The winless St. George Illawarra Dragons host the second-placed New Zealand Warriors at Jubilee Stadium on Saturday. 

The Dragons faced a difficult assignment in Magic Round against the ladder-leading Panthers, with the 28-6 defeat extending their losing streak to 14 matches.

Meanwhile, the Warriors claimed an impressive 42-12 victory over Brisbane to secure a fifth straight win, although the result came at a cost with Tanah Boyd suffering a ruptured ACL. 

Te Maire Martin replaces Boyd at halfback, while Jackson Ford and Jacob Laban return to the starting side for Origin representatives Kurt Capewell and Mitchell Barnett. 

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has also been named among the reserves. Returning from suspension, Jaydn Su’A shifts to centre for the Dragons in place of the injured Moses Suli, while Tyrell Sloan has been named on the extended interchange after missing last week through injury. 

New Zealand has won four of the past five meetings between the sides. Will they make it five from six on Saturday?

For the latest news, odds and analysis ahead of this one, check out our Dragons vs Warriors tips and predictions below.

Dragons vs Warriors Prediction and Betting Tips 

Head-to-Head Prediction 

An imperfect 10? Is that a thing? Well, it is now. The Dragons have officially opened their 2026 season with 10 straight defeats. Yikes.

They welcome the Warriors to town in Round 12 and boy are the Wahs flying. They’ve lost just twice this year to comfortably sit second in the standings, although it looks as if they’ve lost unlikely star Tanah Boyd for the season, after he sustained a suspected ACL tear in their beatdown of the Broncos.

This unfortunate turn of events comes just days after the club decided to let Luke Metcalf leave his contract early and sign for, you guessed it, the Dragons from next season onwards.

Strangely though, he has not been named here to give his future employers a taste of what they’re paying for.

Still, in red-hot form The Warriors should still be able to put on a show with Te Maire Martin pulling the strings and nab the win, particularly if Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is a late inclusion from the reserves. 

Betting tip: New Zealand Warriors.

First Try Scorer Prediction 

If there’s one man who has every right to be filthy about missing out on Origin selection, it’s Jackson Ford.

The Warriors forward has been in career best form and is currently second in the Dally M count, trailing only megastar Nathan Cleary.

Ford also has an impressive try scoring record on the road this season and has scored a try in three of New Zealand's last four away matches.

We’re tipping him to send an early message to Laurie Daley and show him what he and NSW are going to be missing out on in State of Origin Game I. 

Betting tip: Jackson Ford.

Over/Under Prediction 

Seven of New Zealand's last eight matches in Australia have gone over the total match points line.

Betting tip: Over (51.5) total match points.

Line Prediction

The favourite has covered the line in each of St. George Illawarra's last eight night matches at St George Venues Jubilee Stadium.

Betting tip: Warriors (-13.5) line.

Dragons vs Warriors Anytime Try Scorer Betting Tips 

Clint Gutherson

Clint Gutherson has scored a try in each of his five previous home appearances against New Zealand.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored at least one try in each of New Zealand's last six matches.

Setu Tu

Setu Tu has scored a try in each of St. George Illawarra's last three matches as a home underdog.

Alofiana Khan-Pereira

In each of St. George Illawarra's last four home matches, the opposition's starting left wing has scored at least one try.

Leka Halasima

In each of St. George Illawarra's last three matches, the opposition's starting left second row has scored a try.

Adam Pompey

In each of St. George Illawarra's last three home matches, the opposition's starting left centre has scored at least one try.

Dragons vs Warriors Teams 

St George Illawarra Dragons Team List 

1. Clint Gutherson 

2. Setu Tu

3. Jaydn Su'A

4. Valentine Holmes

5. Christian Tipulotu

6. Daniel Atkinson

7. Kyle Flanagan

8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga

9. Damien Cook (c)

10. Toby Couchman 

11. Dylan Egan 

12. Hamish Stewart

13. Ryan Couchman

14. Luciano Leilua

15. Emre Guler

16. Josh Kerr

17. Blake Lawrie

18. Tyrell Sloan

New Zealand Warriors Team List 

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 (c)

9. Wayde Egan

10. Jackson Ford

11. Leka Halasima

12. Jacob Laban

13. Erin Clark 

14. Sam Healey

15. Tanner Stowers-Smith

16. Demitric Vaimauga

17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

18. Luke Hanson

Dragons vs Warriors Match Details 

Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026. 

Kick-off: 5:30pm AEST. 

Location: Jubilee Stadium, Sydney.