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New Zealand Warriors vs St George Illawarra Dragons NRL Betting Tips - Wahs by 13+ points in Round 20

ryan-tucker
Editor
Last updated: Thu 16 Jul 2026 11:08
The New Zealand Warriors are expected to secure a convincing victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons, who sit at the bottom of the ladder. Recent performances highlight the Warriors' dominance, especially through their forward pack, and historical data points to low-scoring matches between these sides. The best betting tips are Warriors 13+, game total under 46.5 points, and Leka Halasima as a promising tryscorer option. The Dragons' form has improved slightly, but their inability to compete through the middle makes an upset highly unlikely.
Ryan Tucker 3 hours ago
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  • Warriors are strong favourites with a 13+ margin expected
  • Head-to-head & stats favour an under 46.5 points total
  • Leka Halasima is a top tryscorer pick for value
new zealand warriors
New Zealand Warriors to roll on (Getty Images)

New Zealand Warriors vs St George Illawarra Dragons Verdict


New Zealand Warriors are a top two, the St George Illawarra Dragons are bottom of the ladder. This should be a routine win for the hosts with 13+ point margin the value. Also back the game total to stay under 46.5 points.

  • The Warriors rank second in points and third in linebreaks despite a disrupted spine, while the Dragons rank 17th in both points scored and points allowed.
  • New Zealand's forward pack is the mismatch, especially with Kurt Capewell and Mitch Barnett returning to strengthen an already physical side.
  • The head-to-head total trend is strong, with 11 of the last 12 games between these clubs landing under 46.5 points.
  • Leka Halasima is not the obvious market name this week, but he has scored nine tries in his last 10 games at Go Media Stadium and offers better value than the short winger prices.

Head to Head Stats


The Warriors have won five of their last six against the Dragons and St George Illawarra have not won at Go Media Stadium since 2011. 

That is a long drought to carry into a game where New Zealand have the stronger attack, the better defence and the more reliable forward pack.

The total trend is just as important. This matchup has routinely stayed under 46.5, and the Dragons' attack does not profile as a team capable of forcing New Zealand into a shootout.

New Zealand Warriors Form - Top 2 Wahs


The Warriors were excellent in their 32-6 win over Wests Tigers last week, and the most impressive part was how much of it started through the middle. 

James Fisher-Harris scored first and led the early dominance, Taine Tuaupiki ran for more than 200 metres, Jacob Laban punched out 160 metres, and the starting middles combined for more than 320 run metres.

That is the sort of platform that travels into this matchup. New Zealand have averaged 24.0 points scored and 16.4 conceded across their last five.

With Capewell, Barnett and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak back, the Warriors look deeper than they were a week ago.

St George Illawarra Dragons Form - Improving, But Bottom


The Dragons come in with a 2-3 record across their last five, but the season-long rankings are still the concern.

They sit 17th for points, 17th for linebreaks and 17th for points conceded, which is not the profile to trust away to a top-two side.

Their recent games have had some competitive patches, but they still struggle to sustain pressure for 80 minutes. 

Tyrell Sloan has been named despite the hamstring issue that bothered him in Round 18, and Moses Suli is back in the squad via the bench, but the bigger issue is whether they can win enough of the middle to keep the Warriors from rolling downhill.

Verdict

Take the Warriors 13+, Under 46.5, and Leka Halasima in both the anytime and first tryscorer markets.

Best Bet1: Warriors 13+ Winning Margin @3/5 at Hollywood bets - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Under 46.5 Game Total @9/10 at bet365 - 3 Units
Best Bet3: Leka Halasima Anytime Tryscorer @21/10 at Star Sports - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Leka Halasima First Tryscorer @16/1 at Hollywood bets - 1 Unit
Warriors 13+
Winning Margin
@3/5 - 3 Units
£30 Free Bet
Use promo code NEWBONUS

Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Hollywood bets
Under 46.5
Game Total
@9/10 - 3 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad

Bet at bet365
Leka Halasima
Anytime Tryscorer
@21/10 - 1 Unit
Bet £20 Get £10
Use promo code NEWBONUS

18+ New customers only. Bet £20 (or more) EVS (2.0) or greater Get 2 x £5 Free Bets. 1 x £5 Free Bet paid automatically & following £5 Free Bet after 24hrs. Min Free Bet odds 4/1 (5.0) on accumulators Trebles & upwards. Expires after 24hrs. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org

Bet at Star Sports
Leka Halasima
First Tryscorer
@16/1 - 1 Unit
£30 Free Bet
Use promo code NEWBONUS

Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Hollywood bets
ryan-tucker
Ryan Tucker

Sports Editor • 20+ years betting experience

Ryan's love for sport traverses many countries and cultures. Stats and data analysis has now outgrown the hobby tag and the countless models and simulations are now being put to good use writing previews and predictions for NRL.

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