Two teams riding high after wins at Magic Round square off in a Round 12 clash that promises a smorgasbord of free-flowing football in Auckland.
The Warriors dug deep to arrest a four-game losing slide with a memorable win over the premiers as Taine Tuaupiki and Te Maire Martin stood tall in front of a raucous crowd at Suncorp Stadium.
In the absence of Shaun Johnson, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Tohu Harris and Kurt Capewell it was left to some of the Warriors' unheralded players to take the fight to the Panthers and come away with a 22-20 triumph that could prove season-defining.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, continued their rollicking start to 2024 with a hard-fought win over Wests Tigers lifting them to a 7-3 record.
At the corresponding stage last year the Dolphins were 6-4 in their debut season before winning just three of their final 14 games to slide out of contention.
A repeat of that seems most unlikely in 2024 with Wayne Bennett's men showing greater resilience and boasting greater depth in their playing ranks to cope with injuries and the loss of star fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to Origin duty.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Warriors v Dolphins
Team News
Warriors: More changes for the home side with Taine Tuaupiki ruled out due to the imminent birth of his first child which sees Dallin Watene-Zelezniak shift to fullback and Edward Kosi called up from the reserves to start at wing. Freddy Lussick has also been reverted to the bench ahead of kick off with Paul Roache named to start at hooker after being promoted from 18th man. The news comes after Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was ruled out earlier on Saturday due to illness after he had been switched to centre to replace Rocco Berry, who was a late withdrawal after initially being named to return from a hand injury. Moala Graham-Taufa will make his club debut in the centres. His only other NRL appearance was for Souths in 2021 when he took the field as 18th man. Marata Niukore starts at prop in his return from a foot injury after the club announced on Thursday that Addin Fonua-Blake has been stood down for Round 12 following a breach of club standards.
Dolphins: A late shuffle sees Mark Nicholls revert to the bench, Felise Kaufusi named to start at prop and Connelly Lemuelu join the run-on side at second row. Lock Max Plath's return from concussion protocols pushes Kenny Bromwich to the bench.
Match: Warriors v Dolphins
Round 12 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Dolphins
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakFullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo MontoyaWinger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam PompeyCentre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo
-
Centre for Warriors is number 23 Moala Graham-TaufaCentre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
-
Winger for Warriors is number 22 Edward KosiWinger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack Bostock
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 20 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire MartinHalfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Bunty AfoaProp for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 18 Paul RoacheHooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
-
Prop for Warriors is number 17 Marata NiukoreProp for Dolphins is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Euan Aitken
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Mitchell Barnett2nd Row for Dolphins is number 17 Connelly Lemuelu
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Dylan WalkerLock for Dolphins is number 13 Max Plath
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 9 Freddy LussickInterchange for Dolphins is number 10 Mark Nicholls
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Tom AleInterchange for Dolphins is number 14 Josh Kerr
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jazz TevagaInterchange for Dolphins is number 15 Kenneath Bromwich
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Jacob LabanInterchange for Dolphins is number 16 Ray Stone
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 21 Zyon Maiu'uReplacement for Dolphins is number 18 Oryn Keeley
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Warriors have won only one of their past four games at Go Media Stadium.
- Only two of the Dolphins’ 16 wins have been achieved outside Queensland.
- Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored seven tries in his past five games.
- The Warriors have won three of their past five games against top-eight opposition.
Match: Warriors v Dolphins
Round 12 -
home Team
Warriors
11th Position
away Team
Dolphins
5th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
