The game starting to flounder to its final embers. Warriors just too strong for the Bulldogs today.
That kick wasn't as good from Lewis. He kicked it right to Kata, and the Warriors ruck it out.
Lewis directs a kick well, and sees the ball batted across the dead-ball. Six more incoming. Some hope for next week for the Dogs.
Some improv from Lewis! Toes through for himself, regathered sees his kick fumbled and another chance for Canterbury coming up!
Headed into the final ten, Keighran from the left touchline, shapes it over.
Too easy. Warriors get numbers on the left, Hiku slices through and no resistance to him scoring.
Warriors controlling this superbly, looking for more points to create their biggest margin of victory in round one. Keighran rolls one through, earns a dropout.
Sideline for Keighran again. The youngster is getting plenty of goalkicking practice today, he walks in, nails it again.
GREEN LIGHTS.. TRY! Had a quick look at the obstruction, that was cleared.. wonderful pass from Green to put RTS on the outside, he steps before sending Kata in.
Dear, oh dear. A routine kick from Keighran looked to be bouncing over, it took a wicked bounce onto Hopoate's shins and then rolls over.
Good return set from scoring points from the Dogs. Can they pile on some points to give the Warriors something to think about?
Holland from the sideline, raises the flags.
Bulldogs have points! Some simple passing moves sees Crichton slides over.
Whoospie! Lewis just sees the ball go through his hands, as the afternoon is dragging on for the Bulldogs.
PENALTY BULLDOGS! Laying on the attacker too long. Big chance for the visitors now.
Keighran from besides the sticks, adds two more.
RTS just sold the Bulldogs the farm there. He took the ball, stopped then dummied Lewis before he strolled across the line.
Lachlan Lewis trying to find some ground for the Bulldogs, gets too much on it, and it rolled dead. Seven tackles incoming.
Warriors look to pick up where they left off. Keighran strode through, couldn't find his support runner then Green stabbed a kick straight into Dogs arms.
Here we go again! Warriors float it deep, and the Bulldogs have a big hole to dig up from.
HALFTIME :: Complete dominance from the Warriors. They crossed four times to be 22-nil up against the downward Dogs.
After two tough kicks, an easy one to finish the half. Keighran raises the flags.
The Fuuus! Kata shoved the ball to Fusitua into space, he summed up the situation perfect before sending Roache in to complete a dominant half from the home side.
Dogs getting through their sets fine, but they can't find any polish on last. Latest kick went straight down RTS' throat before..
Now, he has the chance to convert his own effort, besides the sticks. Piloted through.
There's a moment for the youngster! Keighran stepped past one, faked out Foran then dives across. So much joy in his post-try celebration as well.
PENALTY WARRIORS! A strong surge again from the backs gets the Dogs on the backfoot then they concede the whistle.
PENALTY Warriors! A long draw of the whistle from Roby sees the home side ready to launch another raid.
Another tough kick for Keighran. This time on the right, swings it inside.
Perfect execution from Green and Fusitua! He put it right on the wingers hands, which allowed him to shunt it back to Kata to finish.
Hold the phone! After some consulting, they conclude Montoya dropped it. Warrior ball.
Smart kick from Foran, earns the Dogs a dropout.
Good break down the middle from Roache but his offload to RTS goes astray.
The debutant has the chance to make it six. He steps in, hooks it wide.
GREEN LIGHTS..TRY! Blake Green surprises the Dogs defence with an early kick and Ken Maumalo finishes it off.
Sedate start from both sides. Both trying to find their rhythm with much of the kicking coming from the old stagers in Foran and Green.
Dogs worked a fine opening on the left, quick hands tried to cut-out Holland but the centre stuck a paw out and knocked it down.
Fusitua seeing a lot of ball early, broke free down the right but flung it straight back to a Bulldog. Next, the Warriors take an age to get off the tackled player, so PENALTY.
Could hear the sense of anticipation ripple across Mt Smart, as the first kick came back for the Warriors then the follow up went to the crowd favourite Fus! The winger makes the catch but spills it on contact. Reprieve for the Bulldogs.
Foran goes short on last, Montoya pokes through the line, but collected. It is compounded by a PENALTY for the Warriors early in the count.
Solomone Kata comes in for some early work, but his enthusiasm costs them with a play-the-ball error.
Bunty Afoa comes off the back fence for the first hit-up as the Bulldogs get us underway! Hopefully this game can provide some brief respite from the terrible heartache for those in NZ.
Here we go! We're underway for 2029 in NZ!
A stirring rendition of 'God Defend New Zealand' gets things underway as both sides start to make their way out infront of a packed stadium. Bulldogs in their traditional blue and white whilst Warriors following the horn, take the field in their blue, green and red jersey. Kick-off is imminent.
Welcome to Auckland! We have the first of our triple-header today, as the Warriors host Canterbury Bankstown at a packed Mt Smart! Hopefully some joy for those with heavy hearts after yesterday's tragedy in Christchurch. It is also Old Boy's Day as we get ready for kick-off!
Referees & scorers:
Referee: Jon Stone, Tim Roby
Touch Judges: Chris McMillan, Clayton Sharpe
Video Referee: Jared Maxwell, Bryan Norrie
WARRIORS (40)
Tries: Ken Maumalo, Adam Keighran, Solomone Kata (2), Nathaniel Roache, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Peta Hiku
Field Goals:
Conversions: Adam Keighran (6/7)
Penalty Goals:
CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (6)
Tries: Christian Crichton
Field Goals:
Conversions: Kerrod Holland (1/1)
Penalty Goals: