NRL: Consistency the key for Warriors as Webster names unchanged side

Warriors head coach Andrew Webster has retained the same 17 players used in last week’s 32-16 win over the Broncos for their 18th-round NRL clash against Canterbury-Bankstown at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday.

After being named on the bench but ultimately starting against Brisbane, back rower Kurt Capewell is this week listed in the run-on side for his 150-game milestone appearance. The 30-year-old Queensland Origin representative will be playing his 11th game for the club following 64 matches for Cronulla Sutherland from 2016-2019, 32 for Penrith in 2020-2021 and 43 for Brisbane in 2022-2023.

He is paired in the second row with Marata Niukore, while New South Wales Origin forward Mitchell Barnett is selected in the front row, where he started against the Broncos.

Captain Tohu Harris is again named at loose forward, although he again came off the bench against the Broncos.

The backline is unchanged but there is some movement on the extended bench, with the promising duo of Ali Leiataua – coming back from an injury lay-off – and Leka Halasima

named alongside Jacob Laban, Taine Tuaupiki and Bunty Afoa.

Webster admitted he was not sure how his side could achieve consistency.

“I don’t think I exactly know the answer,” he said when asked.

“The reason I don’t know is because our best football is very, very good. I’ve said it a number of times but we have lapses in concentration. We gotta play for 80 minutes.”

The Warriors are in full rollercoaster mode, rebounding from a 66-6 loss to the Titans to then beat the Broncos. They face a tough test against a resurgent Bulldogs side now running fifth in the competition on 20 points, having won four of its last five matches. The Warriors are three points behind in 13th spot on a congested table.

The Warriors have won the last six encounters with the Bulldogs and eight of the last 10 since 2016.

Warriors v Bulldogs

Kick-off: 5pm, Saturday 7 July

Accor Stadium, Sydney

Live blog updates on RNZ Sport

Warriors (six to be omitted): 1. Charnze Nicoll-Kolkstad 2. Dallin Watten-Zelezniak 3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitch Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Tohu Harris (c)

Reserves: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Dylan Walker 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Jackson Ford 18. Jacob Laban 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Ali Leaitaua 22. Bunty Afoa 23. Leka Halasima