Bulldogs 24 - 12 Warriors
FULLTIME: The Bulldogs win their first match of 2017, beating the Warriors 24-12 in Dunedin. The Bulldogs make over 50 tackles inside their 20, and somehow still win. The Warriors looked predictable and made some poor choices. The Bulldogs thoroughly deserved the win.
78mins: The Bulldogs look like they want to score one more to put the icing on the cake. The Dogs still look hungry, while the Warriors look lifeless.
75mins: TRY BULLDOGS: Brett Morris crosses the line for his second to wrap up the match. The Bulldogs get two offloads in before finding Morris and runs right around the men on the outside.
74mins: But the Bulldogs make a mistake, and the Warriors now attack. Sadly the Warriors attack still looks flat and you can tell the pressure is getting to them as Isaac Luke makes a silly mistake from dummy half.
73mins: The Warriors look tired. Many players with hands on hips in the closing stages of the game. The Warriors spot a gap and run towards it, but they leave the ball behind.
71mins: PENALTY GOAL BULLDOGS: The Dogs now lead by six points with eight minutes to go.
70mins: The Warriors give away a penalty in front of the posts, and James Graham wants to take the two points to make it a six-point game
69mins: The Warriors put the ball high, and Brett Morris makes a wonderful catch. The Dogs make over 50 metres off the set and put pressure on Lolohea who spills the ball. The Dogs have the ball close to the line and look likely to score.
67mins: That try has given the Bulldogs new life, and they make some aggressive runs through the middle through their massive forwards.
65mins: TRY BULLDOGS: The Doggies take the lead. Marcelo Montoya scores on debut. The Dogs shift it left, and Josh Morris makes a great draw and passes to Montoya who puts his side back in front.
63mins: Average set to back up the try from the Warriors, but the try finally has given them the confidence to throw the ball around. Abbey nearly makes another mistake at the back, but the Doggies survive.
61mins: TRY WARRIORS: Shaun Johnson crosses the line to tie that match up. Johnson finds Thompson who offloads back infield to Johnson who is unmarked. Great try by the Warriors who need points to show for their dominance on the attack. Johnson adds the extra's and the away side takes the lead.
59mins: Both sides continue to attack, but neither side has yet to crack. On the last play for the Warriors, Johnson puts the ball high into the sky and Abbey plays at the ball, and it travels forward. Another chance for the Warriors to score. Surely this will be their chance to put points on the scoreboard.
57mins: The Warriors fail to do anything with the repeat set. Poor attack by the Warriors, but great defence by the Bulldogs.
55mins: Hingano kicks on the last, and it was played at, and they will get a fresh set of sit. This is incredible goal line defence by the Doggies.
54mins: Manu Vautuvi has just left the field due to injury. It is suspected it is his knee. The Warriors kick the ball downfield, and the Bulldogs make another mistake close to the line. Warriors will get another chance tp post points.
52mins: A poor end to the set. Shaun Johnson tries to throw a miracle ball over the top, but the Bulldogs gather possession. The Warriors defence holds firm on the next set, and they don't make much ground.
51mins: Warriors win a penalty, and they have a fresh set 10 metres out from the line. The big forwards continue to attack, but can't break through.
49mins: Both sides have great sets following the dissalowed try. The Warriors kick on the last and Maumalo gathers and kicks the forward. Brad Abbey is forced to punch the ball dead. However if the Maumalo passess to his left, Fusitu'a would have scored.
47mins: The Warriors do their razzle - dazzle stuff and somehow are awarded a fresh set of six. Solomone Kata crosses the line and is claiming a try. But the referee is checking for obstruction Kata. Picks the ball up and runs into Hoffman to cross the line. The try is quickly disallowed.
46mins: The Warriors do their razzle - dazzle stuff and soemhow are awardedda fresh set of six.
45mins: The Warriors kick on the last, and the ball bounces poorly for Brad Abbey, and he spills the ball. Warriors have a scrum 10 metres out from the line. They must score here.
43mins: Bulldogs knock the ball on on the final play. The Warriors make decent ground off the set. Johnson puts the ball high, and the ball sits up for Brad Abbey who makes a nice return.
41mins: Solid first set by the Warriors, but on the last tackle, Johnson's clearance kick was charged down and goes into touch. But the referee says not played at the Doggies get good field possession to start the set.
40mins: The second half is underway in Dunedin with the Bulldogs leading by four. Can the Dogs hold on, or will the Warriors stage a second half comeback?
HALFTIME: After leading 6-0, the Warriors conceded two late tries and take a four-point lead into the break. The Warriors look shaky on attack and average on defence. They missed some opportunities to score.
39mins: Bulldogs receive the ball from the kickoff, and they will just take it easy to end the half. A half which the Warriors have dominated but have nothing to show for it.
37mins: TRY BULLDOGS: Brett Morris crossed the line. They push the ball left and caught the Warriors napping on defence and Morris blitz passes Ken Maumalo to score in the corner. Great try by the Doggies. The conversion misses to the left.
36mins: Goal line dropout to the Warriors. The Doggies put a grubber in goal and Kata is forced to put the ball dead.
34mins: The Bulldogs have an overlap on the right wing, the Doggies stuff up the play and the ball go to ground. The referee rules it came off a Warriors hand, and the home side will have a scrum. Ryan Hoffman has blood all over his face and is forced to head to the blood bin.
33mins: The Bulldogs are making more ground off their sets now and applying, even more, pressure on the Warriors. They drive Lolohea and Kata to the ground off consecutive plays.
31mins: That try has given the Bulldogs some confidence as they make excellent ground on off the next set. On the last tackle, Maumalo jumps for the ball, and it slips out of his hands, but he manages to regather possession.
28mins: TRY BULLDOGS: A try from nothing for the Bulldogs. Greg Eastwood gets an offload to Mbye and dances his way over the line, stepping Sam Lisone, Ken Maumalo and Tui Lolohea. Great try by the home side. The halfback converts his own try.
27mins: Another poor end to the set from the Warriors and the Bulldogs win a penalty. Slight concerts for the Doggies with Brett Morris down in backfield with a knee injury.
26mins: Josh Reynolds gives away a dumb penalty. Lolohea was tackled, and the Bulldogs five-eight dives on top of the hapless fullback. Warriors start the set inside the Bulldogs half and make very quick ground.
24mins: A poor end to the set from the Bulldogs which has everything and I mean everything. James Graham attempts a crossfield kick, and it does not go to plan. Warriors regain possession.
23mins: Momentum is now will the Bulldogs after the Warriors give away another penalty. The Bulldogs start the set 10 metres out from the line. Three plays later, the Warriors give away another penalty!
21mins: The Bulldogs put a kick in on the last, but Maumalo reads the play and safely gather the ball. But the winger makes a mistake while hitting the ball up a few plays later. Bulldogs scrum.
19mins: Decent set by the Warriors and the Bulldogs will look to build some pressure after having no ball. After three tackles they win a penalty and will start the set inside the Warriors half.
16mins: TRY WARRIORS: The try has been awarded, and after plenty of chances to score, the Warriors have finally broken through. Johnson adds the extra's
15mins: The Bulldogs defence has been outstanding so far, but on the last tackle a crazy sequence transpires, and they have to check it. Lolohea stabs the kick in, and Josh Reynolds tries to kick the ball away but Bodene Thompson wins the race, and it looks like it will be awarded.
14mins: David Klemmer is in trouble for a stupid tackle on David Fusitu'a. He comes flying out and smacks him. The tackle has been described as a 'fish hook' tackle. The Warriors will start the set inside the Bulldogs half again!
13mins: Last tackle, Hingano puts it high towards Vatuvei's wing, but Marcelo Montoya wins the leap and makes a nice run before getting pulled down.
11mins: But of the next set David Klemmer spills the ball on the first tackle. The Warriors go on the attack again. They have to capitalize on these Bulldogs mistakes. They have only completed two sets in the match so far.
11mins: Shaun Johnson slips and stabs a grubber kick in goal. Maumalo was very late chasing but wins the chase to the ball, but bounces it. So the Bulldogs survive again.
9mins: Great end to the set by the Warriors a nice crossfield kick and the
8mins: Another penalty to the Warriors for being inside the 10. Johnson boots the ball downfield and they will start the set inside the Bulldogs half.
7mins: Poor end to the set from the Warriors. Johnson puts the kick high and Manu contests but Lolohea taps the ball forward, and the Bulldogs survive.
5mins: Ata Hingano spots a gap but are smashed by Josh Jackson, but the referee thinks it was a high tackle and the away side will get another chance to attack early on.
4mins: Shaun Johnson slips close to the line, and the ball is nearly picked off but Manu Vatuvei saves the day, and the tackle count is reset close to the try line.
3mins: The Bulldogs end the set with a poor kick and the Warriors return with two great runs, before being awarded a penalty. Sloppy start from both sides.
2mins: Poor end to the set by the Warriors. The Bulldogs go right on the attack and make great ground.
KICKOFF: We are underway in Dunedin. The Warriors get the match started kicking the ball to Reynolds, and James Graham takes the first hit-up. Then off the second play, the Bulldogs make a mistake, and the Warriors have an early scrum 20 metres the line
8:00pm: Ryan Hoffman leads the Warriors out onto a packed Foryth Barr Stadium. The Bulldogs come out shortly after.
7:57pm: Kiwis forward Greg Eastwood will be playing his 150th NRL match for the Bulldogs tonight. The 30-year old also played 64 games for the Brisbane Broncos.
7:55pm: The Bulldogs will be looking for their first win of the season. Things could be interesting with former Junior Warrior Brad Abbey making his NRL debut for the Bulldogs tonight in place of Will Hopoate.
Hello and welcome to live updates of the Canterbury Bulldogs hosting the New Zealand Warriors at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
We bring you live streaming written commentary, video highlights (be sure to refresh your browser) and all the action. VIDEO will be available as soon as the final whistle goes.
Commentary will start from around 8:00pm (NZT). In the meantime check out the video above for a preview of tonight's match.
Lineups
Bulldogs
1. Brad Abbey, 2. Brett Morris, 3. Josh Morris, 4. Brenko Lee, 5. Marcelo Montoya, 6.Josh Reynolds, 7. Moses Mbye, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Michael Lichaa, 10. James Graham, 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Greg Eastwood, 13. David Klemmer
Interchange - 14. Sam Kasiano, 15. Danny Fualalo, 16. Adam Elliott, 17. Raymond Faitala-Marriner
Warriors
21. Tui Lolohea, 2. Ken Maumalo, 3. Solomone Kata, 4. David Fusitu'a, 5. Manu Vatuvei , 6. Mafoa'aeata Hingano, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Albert Vete, 9. Issac Luke, 10. Jacob Lillyman, 11. Bodene Thompson, 12. Ryan Hoffman (c), 13. Simon Mannering
Interchange - 14. Erin Clark, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Charlie Gubb, 17 Bunty Afoa
Match facts and stats
Referees: Gavin Badger and Jon Stone
Sideline officials: Tim Roby and Anthony Elliot
Review officials: Steve Chiddy and Luke Patten
*Head to head: Played 34, Bulldogs 19, Warriors 13, drawn 2
Last time played: Warriors 24 def Bulldogs 20, April 26 2016
Head-to-head: Bulldogs- $2.05 Warriors - $1.70
*Stats from NRL.com
Pre-match banter - Bulldogs coach Des Hasler desperate for two-points against the Warriors in Dunedin
A trip across the Tasman is more like a homecoming than a venture into enemy territory for the Canterbury Bulldogs, and Friday night will be a chance for the Sydney based NRL side to end their winless run against the wounded Warriors in front of a 'home' crowd in New Zealand.
A club rich in NRL success has seen a number of Kiwi players plying their trade for the 'Doggies, names such as Nigel Vagana, Sam Perrett, Daryl Halligan and Jarrod McCracken among their favourite sons. The current crop includes Kiwi internationals Sam Kasiano, Chase Stanley and Greg Eastwood as well as former Warrior Raymond Faitala-Mariner, and their current CEO is former Netball New Zealand boss Raelene Castle.
The Bulldogs have hosted a number of games in New Zealand since 1995, often at Westpac Stadium in Wellington and this weekend bring the first ever NRL match to Dunedin at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Coach Des Hasler says the relationship goes back a long way, and bringing a game to a sports mad city is a no-brainer.
"For a long time the Bulldogs have had a very strong tie to New Zealand in Rugby League," said Hasler.
"It's probably one of the highest rating grounds as far as performance is concerned, yes it's a rugby stronghold, but they love their sport down here and I think it is a very good initiative to bring a game to Dunedin."
The Bulldogs have zero points from their opening two games of the season against the Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters, and Hasler eager to get off the mark against the New Zealand side.
"There has been merit in our performances but we walked away without points, and although it's still early, a win here is pretty important against a Warriors side that is 1-1. We need to come away with a win."
Hasler said the side has been a little bit shocked by the icy-cold conditions since arriving in the deep South on Wednesday but all things should be even come game-time under a closed roof.
The Warriors will be without skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck who has failed to recover from a concussion against the Storm last weekend; 2016 captain Ryan Hoffman will lead the side in his absence.
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