 Sam Lisone, 16 Albert Vete, 17 Anthony Gelling Reserves: 18 Chris Satae, 20 Mason Lino, 21 Isaiah Papali’i, 22 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Dragons:

1 Matthew Dufty, 2 Nene Macdonald, 3 Euan Aitken, 4 Tim Lafai, 5 Jason Nightingale, 6 Gareth Widdop (c), 7 Ben Hunt, 8 James Graham, 9 Cameron McInnes, 10 Paul Vaughan, 11 Tyson Frizell, 12 Tariq Sims, 13 Jack De Belin Interchange: 14 Jeremy Latimore, 15 Kurt Mann, 16 Leeson Ah Mau, 17 Hame Sele Reserves: 18 Jacob Host, 19 Zachary Lomax, 20 Mitchell Allgood, 21 Blake Lawrie

NRL News:

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has lent his support to exiled Manly utility Jackson Hastings, four seasons after he gave him his NRL debut.

Robinson handed Hastings his debut as an 18-year-old ahead of the 2014 finals series, and even placed his faith in the youngster when he opted against re-signing proven winner James Maloney at the end of 2015.

But less than three years later Hastings’ career is at the crossroads, having been dumped back to reserve grade indefinitely after Manly claimed there’d been a number of issues since his arrival at the start of last year.

Hastings affirmed his “hundred per cent” commitment to returning to first grade this season when approached by reporters at training for feeder club Blacktown on Wednesday.

He also said he could work with Sea Eagles captain Daly Cherry-Evans, with whom he had clashed with.

“I’m fully committed to doing whatever it takes to get back into that first grade team,” he told Fairfax Media.

The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) are also monitoring the situation, with Manly keen to continue to offer support to the 22-year-old after coach Trent Barrett admitted he’d likely spend the rest of the year at Blacktown.

And when quizzed on the matter, Robinson admitted Hastings also had trouble fitting in with the Roosters playing group before he was released at the end of 2016.

“He obviously had some issues here at different times,” Robinson said.

“The only thing I would say is it sometimes easier to forgive someone when they do commit a crime and then say sorry and come back.

“Jackson’s not a bad guy, he doesn’t do anything wrong. He’s not doing anything wrong there. Obviously he just needs to work on team environment.

“He’s not going to misbehave. He never has.”

The situation has also been particularly tough for Barrett, who has known Hastings since his teenage years.

Barrett revealed on Wednesday there had been documented issues for 12 months – including a meeting with his manager, the RLPA, and welfare officers in February – before it’s all culminated in two altercations with Cherry-Evans earlier this month.

But Robinson was confident the playmaker would have strong support base around him.

“Jackson is a strong individual,” Robinson said.

“He’s got a good family support around him, so I would say they would be supporting him strongly right now.

“His mum is a really good lady and has been there through a lot with him. She would be the main support right now.”

Meanwhile, NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said on Wednesday he would leave the issue largely to Manly.

“For me that’s a matter between a player and his club and I’d expect them to do that,” he said.

“It’s not dissimilar to what might happen at a number of clubs over the course of the season.”