Dragons v Warriors: McGuire to debut; Evans, BMM to start
The Dragons have every right to feel good about themselves heading into Sunday's meeting with the Warriors.
After starting the season outside of most people's top eights, new coach Anthony Griffin has got everyone headed in the right direction. They've won four in a row to be sitting in fourth spot.
A feature of their surge has been the play of their forwards. That unit will be put to a stern test against the Warriors.
A last-minute loss to Manly last weekend is something they'll want to make amends for pretty quickly.
Dragons v Warriors
Match: Dragons v Warriors
Round 6 -
home Team
Dragons
6th Position
away Team
Warriors
8th Position
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
The rundown
Team news
Dragons: Josh McGuire will make his Dragons debut via the interchange bench just days after he completed a move from the Cowboys.
In a move announced on Saturday, Blake Lawrie (cork) drops out of the side, with Trent Merrin promoted to starting prop. Jordan Pereira was the other player omitted from the squad on Saturday.
Another recent signing, former Panthers back-rower Billy Burns will be the 18th man.
Fullback Matt Dufty has scored eight tries in his past seven games at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
Warriors: In a series of moves, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown will start at prop with Leeson Ah Mau dropping back to the bench, Ben Murdoch-Masila will start in the second-row with Jack Murchie now the 18th man and Peta Hiku moved from the wing into the centres in a straight swap with Marcelo Montoya.
Kane Evans also moves from the bench into the front row with Tohu Harris going from prop to lock.
Josh Curran is set to start in the second row with Eliesa Katoa dropping out of the squad.
Tom Ale and Taniela Otukolo dropped off the extended bench 24 hours before kick-off.
The Warriors have won their past four games against the Dragons.
Match: Dragons v Warriors
Round 6 -
home Team
Dragons
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Matthew DuftyFullback for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
-
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Cody RamseyWinger for Warriors is number 4 Marcelo Montoya
-
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Jack BirdCentre for Warriors is number 2 Peta Hiku
-
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac LomaxCentre for Warriors is number 3 Adam Pompey
-
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele RavalawaWinger for Warriors is number 5 Ken Maumalo
-
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Corey NormanFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
-
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Adam CluneHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Sean O'Sullivan
Forwards
-
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Paul VaughanProp for Warriors is number 16 Kane Evans
-
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Andrew McCulloughHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
-
Prop for Dragons is number 15 Trent MerrinProp for Warriors is number 21 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Josh Kerr2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Josh Curran
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Tariq Sims2nd Row for Warriors is number 14 Ben Murdoch-Masila
-
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Tyrell FuimaonoLock for Warriors is number 10 Tohu Harris
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Kaide EllisInterchange for Warriors is number 8 Leeson Ah Mau
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Daniel AlvaroInterchange for Warriors is number 13 Jazz Tevaga
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Brayden WiliameInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty Afoa
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 20 Josh McGuireInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Paul Turner
Reserves
-
Reserve for Dragons is number 19 Billy BurnsReserve for Warriors is number 12 Jack Murchie
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Corey Norman v Kodi Nikorima: Both are potential match-winners on their day. Norman has benefited from the strong play of his forwards so far this year, while Nikorima has had to readjust to the loss of halves partner Chanel Harris-Tavita to injury and the arrival of Sean O'Sullivan.
Stat attack
The Dragons have averaged 18 dummy-half runs per match over the opening five rounds - the most in the NRL. The Warriors average just eight per match.
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