Warriors v Dolphins: Ford set to motor; Big Three return
The atmosphere at Go Media Stadium will be electric as the Warriors host a home final for the first time since a 40-10 win over the Knights in week two of the 2023 play-offs.
With the Wahs Nation at fever pitch and expectation growing that the club's first ever premiership could be just three wins away, the Dolphins are heading into an intimidating atmosphere that will test their mental and physical resolve.
Coach Kristian Woolf is sure to have his men primed for their first finals match and the Phins have bragging rights over the Wahs courtesy of a 26-24 triumph in Round 17 at Suncorp Stadium.
The battle in the middle is set to rock the foundations of Go Media as James Fisher-Harris, Erin Clark and Mitch Barnett defend their turf against Tom Flegler, Max Plath and Tom Gilbert.
The prize for the winner is a week off to recharge the batteries before a preliminary final in front of a heaving home crowd daring to dream of a maiden premiership.
Match: Warriors v Dolphins
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Warriors
2nd Position
away Team
Dolphins
3rd Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Warriors: A huge in for the Wahs on the bench with Jackson Ford named for his first game since suffering a pectoral injury against the Cowboys in Round 16. Centre Leka Halasima is back from an ankle injury while rested duo Wayde Egan and Kurt Capewell also return for the qualifying final. Sam Healey, Adam Pompey and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava revert to the six-man interchange while Jett Cleary and Luke Laulilii are part of the extended squad. Tryscoring machine Dallin Watene-Zelezniak remains sidelined with a collarbone injury.
Dolphins: The Phins are at full strength for their first ever finals match with winger Selwyn Cobbo (ankle), back-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (knee) and five-eighth Kodi Nikorima (hamstring) all back on deck after being given last week off to rest up and overcome niggling injuries. Jake Averillo, Brian Pouniu and Tevita Naufahu all drop to the reserves.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine TuaupikiFullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadWinger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali LeiatauaCentre for Dolphins is number 3 Jack Bostock
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Leka HalasimaCentre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Alofiana Khan-PereiraWinger for Dolphins is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire MartinHalfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Dolphins is number 8 Thomas Flegler
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell BarnettProp for Dolphins is number 10 Tom Gilbert
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Max Plath
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Jacob Laban2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Dolphins is number 13 Morgan Knowles
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam HealeyInterchange for Dolphins is number 14 Kurt Donoghoe
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Tanner Stowers-SmithInterchange for Dolphins is number 15 Ray Stone
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Dolphins is number 16 Francis Molo
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Jackson FordInterchange for Dolphins is number 17 Connelly Lemuelu
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Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaInterchange for Dolphins is number 18 Felise Kaufusi
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Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Adam PompeyInterchange for Dolphins is number 19 Bradley Schneider
Reserves
-
Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Jett ClearyReserve for Dolphins is number 20 Jake Averillo
-
Reserve for Warriors is number 22 Luke LauliliiReserve for Dolphins is number 21 Brian Pouniu
-
Reserve for Warriors is number 23 Makaia TafuaReserve for Dolphins is number 22 Tevita Naufahu
Warriors Ins
- Jackson Ford
- Kurt Capewell
- Leka Halasima
- Luke Laulilii
- Wayde Egan
Dolphins Ins
- Kodi Nikorima
- Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
- Selwyn Cobbo
Warriors Outs
- Jye Linnane
- Morgan Gannon
Dolphins Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Warriors have scored an average of 39 points per game since Round 22.
- The Dolphins are chasing a club record eight consecutive wins.
- The Warriors have won eight from 10 at Go Media Stadium this season.
- Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako requires 12 points to become the fourth player to score 300 in a season.
- Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will make his 250th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
