Dolphins v Warriors: Katoa returns; Stower-Smith steps up
The Dolphins will put a seven-game winning streak on the line when they host the high-flying Warriors at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
A big crowd is set to descend on the Brisbane venue for a mouth-watering battle between the teams sitting second and third on the ladder.
The Dolphins haven't lost since a tight 20-18 defeat to the Warriors in Round 8, while Andrew Webster's men returned to form with a 38-20 win over the Cowboys last weekend.
There are fascinating positional battles all across the park, with Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa set to return from a knee injury and go head-to-head with Warriors playmaker Te Maire Martin.
The duel between hookers Jeremy Marshall-King and Wayde Egan will go a long way to determining the outcome of this match, while fullbacks Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Taine Tuaupiki have the ability to break a game open in an instant.
Up front, Origin stars Max Plath and Tom Flegler return for the Dolphins in an intriguing battle between two high-powered packs.
While the Warriors will be without Jackson Ford due to a pectoral injury, co-captain Mitch Barnett is back to his best following an injury-interrupted start to the season and lock Erin Clark continues to elevate his game.
Match: Dolphins v Warriors
Round 17 -
home Team
Dolphins
3rd Position
away Team
Warriors
2nd Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Dolphins: The Dolphins welcome back star halfback Isaiya Katoa after a week out with a knee injury while their Maroons contingent of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Max Plath, Tom Flegler and Selwyn Cobbo are good to after a freshen up. Tom Gilbert will miss the game with a minor throat injury he picked up against Wests Tigers. Felise Kaufusi, Brad Schneider and Oryn Keeley move to the bench while Trai Fuller and Tavita Naufahu drop to the reserves.
Warriors: With Jackson Ford (pectoral) sidelined, Tanner Stower-Smith will start the game at prop. Maroons rep Kurt Capewell is back from a rest so Marata Niukore reverts to the bench. Hooker Sam Healey (thumb) makes his return on the interchange.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-FidowFullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki
-
Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne IsaakoWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
-
Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Jack BostockCentre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua
-
Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie FarnworthCentre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
-
Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Selwyn CobboWinger for Warriors is number 5 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
-
Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi NikorimaFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
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Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya KatoaHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire Martin
Forwards
-
Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Thomas FleglerProp for Warriors is number 8 Tanner Stowers-Smith
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Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-KingHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
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Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Francis MoloProp for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
-
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Connelly Lemuelu2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jacob Laban
-
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell
-
Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Morgan KnowlesLock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Max PlathInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam Healey
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Kurt DonoghoeInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
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Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Ray StoneInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga
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Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Felise KaufusiInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Marata Niukore
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 18 Bradley SchneiderInterchange for Warriors is number 18 Kayliss Fatialofa
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 19 Oryn KeeleyInterchange for Warriors is number 20 Luke Metcalf
Reserves
-
Reserve for Dolphins is number 20 Tevita NaufahuReserve for Warriors is number 21 Makaia Tafua
-
Reserve for Dolphins is number 21 Brian PouniuReserve for Warriors is number 22 Jye Linnane
-
Reserve for Dolphins is number 22 Trai FullerReserve for Warriors is number 23 Jason Salalilo
Dolphins Ins
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
- Isaiya Katoa
- Max Plath
- Selwyn Cobbo
- Thomas Flegler
Warriors Ins
- Jason Salalilo
- Jye Linnane
- Kurt Capewell
- Sam Healey
Dolphins Outs
- John Fineanganofo
- Tom Gilbert
Warriors Ins
- Jackson Ford
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Dolphins have scored 30 points or more in their last six games.
- The Warriors have won five from seven in Australia this season.
- Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth has scored eight tries in his last six games against the Warriors.
- Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will make his 100th appearance for the Warriors.
- Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako requires three points for 1,500 career points.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Don't miss out on your chance to see two competition heavyweights collide at Suncorp Stadium. Tickets are selling fast so click here to secure your seats before they are gone.
