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Warriors v Dolphins: Injuries force reshuffle; Star trio return

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ljmpta.com
Timestamp

The Warriors sat second on the ladder after Round 11 but have lost four of eight since then to drop to fourth with the surging Panthers hot on their hammer.

A shock home loss to the struggling Titans on Saturday has left Andrew Webster's men vulnerable but they only face two current top-eight sides in the run home - the Dolphins this week and the Bulldogs in Round 23.

The Dolphins' superior points differential (+169) will come in extremely handy as they chase a maiden finals appearance and a win in Auckland could see them jump as high as sixth depending on other results.

Fresh off a bye the Dolphins will be ready to come out all guns blazing with Isaiya Katoa, Jake Averillo, Herbie Farnworth and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow looking to run the Warriors ragged.

Team News

Warriors: Te Maire Martin takes over at five-eighth from Chanel Harris-Tavita (calf) while Demitric Vaimauga starts in the front row in the absence of James Fisher-Harris, who is also nursing a calf injury. Hooker Wayde Egan has entered the concussion protocols so Sam Healey starts in No.9 and Freddy Lussick joins the bench on his return from an ankle injury. Taine Tauapiki also comes onto the bench. 

Dolphins: Three big ins for Kristian Woolf with five-eighth Kodi Nikorima (hamstring), prop Felise Kaufusi (knee) and bench forward Mark Nicholls (concussion) all named for the trip to Auckland. Jake Averillo goes back to the wing after filling in superbly at five-eighth against the Cowboys. Aublix Tawha goes back to the bench while Harrison Graham and Peter Hola make way.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Warriors is number 14 Taine Tuaupiki
    Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso  Tabuai-Fidow
  • Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
    Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
  • Centre for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
    Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Max Feagai
  • Centre for Warriors is number 3 Adam Pompey
    Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
  • Winger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
    Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Jake Averillo
  • Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Te Maire Martin
    Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
  • Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Tanah Boyd
    Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa

Forwards

  • Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jackson Ford
    Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Francis Molo
  • Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Samuel Healey
    Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy  Marshall-King 
  • Prop for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore
    Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Felise Kaufusi
  • 2nd Row for Warriors is number 4 Kurt Capewell
    2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Connelly Lemuelu
  • 2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Leka Halasima
    2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Oryn Keeley
  • Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark
    Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Kurt Donoghoe

Interchange

  • Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jacob Laban
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Ray Stone
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Freddy Lussick
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Aublix Tawha
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tanner Stowers-Smith
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Mark Nicholls
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Josh Kerr

Reserves

  • Replacement for Warriors is number 21 Edward Kosi
    Replacement for Dolphins is number 20 LJ Nonu

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ashley Klein
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Warriors have won both matches against the Dolphins at Go Media Stadium.
  • Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored seven tries in his last four games.
  • The Warriors have lost three of their last four home games.
  • Dolphins prop Francis Molo will make his 100th NRL appearance.
  • Warriors second-rower Leka Halasima has scored six tries in his last seven games.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the 

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National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.