WIN Stadium will play host to Friday's Round 7 NRL game between St. George Illawarra Dragons and New Zealand Warriors. The game kicks off at 6:00 pm with New Zealand Warriors heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. New Zealand Warriors game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday April 19, 2024 at 6:00 pm
Where: WIN Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs New Zealand Warriors Odds
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs New Zealand Warriors Preview
St George Illawarra is unquestionably an improved unit under Shane Flanagan, but consistency has been elusive amid an encouraging 3-3 start.
The Dragons outlasted Wests Tigers 24-12 at Campbelltown last Sunday, on the back of an inspired display from exiting winger Zac Lomax.
That result added to wins over Gold Coast and Manly but after both previous victories, the Saints suffered losses by 20-plus margins to mid-level teams.
The Dragons get a chance to prove their week-to-week mettle against one of the NRLs most reliable outfits.
The Warriors are on a four-match unbeaten run, recovering from 16-0 down in the first half and an eight-point deficit with a minute left to salvage a 22-all draw with Manly last Saturday.
It was arguably the Warriors worst game of the year overall, but their performance floor remains high enough to beat most teams in the competition on any given day.
Shaun Johnson and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad kept them in the game, as did a monumental defensive workload from an indefatigable pack.
Tidying up the uncustomary defensive lapses on both edges and simple errors will be Andrew Websters work-ons this week.
The Dragons only change sees Lomax move to centre for the injured Jack Bird with Christian Tuipolotu the new face on the wing.
The Warriors middle forward stocks have been further depleted by Jazz Tevagas injury. Adam Pompey joins the bench in their only change but expect a late reshuffle.
After struggling in this rivalry for almost 20 years, the Warriors have won seven of their last 10 against the Dragons.
They prevailed 48-18 in Wollongong in Round 17 last year including a four-try haul from Dallin-Watene Zelezniak and grinded out an ugly 18-6 win at home in Round 26.
DWZ also collected two tries against Manly, his seventh brace in 24 games, the Warriors two most cohesive attacking performances of 2024 were in their two games in Australia theyll be confident of picking apart a Saints defence that has leaked 30-plus points on three occasions.
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St. George Illawarra Dragons vs New Zealand Warriors Tip
We're tipping New Zealand Warriors to win at $1.44 odds.
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs New Zealand Warriors Teams
Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Hame Sele 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Jesse Marschke 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Jack de Belin 17. Ben Murdoch-Masila 18. Michael Molo 19. Mathew Feagai 20. Toby Couchman 21. Viliami Fifita 22. Fa’amanu Brown
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Tohu Harris 14. Chanel Harris-Tavita 15. Tom Ale 16. Jacob Laban 17. Adam Pompey 18. Zyon Maiu’u 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Ali Leiataua 22. Edward Kosi 23. Paul Roache
