The Bulldogs and Warriors traded blows early as the score was tied at 18.
Young gun Viliami Vailea and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scored early tries before Canterbury winger Jake Averillo crossed for his side’s first.
But Stacey Jones’ side hit back through Edward Kosi before Bulldogs halfback Kyle Flanagan pounced on a loose Walsh carry to score and Josh Addo-Carr made an 80m interception .
MATCH CENTER: New Zealand Warriors vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
44TH MINUTE
The Bulldogs scored after a horror mistake by Reece Walsh.
Half-back Kyle Flanagan took the ball to cross untouched to bring his side back into the contest.
“An early error from the Warriors and the Bulldogs exactly what they needed,” Flanagan said.
“We’ve got a game here in Auckland,” Smith said.
Moments later, Bulldogs fly-half Josh Addo-Carr made an interception to charge for an 80-metre try.
Several Warriors defenders charged into cover defense, but Addo-Carr moved to score.
MINUTE 17
Bulldogs fullback Jake Averillo crossed for the team’s first of the night, pouncing on a short ball from Aaron Schoupp.
Mick Potter’s side charged at the Warriors line, with Matt Burton breaking before Averillo crossed.
“Matt Burton comes so close on the play above … nice heads up play by Averillo,” Smith said.
Just moments later, the Warriors scored off the back of a scrum with Reece Walsh finding Edward Kosi in space.
“He’s a class player Reece Walsh, he did really well, he just jumps around,” Shane Flanagan said.
“That’s all Reece Walsh class.”
6th MINUTE
The Warriors opened the scoring courtesy of a short ball from Shaun Johnson to find Viliami Vailea.
The 19-year-old crossed for a touchless try on his return to the New Zealand side after suffering a broken jaw.
The Bulldogs are now 12-0 off their return to Mt Smart Stadium, having played their last game across the Tasman in Round 1 of 2019.
MATCH CENTER: New Zealand Warriors vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
“Broken jaw, he’s been out now for the better part of ten games,” Warren Smith said.
Moments later, veteran winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak intercepted a pass from Matt Burton to cross untouched from 90 yards.
“He’s a real professional wing player, a great carrier and he can still do it,” Smith said.
“He would have been a great decathlete, he has speed, he has power and a great jumping ability.”
PRE-Match PREPARATION
The Bulldogs will make the overseas trip to New Zealand for the first time since round one of 2019 for their clash against the Warriors.
Kiwi-born players Jeremy Marshall-King, Jackson Topine, Zach Dockar-Clay and Raymond Faitala-Mariner will make a big homecoming to face their rivals across the Tasman.
Mick Potter’s Canterbury-Bankstown side will be without star enforcer Tevita Pangai Junior due to family reasons, switching Faitala-Mariner to lock.
An hour before kick-off, Potter also made a late change, swapping Harrison Edwards into the starting side in place of Jack Topine.
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MATCH CENTER: New Zealand Warriors vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Meanwhile, the Warriors have made a number of big changes.
Daejarn Asi returns as five-eighths, swapping regular pimp Wayne Egan for the semi-fictional role.
Young gun Viliami Vailea has also been brought in in the centres, while interim head coach Stacey Jones has reintroduced Storm recruit Eliesa Katoa to the bench.
Tom Ale, 23, will also make his first appearance of the 2022 season off the bench, taking the field for his fourth NRL game.
TEAMS
Warriors: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Viliami Vailea 4. Marcelo Montoya 5. Edward Kosi 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Tohu Harris 11. Euan Aitken 12. Jack Murchie 15. Bunty Afoa 13. Josh Curran 14. Freddy Lussick 16. Eliesa Tots 22. Tom Ale 17. Jackson Frei
Bulldogs: 1. Jake Averillo 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Braidon Burns 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Josh Jackson 16. Harrison Edwards 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jackson Topine 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Joe Stimson 17. Chris Patolo 20. Kurtis Morrin
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