Debuts and multiple changes for regular season finalefinale

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Sat 2 Sep 2023, 08:01 AM

The Dolphins will be eager to finish their debut season with a victory in round 27 but face the finals-bound One New Zealand Warriors who haven’t lost in two months.

While the Kiwi side can’t move any higher than third, a loss against the Dolphins coupled with a Storm win over the Broncos would see them drop to fourth, so they still have plenty to play for on Saturday.

After holding a team to under 12 points for the first time since round 20 last Friday against the Dragons, Andrew Webster will be hoping his side have rediscovered their hard edge defensively as they seek to secure a club record-equaling eighth win in a row.

It’s a very different situation for the Dolphins, who haven’t won since the middle of July and face ending their first season without a win in their final seven games.

While they fought hard in an eventual 10-34 loss to the Cowboys, Wayne Bennett’s men put themselves under far too much pressure by making 13 errors and completing at just 63 percent.

Those stats were off brand for them in 2023, with the Dolphins having committed the fewest errors in the NRL through 26 rounds.

Earlier this year the One New Zealand Warriors came away with a 30-8 win when these two sides met in Auckland but at Suncorp Stadium the Warriors have lost their last three and five of their previous six.

Round 27 - Round 27 - Saturday 2 Sep

Full Time

Dolphins

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki
Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Edward Kosi
Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Tesi Niu

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry
Centre for Dolphins is number 18 Valynce Te Whare

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack Bostock

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Te Maire Martin
Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Sean O'Sullivan

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Ronald Volkman

Forwards

Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse Bromwich

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Bunty Afoa
Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Harrison Graham

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Freddy Lussick
Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Mark Nicholls

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Felise Kaufusi

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Josh Curran
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Connelly Lemuelu

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore
Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Kenneath Bromwich

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Dylan Walker

Interchange

Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Jarrod Wallace

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Bayley Sironen
Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Isaiya Katoa

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tom Ale
Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Max Plath

Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Kalani Going
Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Herman Ese'ese

Interchange for Warriors is number 23 Paul Roache

Reserves

Replacement for Dolphins is number 19 Mason Teague

Replacement for Warriors is number 20 Jacob Laban

Match Officials

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judge: Nick Morel
Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:39 AM

Team News

Dolphins: A change 24 hours before kick-off with former Warrior Euan Aitken dropping out, his place taken by Valynce Te Whare. Skipper Jesse Bromwich returns from a groin injury to lead the Dolphins in their final game, pushing Jarrod Wallace to the bench. Prop Josh Kerr misses the game through suspension so Max Plath joins the bench.

One New Zealand Warriors: Kalani Going and Paul Roache were added to the bench on Friday and will make their NRL debuts with Jackson Ford being rested and Brayden Wiliame moving to 19th man. Coach Webster has opted to rest the majority of his frontline stars. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak join Shaun Johnson in sitting out round 27, which opens the door for Taine Tuaupiki, Edward Kosi and Ronald Volkman to have a run in their preferred positions. Te Maire Martin makes his long-awaited return at standoff in place of Luke Metcalf (hamstring). Hooker Wayde Egan is replaced in the starting side by Freddy Lussick while Mitch Barnett returns from a leg laceration to replace Addin Fonua-Blake at prop. Captain Tohu Harris is out with a back injury, so Dylan Walker starts at loose forward and will lead the side.

Stat attack

Jamayne Isaako heads into the final round of the regular season leading the competition in both points scored (230) and tries scored (23).
The One New Zealand Warriors have won eight of their 11 away games so far, the equal second-best away record in the NRL. They haven't lost an away game since their Anzac Day
The One New Zealand Warriors have won only one of their past seven games at Suncorp Stadium.
A win will see the Warriors register eight wins in a row for just the second time in club history.
The Dolphins have defeated three top eight teams in 2023: Raiders, Knights and Sharks.
The Dolphins have lost 10 of their past 11 games.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.