A real NRL match will be played at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.
The Warriors have played the Broncos in a couple of pre-season matches, but tonight is the real deal.
Competition points are on the line as the Warriors take on the Bulldogs in a match which really matters.
After a win in week one, the Warriors are coming off a loss to the Melbourne Storm last weekend.
‘‘We’ve been working on a process right through the pre-season — and certainly through the first couple of games — about how we want to play with the football and how we want to defend,’’ Warriors coach Stephen Kearney said yesterday.
‘‘That doesn’t change tomorrow night for us.’’
Forsyth Barr Stadium should produce a fast-paced, open game and Kearney was expecting speed to be a factor.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, were still searching for their first win and labelled it an important game.
‘‘Obviously a win is pretty crucial,’’ Bulldogs coach Des Hasler said yesterday.
‘‘The losses have been very tight and there’s probably been merit in the performances. ‘‘But at the end of the day we’ve walked away without the points and while it’s still early, a win here is pretty important.’’
The Warriors welcome back Manu Vatuvei on the left wing, while Bodene Thompson and Jacob Lillyman return to the forward pack.
Kiwis five-eighth Kieran Foran remains unavailable, meaning youngster Atu Hingano will continue to partner Shaun Johnson in the halves.
With captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ruled out earlier in the week, Ryan Hoffman has taken over the leadership role.
Hoffman was impressed with the stadium.
‘‘[The surface is] really good. I’ve never been down here,’’ he said.
‘‘I’ve played in a few roofed stadiums, but never in one that makes you feel outdoors when you’re indoors. ‘‘I’m really excited to be here. It’s a really impressive stadium and hopefully we get the chance to play down here more often.’’
He forms a back-row with Thompson and Simon Mannering, who will equal Stacey Jones’ record of 261 games for the club.
Hasler was equally complimentary of the stadium and said it was a good decision to bring the game to Dunedin.
That was despite having to play a crucial home game in another country.‘‘I think for a long time the Bulldogs have had a very strong tie to New Zealand in rugby league.
‘‘So I think [Forsyth Barr Stadium is] probably one of the highest rated grounds in the southern hemisphere, anyway, as far as performance is concerned.
‘‘It’s a rugby [union] stronghold, but they love their sport down here, so I think it’s a good initiative to take the game here.’’
The Bulldogs will field their trademark big forward pack. James Graham and Josh Jackson are likely to come to the fore.
Big names, such as twins Brett and Josh Morris and Josh Reynolds, will be joined by debutants Brad Abbey and Marcelo Montoya in the backs.
