The Canterbury Bulldogs faced off against the New Zealand Warriors at Stadium Australia, delivering a commanding performance under wet conditions. The game was played on one of the wettest days that summer. The Bulldogs handled the muddy, slippery field conditions and rolled to an impressive win, 64-12. This win represented a huge turnaround for a team that had floundered in that kind of weather several times already this season.
As both the previous holders of the Rugby championship Trophy, the Warriors started the game, moving from left to right. For all their good work at first, the Bulldogs soon seized the game’s initiative. Purposefully seizing an early lead, they not only controlled the scoreboard but their versatility in hardship bore unusual features. With this win, the Bulldogs showed their backbone, fighting back from their last three defeats in the treacherous conditions.
Key Moments in the Match
The Bulldogs came out on fire, zooming out to a 24-2 advantage. That all changed when Bulldogs’ Crichton made a decisive try for the turning point. He smoothly ran it in for six, stretching the lead to 32-8. Pompey rounded out the Warriors scoring, putting them up 24-8. That just wasn’t quite enough to change the tide of the game’s momentum.
In a brutal contest that had plenty of drama, fighting off the ball was enough to get these players sent off. Both Francis Molo and Aublix Tawha were sin-binned after a three-man kerfuffle with Spencer Leniu. This decision was met with derision from all sides, including Warriors coach Kristian Woolf.
“I just don’t understand the sin-binnings to be honest with you,” – Kristian Woolf
Woolf was baffled by the officiating in that final game, especially at the end when two players were shown red cards. His feelings echoed a larger concern that decisions like these have a significant effect on gameplay.
Coaches Weigh In
Bulldogs’ coach Cameron Ciraldo was equally impressed in his post-match remarks. Over to Campbell, who was happy to see his side deliver with so much skepticism over the expected response to wet weather.
“I woke up and read in the paper today that we couldn’t play in the wet. It was nice to prove that one wrong,” – Cameron Ciraldo
Ciraldo’s comments highlighted not only his relief but his belief in the team’s potential to overcome challenges.
Warriors coach Andrew Webster said his side would have taken one point from either team before the game. He underscored how valuable that point looked in their performance. He emphasized the need for improvement as the Warriors’ hopes for a top-four finish now hinged on other teams’ performances.
Webster’s frustration was echoed by his players. Isaiya Katoa, the dynamic playmaker added to the QB room, noted that handling that pressure is all about players learning to fight for themselves when under duress.
“They’re coming past and giving our boys a mouthful. Our boys are not gonna stand there and cop it. You’ve got to stand up for yourself.” – Isaiya Katoa
