NRL: Bulldogs look to add to Warriors’ woes

On a three-game losing streak and with the top eight pulling further away, things are not looking great for the New Zealand Warriors as they prepare to host the Canterbury Bulldogs on Friday night.

In contrast to the Warriors’ struggles towards the bottom end of the NRL ladder, the Bulldogs are on a four-game winning streak and find themselves in the thick of the battle for a top-four finish.

The Bulldogs have a poor record in this fixture and have not won at Go Media Stadium since 2012.

If Canterbury are to end that miserable run of results in Auckland, Friday appears to be as good a time as any for the Sydney outfit.

. What: New Zealand Warriors v Canterbury Bulldogs
. Where: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
. When: 18:00 (AEST), Friday 23rd August
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel
. Odds: New Zealand Warriors 2.50, Canterbury Bulldogs 1.54

Fans to bid Johnson farewell

It’s set to be an emotional occasion on Friday night, with Warriors star Shaun Johnson set to play his final home game at Go Media Stadium.

Johnson has confirmed that at the age of 33 he will be retiring after a fine career in the NRL and with the New Zealand national side at the end of the season.

Set to make his 223rd appearance for the Warriors, the veteran halfback will take the field at Go Media Stadium for the last time, while Addin Fonua-Blake and Jazz Tevaga will also play their final games at the ground before moving on to pastures new next season.

While the Warriors will be hoping to send Johnson off in style, it’s going to need a dramatic change in fortunes for the hosts to come out on top against the Bulldogs.

Losing seven of their last nine games and currently on a three-game losing streak, the Warriors tumbled out of contention for finals football.

Now the Warriors, who welcome back hooker Wayde Egan from an elbow injury for this game, are underdogs at 2.50 to claim the two points on home soil this week.

Bulldogs on the rise

Given their recent form, it’s no surprise coach Cameron Ciraldo has named the same squad that overcame the Dolphins last time out.

The Bulldogs are on course for their first place in the finals since back in 2016, after what has been a dramatic turnaround for a team that finished down in 15th place last season with just seven wins from their 24 games.

Losing six of their last seven games against the Warriors, this has been a tough fixture for the Bulldogs in recent years.

However, this is a different Canterbury side that we are now witnessing and the Bulldogs are favourites at 1.54 to secure their first win at Go Media Stadium since 2012.

The Line market has the visitors at 1.91 with -5.5 in a game that could well be a tight contest, as the Warriors hope to do all they can to cheer Johnson off the field with a win.