CANTERBURY BULLDOGS 18 NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 6
CALLUM WALKER, Accor Stadium, Saturday

CANTERBURY stunned New Zealand to keep their top eight hopes alive – and dent the Warriors’ chance of finishing top.

Andrew Webster’s men could have closed the gap to leaders Penrith to just two points had they won in Sydney, but the Bulldogs proved far too strong on the night.

In fact, had it not been for a late Chanel Harris-Tavita effort, Canterbury would have nilled their opponents for the first time in 2026.

The home side came out of the blocks akin to an international sprinter as Viliame Kikau sent Stephen Crichton to the try-line with a sumptuous offload.

Unable to live with the power and pace of their opponents, the Warriors conceded again moments later when Jacob Preston took a well-timed Lachlan Galvin pass to power under the posts.

Crichton was on target for both conversions as the Bulldogs led 12-0 at half-time.

The visitors had to score first after half-time, but a number of costly errors allowed the Bulldogs to make it 16-0 through a Jacob Kiraz try.

Crichton made it 18-0 with a penalty eight minutes from time, before Harris-Tavita collected a brilliant Mitch Barnett chip to ensure the Warriors went home with some kind of score.

BULLDOGS: 1 Connor Tracey, 2 Jacob Kiraz, 3 Matt Burton, 4 Enari Tuala, 5 Jethro Rinakama, 6 Stephen Crichton, 7 Lachlan Galvin, 8 Max King, 9 Bailey Hayward, 10 Leo Thompson, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Jacob Preston, 13 Jaeman Salmon. Subs: 14 Sean O’Sullivan (not used), 15 Josh Curran, 16 Harry Hayes, 17 Lipoi Hopoi, 19 Jed Reardon (not used), 20 Gordon Chan Kum Tong (not used)

Tries: Crichton (6), Preston (12), Kiraz (47); Goals: Crichton 3/4

WARRIORS: 1 Taine Tuaupiki, 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Ali Leiataua, 4 Adam Pompey, 5 Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7 Te Maire Martin, 8 James Fisher-Harris, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Mitchell Barnett, 11 Kurt Capewell, 12 Jacob Laban, 13 Erin Clark. Subs: 14 Sam Healey (not used), 15 Tanner Stowers-Smith, 16 Demitric Vaimauga, 17 Leka Halasima, 21 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 22 Luke Metcalf (not used)

Tries: Harris-Tavita (75); Goals: Harris-Tavita 1/1

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0; 16-0, 18-0, 18-6

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Bulldogs: Jacob Preston; Warriors: Kurt Capewell

Penalty count: 6-7; Half-time: 12-0; Referee: Adam Gee; Attendance: 22,135