WARRIORS 21 - 14 BULLDOGS
FULLTIME: The Warriors beat the Bulldogs 21-14. That is a rugby union score! It was an arm wrestle, but without Kieran Foran and without Issac Luke for 50 minutes, they did well to hold on. Win number seven for the Warriors
79mins: The Bulldogs throw it around with 40 seconds to go and they go very very close to scoring but the Warriors win the turnover.
78mins: TRY BULLDOGS: Kerrod Holland goes over in the corner. He takes a quick conversion and Holland lands it from the sideline.
77mins: Bulldogs win a penalty.
76mins: A poor end to the set by the Warriors as the clock counts down. Bulldogs scrum.
75mins: Johnson kicks the goal and the crowd roars!
74mins: TRY WARRIORS: The Warriors put the nail in the coffin as the captain goes over. Looked like it could have been a double movement but the Bunker said the replay was not conclusive to overturn. RTS darts from dummy half on the last and dives over.
73mins: The Bunker is back into the play again as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck goes over the line. Ashley Klien ruled it a try.
72mins: Warriors kick high on the last and it is a perfect kick but Kerrod Holland takes a great catch.
70mins: NO TRY WARRIORS: The Bunker rules the Warriors knocked the ball forward. Bulldogs survive once again.
69mins: Great set following the one-pointer. They kick high on the last and the Dogs let the ball bounce and Blake Ayshford picks it up and goes over. The Bunker will take a look.
68mins: FIELD GOAL WARRIORS: The Warriors now lead by seven as Shaun Johnson kicks a field goal. Very rare for the Warriros to kick one of those.
67mins: Messy end to the set by the Bulldogs after Chase Stanley gets off a poor kick.
66mins: Bulldogs attack and run the ball again on the last.
64mins: NO TRY WARRIORS: David Fusitu’a was offisde of the Bunker says no try.
63mins: Warriors go on the attack. After three tackles they are 20 out from the line. Last tackle they are five out. Johnson kicks on the last and the ball goes through the hands of Marcelo Montoya and Ken Maumalo dives over. Possible try to the home team.
62mins: The Warriors have a great chance to get back some momentum after the James Graham drops the ball inside the Warriors half.
61mins: Bulldogs with the ball again inside the Warriors half. Mbye kicks high again on the last and Ken Maumalo takes another great catch.
60mins: NO TRY BULLDOGS: Very close for the Dogs in Auckland. After throwing the ball around, Josh Jackson kicks on the last towards the posts and Greg Eastwood chases through and wins the race to the ball, but the Banker saw a little knock so the Warriors now have a seven tackle set.
59mins: Both sides follow up with great sets as we go close towards the final quarter of the game. The Bulldogs have the momentum right now. The throw the ball around on the last and they might have scored here.
57mins: Kerrod Holland runs the ball back from a Warriors kick and is smahed by Roache who has had a good game so far.
56mins: The Bulldogs kick the ball high towards Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and he takes a great catch. The Blackcaps should offer him a contract!
55mins: Kerrod Holland kicks the conversion and the Warriors lead 14-8.
54mins: TRY BULLDOGS: The try is given and the former Warriors has one against his former team. Good try to Raymond Faitala-Mariner.
54mins: Former Warrior Raymond Faitala-Mariner goes over the line and the Bunker will take a look.
53mins: Another penalty in front of the posts for the Dogs.
52mins: The Warriors turnover comes to nothing as they go out. At the scrum, both players start pushing as the rain starts to pour down.
51mins: But the great field advantage comes to nothing as David Klemmer drops the ball.
50mins: Bulldogs win a epnalty 15 out from the line, and they take the tap.
49mins: Josh Jackson is back on the park, as he runs back on the Warriors make a mistake.
48mins: It looks like the rain has stopped, but the surface is still wet. Great kick on the last by Moses Mbye and the Warriors run the ball back.
46mins: Warriors kick low again on the last but Will Hopoate reads the play and gets the ball. The Dogs make quick ground with the ball in hand.
45mins: Time is off as Adam Elliott is down injured after a high shot. Wasn't anything serious, but he will go off for a HIA.
44mins: The Warriors make a mistake as Ata Hingano drops the ball afte being smashed. Bulldogs scrum inside their half.
43mins: The conversion goes over the black dot and the Warriors lead by 12.
42mins: TRY WARRIORS: Blake Ayshford scores the Warriors second try! The kick the ball low and the centre dives on the ball and slides over. THat was Johnson's 14th try assist of 2017.
41mins: Poor first set by the Bulldogs who lose the ball. They had made good ground though.
40mins: The second half is underway in Auckland. The Bulldogs have first use of the ball. If you missed the news, Issac Luke has a dislocated shoulder and is unlikely to return.
HALFTIME: Interesting first half by both teams. The Warriors are on top but that injury to Issac Luke is a worry. Warriors lead 6-2 at the break.
40mins: PENALTY GOAL WARRIORS: Shaun Johnson kicks a penalty goal as the halftime siren sounds.
39mins: SIN BIN BULLDOGS: Josh Jackson is off to the bin just before the break. Nathaniel Roache makes the break and throws a perfect pass to Shaun Johnson, but he is tackled by Jackson who doesn't release and then the forward is going to the bin. It was a try saver.
38mins: The Warriors survive as Josh Jackson drops the ball, 10 metres from the line.
37mins: Bulldogs attacking and are inside the 10, three minutes away from halftime.
36mins: Big blow for the Warriors after Issac Luke has dislocated his shoulder! bad news for the Warriros as Luke is in excellent form.
35mins: Some poor passing by the Warriors and they go back on the fourth. Last play and the Warriors kick high but the ball goes forward off Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
34mins: Warriors win a penalty on the first tackle. Now they are marched another 10 metres back for bad language.
Next play they win another penalty. Both sides are fired up in the rain.
33mins: Time is off again as Josh Renolds is now down. James Gavet smashes the five-eight and he will have some ribs tomorrow.
32mins: Once again the Warriors kick towards touch but the Dogs keep the ball in play. Time is off as Issac Luke is down in back play with a shoulder complaint. Doesn't look good I must admit.
Luke heads off grabbing towards his pectorial. Luckily Nathaniel Roache is on the bench.
31mins: Bulldogs with another solid set, making good ground through the middle. Poor kick on the last though as RTS gets to the ball safely.
29mins: Now a stop in play after Chase Stanley is down injured. Warriors will have a scrum inside the Bulldogs half. 27 metres from the line.
28mins: Sam Lisone with a great run through the middle of the field and it gets the Warriors up to the halfway line. Johnson boots the ball away and James Gavet chases well and catches Marcelo Montoya before he can run away.
27mins: The Warriors kick towards touch again, but the Bulldogs fight and keep the ball in play!
26mins: Bulldogs attack down the right wing again and they are moving the ball well but the last pass goes forward and the Warriors survive that onslaught.
24mins: The Bulldogs attack down the right wing on the last, but Roger Tuivasa-Sheck reads the play and gets out of the in goal.
23mins: Penalty to the Bulldogs after a dangerous tackle.
22mins: Warriors apply the pressure and attack the line. The Warriors try a trick play on the last and it nearly plays off. Unlucky! Seven tackle set for the Bulldogs.
21mins: David Klemmer makes a mistake with his first carry and the Warriors start the set 30 metres from the tryline. Can they score here?
20mins: Great set by the Dogs who kick high again on the last and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck makes another safe catch. Warriors kick early and Issac Luke hunts for a 40/20 and it nearly goes out but the Bulldogs save it.
18mins: Dogs kick high into the rain and the Warriors let the ball bounce. Luckily for them it bounces the way of the Warriors and they run the ball up.
17mins: Good set following the try. The Warriors kick early and they chase well, trapping Will Hopoate inside the 10.
16mins: Johnson kicks the goal and the Warriors lead 6-2.
15mins: TRY WARRIORS: Ken Maumalo scores a beautiful individual try in Auckland. The Warriors struggle in the set and they take the ball wide and Maumalo breaks the tackle of Marcelo Montoya and he runs away, then steps Will Hopoate to score. What a beauty! WOW!
13mins: Bulldogs throwing the ball around on the fourth and they kick on the last towards Nicoll-Klokstad but this time he takes the catch.
12mins: Now Ben Matulino drps the ball. It was just a clean drop. The Doggies will start the set on the halfway line.
11mins: It is starting to rain in Auckland. Bulldogs kick to end the set and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck runs the ball back at the big Bulldogs forwards.
10mins: PENALTY GOAL BULLDOGS: Kerrod Holland kicks the goal and the Bulldogs lead early in Auckland.
9mins: Two plays later, the Bulldogs win a penalty and the visitors will take a shot at goal.
8mins: Great defence by the Warriors as the Dogs only make 20 metres. Moses Mbye kicks the ball downfield and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad goes to pick up the ball and spills it. Bulldogs scrum 10 out from the line.
7mins: The Warriors find space and RTS gives the ball to CNK but he tackled and throws the ball back infield and it goes straight to Kerrod Holland.
6mins: Bulldogs don't make much ground the Warriors with the ball again.
5mins: Poor dropou by the Bulldogs and the Warriors start the set 30 metres out. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad goes over three plays later but is held up. The Warriors kick again and nearly trap Will Hopoate but this time he escapes.
4mins: Shaun Johnson finds Bodene Thompson who nearly breaks the line. Next play Johnson kicks towards the corner and the Warriors trap Will Hopoate in goal to force a dropout.
3mins: Warriors kick early in the set towards touch but Kerrod Holland keeps the ball in play. Dogs kick inside their half on the last straight down to Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
2mins: Bulldogs 35 out from the Warriors line on the last and a poor kick goes straight into the hands of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
1mins: Ben Matulino has the first carry of the game. Then the backs have a carry. Lillyman and Hoffman also hit the ball up. On the last, they get close to halfway and Shaun Johnson clears.
KICKOFF: We are underway in Auckland. The Warriors have first use of the ball.
8:00 pm: The Warriors are out on the park.
7:59 pm: The Bulldogs are on the field.
7:55 pm: This is the Warriors first game at Mount Smart in nearly a month. The last time the Dogs played here was in 2012. Both teams have the same win/loss record. Who will win? Tweet us @Newshubsport and tell us your predictions.
Hello and welcome to live updates of the New Zealand Warriors hosting the Canterbury Bulldogs at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand.
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 as Stephen Kearney talks about the importance of winning tonight's game.
Lineups
Warriors
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), 2. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 3. Blake Ayshford, 4. David Fusitu’a, 5. Ken Maumalo, 22. Ata Hingano, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Jacob Lillyman, 9. Issac Luke, 10.Ben Matulino, 11. Bodene Thompson, 12. Ryan Hoffman, 13. Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14.Nathaniel Roache, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Albert Vete,18. James Gavet
Bulldogs
1. Will Hopoate, 20. Kerrod Holland, 3. Josh Morris, 4. Chase Stanley, 5. Marcelo Montoya, 6.Josh Reynolds, 7. Moses Mbye, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Michael Lichaa, 10. James Graham, 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Adam Elliott, 15 Danny Fualalo
Interchange: 13. David Klemmer, 14. Sam Kasiano, 16. Greg Eastwood, 22. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Match facts and stats
Referees: Ashley Klein and Peter Gough
Touch Judges: Belinda Sleeman and Chris McMillan
Review Officials: Steve Chiddy and Luke Patten
Past meetings
*Head to head: Played 35, Warriors 13, Bulldogs 20, draws 2
Last time played: Bulldogs 24 def Warriors 12, March 17, 2017
Last time in New Zealand: Warriors 24 def Bulldogs 20, April 16, 2016
Last time at Mount Smart Stadium: Bulldogs 32 def Warriors 18, March 18, 2012
Head-to-head: Titans- $1.70 Warriors - $2.05
*Stats from NRL.com
Pre-match banter - New Zealand Warriors fired up for clash against Canterbury Bulldogs
There'll be no lack of intensity or concentration when the Warriors return from their bye week to take on Canterbury in Auckland on Friday, coach Stephen Kearney says.
He's confident the Warriors can recapture the form which earned them their first victory of the season on the road two weeks ago, a 34-12 win over the Titans.
But Kearney acknowledges there's plenty of room for improvement, particularly given the way the Warriors tailed off towards the end against Gold Coast.
"The Titans scored a couple of tries off the back end of sets," Kearney said.
"Fifty per cent of their tries came from kicks or the last play, and we looked at that pretty closely during the week.
"I thought we didn't do a good enough job on that."
Both the Warriors (11th) and the Bulldogs (12th) are looking to work their way up the ladder, and Kearney has no doubt Canterbury, also coming off a bye, will present a huge challenge.
"They've always been a tough footy club, and they're a team with tough individuals, the likes of James Graham, David Klemmer, Aiden Toman and the Morris brothers.
"We keep mentioning consistency in our process and how we go about things - we're pretty clear about what works for us, and it's about making sure we prepare to perform that way on Friday."
Kearney is happy with the way his forward pack has developed since the Warriors' early season 24-12 loss to Canterbury in Dunedin.
"We've got some pretty handy guys at the back who do a good job of getting us out of the back field," he said.
"The forwards' role is to get the team into position so we can pull the trigger when we need to. They do a pretty good job of it most of the time."
The Warriors will be missing back Solomone Kata, who has returned to Tonga on bereavement leave following his brother's death.
He'll be replaced by David Fusitu'a, who shifts in one place from the wing where Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has been recalled for his fifth first-grade appearance.
Warriors playmaker Kieran Foran, who signed a three-year deal with the Bulldogs in May, has a question mark after his name as he recovers from a quad muscle injury sustained in the win over Gold Coast.
