The Bulldogs eased the pressure on coach Des Hasler by notching their first win of the season, downing the Warriors 24-12 in the first ever NRL match to be played in Dunedin.
Hasler's side were staring down the barrel of an 0-3 start to the year  – a situation that would have verged on the intolerable for their success-starved  fans. While the two competition points were key, the Bulldogs again failed to convince, although their defence was sound. The result also snapped a six-game losing streak after the Dogs lost four on the trot at the back end of 2016.
More Rugby League Videos
- Video duration
- 01:30
Bulldogs punish aimless Warriors
Bulldogs punish aimless Warriors
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have picked up their first win of the season at the expense of the New Zealand Warriors, 24-12.
Up Next
Slater: It'll be weird playing against Cronk
- Video duration
- 00:38
- Video duration
- 00:38
Slater: It'll be weird playing against ...
Slater: It'll be weird playing against Cronk
Has Billy Slater let slip that Cooper Cronk has decided against retiring?
Up Next
Cronk trying to avoid getting emotional
- Video duration
- 00:26
- Video duration
- 00:26
Cronk trying to avoid getting emotional
Cronk trying to avoid getting emotional
The NRL Grand Final will be Cooper Cronk's final appearance in a purple jersey.
Up Next
Slater: I used to be a Cowboys fan
- Video duration
- 00:40
- Video duration
- 00:40
Slater: I used to be a Cowboys fan
Slater: I used to be a Cowboys fan
Billy Slater will go head-to-head against the team he grew up supporting on the NRL's biggest stage.
Up Next
PNG Hunters win Queenland Cup in dramatic finish
- Video duration
- 00:24
- Video duration
- 00:24
PNG Hunters win Queenland Cup in dramatic ...
PNG Hunters win Queenland Cup in dramatic finish
The Papua New Guinea Hunters have made history by defeating the Sunshine Coast to win their first major trophy in rugby league.
Up Next
Crazy scenes as Cowboys land in Townsville
- Video duration
- 00:48
- Video duration
- 00:48
Crazy scenes as Cowboys land in Townsville
Crazy scenes as Cowboys land in Townsville
Townsville has well and truly caught Cowboys fever.
Up Next
Cameron: Nothing in it for Cotchin's hit on Shiel
- Video duration
- 00:18
- Video duration
- 00:18
Cameron: Nothing in it for Cotchin's hit ...
Cameron: Nothing in it for Cotchin's hit on Shiel
Giants coach Leon Cameron believes both players had eyes for the ball.
Up Next
Bennett: Bronco's weaknesses exposed
- Video duration
- 00:45
- Video duration
- 00:45
Bennett: Bronco's weaknesses exposed
Bennett: Bronco's weaknesses exposed
Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett believes the Broncos will learn from this season's mistakes.
Bulldogs punish aimless Warriors
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have picked up their first win of the season at the expense of the New Zealand Warriors, 24-12.
While it was officially a Bulldogs home game the majority of the 10,000 who turned up in Dunedin were Warriors fans, and they created a partisan atmosphere in Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The Warriors went into the match as favourites, and they dominated possession and territory through the first 20 minutes, camping on the Bulldogs' line but without any success. The best opportunity came in the 12th minute when an under pressure Shaun Johnson rolled a well-timed kick into the in-goal but an out-reached Ken Maumalo hand couldn't finish the job.
The Bulldogs conceded five penalties and received none in the first 15 minutes – two for high shots – and as a result, spent the majority of the time defending. Eventually that took its toll and when yet another ball was kicked into the in-goal, Bodene Thompson wo opened the scoring in the 16th minute.Â
It was one-way traffic, but when the Bulldogs finally ventured into Warriors territory, after a couple waves of attack, they struck. From 15 metres out, halfback Moses Mbye spotted an  opening in the defensive line and a weak effort in defence from Sam Lisone left a big hole as he scooted through to score.
With two minutes to play in the first half, the Bulldogs hit again and grabbed the lead for the first time in the game when a well-worked backline move had Warriors wing Maumalo lost in defence and his opposite Brett Morris in the clear to run in the try for a 10-6 half-time lead.
Former Warriors under-20 sensation Brad Abbey was making his Bulldogs debut and he provided the Warriors with some momentum early in the second half when he fumbled a grubber kick close to his own line.
At the midway point in the half the Warriors finally turned their dominance into points when some nice interplay from Johnson and second-rower Thompson on the right edge put Johnson over. Johnson was successful with the kick to make it 12-10 to the Warriors. That lead, however, lasted just a matter of minutes as the Bulldogs found some field position and a reverse pass from Brett Morris put Marcelo Montoya  in to score on debut. Â
As the Warriors looked for a  late try to send the game to golden point, Morris ended their hopes with his second try of the game.