Josh Mercer previews the final round clash between the Dolphins and the Warriors.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
The Dolphins Vs New Zealand Warriors
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Date: Saturday, September 2, 3:00pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Tesi Niu 4. Euan Aitken 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harrison Graham 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Isaiya Katoa 16. Max Plath 17. Herman Ese’ese 18. Valynce Te Whare 19. Mason Teague 20. Brayden McGrady 21. Trai Fuller 22. Kurt Donoghoe
Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Edward Kosi 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Ronald Volkman 8. Bunty Afoa 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Josh Curran 12. Marata Niukore 13. Dylan Walker 14. Brayden Wiliame 15. Jackson Ford 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Tom Ale 18. Kalani Going 20. Jacob Laban 21. Ben Farr 22. Zyon Maiu’u 23. Paul Roache
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Dolphins were outclassed last week by a Cowboys side that is holding on to the chance of playing finals football in 2023. The Dolphins did try hard, but handling errors didn’t do them any favours (they made 13 errors). Jamayne Isaako scored all his side’s points, including a brilliant in-and-away try.
The Dolphins can finish their season on a high with a win. The Warriors are resting several stars, including Shaun Johnson and Charnze Nicholl-Klokstad. Overall, it has been a pretty good season for Wayne Bennett’s men. They won games most expected them not to, and they can only go up from here. The Warriors beat The Dolphins 30-8 at Auckland in Round 14.
The Warriors almost conceded a try in the first nine seconds of their game against the Dragons, but Zac Lomax knocked the ball on. The Warriors made their opposition pay, scoring two tries going into the halftime break with a 10-nil lead. Addin Fonua-Blake got a shot at redemption after bungling a try in the first half by jumping on a Tyrell Sloan mistake to finish the Dragons off.
Andrew Webster has rested seven players. It seems like it may be a big ask for those players to step into the side, but back in 2002, a ‘Baby Broncos’ side pulled off an upset over the more fancied Wests Tigers; it may not be on the same level, but it may just be as good for Warriors fans.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Warriors 1, Dolphins 0.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Dolphins by eight points.
Follow Nothing But Rugby League on Facebook
