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Warriors wary of winless Dragons
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • May 21st, 2026 11:18 am
Ali Leiataua | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
No team wants to become the first scalp for a winless side - but when injury and State of Origin commitments are thrown into the mix, that risk ramps up considerably.
That's the predicament the Warriors find themselves against the St George Illawarra Dragons in Sydney on Saturday.
Still without a victory in 2026, the Dragons are the next team to line up against the streaking Warriors, who have won eight of 10 games this season, including their last five in a row.
Warriors centre Ali Leiataua told Sport Nation’s Scotty & Izzy it can be a danger going up against a team that is desperate for a win.
“When the team has nothing to lose, they're going to throw everything at you.”
The Warriors will be without star halfback Tanah Boyd, after tearing his ACL against the Broncos at Magic Round last week, as well as co-captain Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell, who will be playing for their respective teams in next week's State of Origin opener.
The Warriors' "spooky" Boyd/Metcalf situation | Running It Straight
The Dragons don’t have any Origin players this year, however Moses Suli is out with a back injury.
Leiataua said if the Warriors with Te Maire Martin now steering the ship can stay composed and execute great football, everything should go to plan.
“It will definitely be hard. Every game in the NRL is hard, so you've got to be careful.”
Former Warrior and roommate to Leiataua, Setu Tu, will wear the Dragons No. 2 jersey on Saturday evening at Jubilee Stadium.
Leiataua laughed about the match-up, admitting “he's been giving it to me over text.”
Setu Tu try celebration with Ali Leiataua | Photo: Photosport
“I think he's looking forward to it. He's one of my closest mates," he said.
“He'll be looking forward to this game, but I hope he knows he's got a title on his head as well.”
The Dragons will be chasing a major upset, having not beaten the Warriors since April 2024.
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Listen to the full interview below:
