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Finals fever: Warriors v Dolphins; Sharks v Cowboys

Author: Jacob Grams NRL.com reporter
Timestamp: Sat 12 Sep 2026, 04:07 PM

Will it be the Warriors or Dolphins who earn a week off and march into a home preliminary final?

Will it be the Sharks or Cowboys keeping their premiership hopes alive in a sudden-death showdown at Allianz Stadium?

A sensational Saturday double kicks off in Auckland where the Wahs Nation will be out in force to cheer on Andrew Webster's men against first time finalists the Dolphins.

Since joining the competition in 1995 the Warriors have been to two grand finals but are still chasing a maiden premiership while the Phins are into the play-offs in just their fourth season.

The Sharks have been perennial finalists but since their premiership win in 2016 they have won only four of their last 15 finals games - a stat they will be desperate to turn around over the next few weeks.

Follow all the NRL Telstra Premiership Week 1 finals action on NRL.com's live blog.

Warriors v Dolphins at Go Media Stadium

Finals Week 1 - Finals Week 1 - Saturday 12 Sep

Live

3:52

Warriors

Dolphins

Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland

WatchNRL

Latest Team Stats

Kickoff: A fantastic evening for finals is underway in Auckland, with the Dolphins getting first use of the ball.

Injury update: Drama for the Warriors with Leka Halasima ruled out in the warm-up after he appeared to be clutching at his right hamstring. Adam Pompey comes into the starting line-up, with Jett Cleary elevated into the 19.

Team news

Warriors: A huge in for the Wahs with Jackson Ford named for his first game since suffering a pectoral injury against the Cowboys in Round 16. Ford is listed on the bench but could be called into the starting side closer to game day. Centre Leka Halasima is back from an ankle injury while rested duo Wayde Egan and Kurt Capewell also return. Sam Healey, Adam Pompey and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava revert to the six-man interchange. The Warriors have won eight from 10 at Go Media Stadium this season. Jett Cleary was omitted as the reserve in the 90-minute squad update, leaving a settled line-up for the home side.

Dolphins: Tevita Naufahu joins the game day 19 at the expense of veteran Felise Kaufusi in the only change to the Dolphins' initial 19-man squad. Winger Selwyn Cobbo (ankle), back-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (knee) and five-eighth Kodi Nikorima (hamstring) are all back on deck after being given last week off to overcome niggling injuries.