Canterbury Bulldogs vs New Zealand Warriors Verdict
The Bulldogs and Warriors are tipped to play out an absolute thriller that is decided by four points or less. The Warriors have lost three of their last six games - all by exactly two points, and I'm opting for that again.
- Bulldogs have won the last three meetings between the pair
- Bulldogs have seen Under 43.5 points in five of their last six games
- Warriors have seen Under 43.5 points in five of their last seven games
- Warriors' last three defeats have been by exactly two points
- Bulldogs have won four of their last five games, along with four of their last five at Accor
- Four of the Bulldogs' seven wins in 2026 have been by four points or less
- No team has won more golden point games than the Bulldogs, highlighting their quality and ability to win close games
- Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored 17 tries in 16 games this season
Head To Head
The Bulldogs have won their last three encounters with the Warriors, including a 32-14 victory last year. Canterbury also edged out the Warriors 13-12 in 2024, which again showcases their class in closing out the tight games.
Canterbury Bulldogs Form
A run of five straight defeats after stunning the Panthers earlier in the season threatened to derail the Bulldogs, but to their credit, they've turned things around and given themselves a chance at the finals.
It's still a long shot with a tough run home, but Canterbury have won four of their last five games and it's been on the back of their signature 'Dogs of War' defence returning.
Indeed, the Dogs have kept their opponents to 12 points or less in those four victories, including last week's brilliant 32-0 dispatch of the Tigers.
Sean O'Sullivan played a starring role at halfback, allowing Lachie Galvin to play more off the cuff footy - it's amazing how things can turn out when players play in their natural positions....
Matt Burton was more dangerous again at centre, while Jethro Rinakama made it six tries from his last six games in the dominant victory.
New Zealand Warriors Form
The Warriors remain in pursuit of Penrith for the minor premiership, but the more realistic goal should be to consolidate their top four spot and ensure a home final, which would give them momentum and make the Kiwi club hard to stop in September.
Despite some injuries to key players, the Warriors have kept trucking along, but they haven't been at their best lately, losing three of their last six games and registering a somewhat sloppy 20-12 win over the Dragons in Auckland last week.
Yes, the Dragons have improved lately, but the Warriors will need to improve on that showing if they want to genuinely challenge for this year's premiership.
The Warriors trailed at half-time, but managed to keep the Dragons scoreless in the second stanza, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak's 17th try of the season and a pair of penalty goals from Chanel Harris-Tavita enough to hand them the two competition points.
Bulldogs vs Warriors Team News
Despite O'Sullivan complimenting Galvin nicely last week, the veteran halfback has been dropped to the bench in favour of returning captain Stephen Crichton, who has impressed in his limited game time in the halves.
Star second-rower Viliame Kikau also returns to the starting side in a big boost for the Dogs, with Josh Curran heading back to the bench.
Andrew Webster has stuck solid with the same team that beat the Dragons last week. Marata Niukore has been added to the six-man bench in place of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.