The New Zealand Warriors have solidified their position in the NRL standings with an 18-6 victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons.
The victory guarantees the Warriors a top-four finish in the regular season, a significant achievement for the team. This means that they will have the advantage of playing at their home ground in New Zealand during the finals, potentially posing a challenge for visiting Australian teams.
Despite the win, the victory came with a cost, as five-eighth Luke Metcalf left the field due to a hamstring injury.
The Warriors’ attacking creativity suffered from Metcalf’s absence, and they were held without a try for the majority of the game. However, their early scores and defensive efforts were enough to secure the win.
The match saw early points from the Warriors, with Adam Pompey and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad scoring in the first half. The Dragons managed to narrow the lead with a try from Zac Lomax, but the Warriors’ defense held strong. Addin Fonua-Blake secured the win for the Warriors with a late try, redeeming himself after a missed chance earlier in the game.
