NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 20 ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS 12
CALLUM WALKER, Go Media Stadium, Saturday

THE Warriors are now just two points behind NRL leaders Penrith following a scrappy win over lowly St George.

The Dragons still only have two wins on the board in 2026, but they proved to be no easy beats in Auckland.

When Adam Pompey crossed after just four minutes, the writing was seemingly on the wall for the visitors, but their stubbornness will have pleased head coach Dean Young.

The Dragons weathered that early storm and then hit back through Clint Gutherson after Hamish Stewart had fended off two defenders.

Chanel Harris-Tavita added a penalty for a late tackle and then Alofiana Khan-Pereira weaved his way through soft tackling to send the Warriors 10-6 up.

But back came the visitors and a special dummy from Stewart saw him pierce a massive hole through the hosts’ defence. Valentine Holmes’ second goal meant St George led 12-10 at half-time.

There was no stopping Dallin Watene-Zelezniak five minutes after the resumption, however, and Harris-Tavita’s conversion saw the Warriors retake a 16-12 lead.

Setu Tu was denied a runaway effort after being judged to have been tackled. As it was, two late Harris-Tavita penalties ensured the Warriors secured the two points.

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, 15 Tanner Stowers-Smith, 16 Demitric Vaimauga, 17 Leka Halasima, 18 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava (not used), 20 Marata Niukore (not used)

Tries: Pompey (4), Khan-Pereira (33), Watene-Zelezniak (45); Goals: Harris-Tavita 4/6

DRAGONS: 1 Clint Gutherson, 2 Setu Tu, 3 Mat Feagai, 4 Valentine Holmes, 5 Tyrell Sloan, 6 Daniel Atkinson, 7 Kyle Flanagan, 8 Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga, 9 Damien Cook, 10 Toby Couchman, 11 Dylan Egan, 12 Hamish Stewart, 13 Ryan Couchman. Subs: 14 Jacob Liddle, 15 Luciano Leilua, 16 Josh Kerr, 17 Jacob Halangahu, 18 Moses Suli (not used), 19 Lyhkan King-Togia (not used)

Tries: Gutherson (14), Stewart (36); Goals: Holmes 2/2

SCORING SEQUENCE: 4-0, 4-6, 6-6, 10-6, 10-12; 16-12, 18-12, 20-12

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Warriors: Tanner Stowers-Smith; Dragons: Toby Couchman

Penalty count: 7-5; Half-time: 10-12; Referee: Chris Butler