High-scoring loss but much improved performance

Late Mail

Wests Tigers: A few changes from coach Benji Marshall. Kai Pearce-Paul will have to wait until the season proper to make his first Wests Tigers appearance, with the second rower omitted from the match day squad as a precaution due to calf tightness – Alex Seyfarth takes his place in the starting side. Kit Laulilii has been ruled out as he goes through HIA protocols and is replaced in the squad by Lachlan Broederlow. In other changes, Alex Twal shifts to prop with Fonua Pole moving to the bench, while Sione Fainu joins the starting side at lock.

Penrith Panthers: No changes to Tuesday's named squad.

 

Warriors v Dolphins at Leichhardt Oval

Fulltime: The Dolphins steal the win late to finish 38-34 in front, with some help from their unheralded youngsters in the last quarter of the game. Overall, the Dolphins scored seven tries to six after trailing 18-10 at halftime. 

76th min: And another! The Phins next gen are putting on a show late with Brian Pouniu showcasing his speed and footwork at the line and beating four Warriors defenders to make his way over the line. Another conversion for Schneider and it's the Dolphins in front 38-34 in a big turnaround. 

73rd min: Phins go back-to-back in quick succession with hooker John Fineanganofo the next over the line. Try is converted and it's a tight game again 34-32 to the Warriors. 

70th min: Speedy young winger Tevita Naufahu narrows the gap for the Dolphins with a nice try to the peninsular team, with some of their uncapped young guns showing their skills to get the ball downfield. Schneider is able to convert for a 34-26 scoreline. 

Injury update: Young Warriors forward Paea Sikuvea comes off second best running into Tom Flegler and comes from the field. 

61st min: And another try for the Warriors, with Eddie Ieremia-Toeava out-leaping Fuller to bring a high kick down to score next to the posts. Tuaupiki converts and the lead extends to 34-20. 

59th min: Warriors are in again while Molo is in the bin, over the right-hand-side with Tuaupiki and Leiataua involved in setting it up for DWZ for his second. Boyd misses the kick and it remains 28-20. 

Injury update: Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa comes off early after copping heavy damage in a successful tackling attempt to prevent a try. 

55th min: Warriors take no time in taking their one-player advantage, with Taine Tuaupiki setting up Ali Leiataua with a dummy-and-pass to score. Boyd converts to extend the lead to 24-20. 

54th min: This time, it's the Dolphins turn to have one in the sin bin, with Francis Molo pinged for a shoulder charge, not wrapping his arms on a tackle.

47th min: The Dolphins use their possession and position to their advantage, with Isaako picking up a ball that was knocked down by the Warriors to scoot out by the right touchline to score. He can't convert his own try however and the score remains 20-18.

46th min: A successful captain's challenge for the Dolphins after Connelly Lemuelu was initially deemed to have knocked on a ball first challenging for a kick.

43rd min: The Dolphins truck up the field and are on a roll, ending with some fancy footwork at the line from Fuller who is able to dance around the defence to score. Isaako converts to narrow the gap to 18-16.

Second half: A few errors from both sides in the opening few moments of the second half.

Halftime: The Warriors take an 18-10 lead into the break, aided by a 59% to 41% possession rate. They have completion rate of 20/25, compared to 11/16 for the Dolphins. Both sides have made a few errors and conceded a few penalties, with the Warriors in front despite having a playing in the sin bin for 10 minutes. 

36th min: No matter - the Warriors get their try with some nice passing from the spine, including a tap on to Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who runs in and improves the position as he touches down to score. Boyd converts for 18-10.

33rd min: Warriors have a try to Jacob Laban overturned by the Bunker after his arm touches the deadball line and he knocks on his attempt to ground the ball. Fuller had tried to defuse the threat for the Dolphins, but the ball rolled away from his grasp, giving the Warriors forward a chance at scoring. 

22nd min: A strong run straight through the middle of the defence from English import forward Morgan Gannon sets up Wayde Egan to score to draw level. Boyd's kick is successful and the Warriors regain the lead 12-10. 

20th min: After a mixed start to the game where he has been playing hooker, Brad Schneider gets a try from dummyhalf, fooling the defenders on his way to putting his side into the lead. Isaako kicks the conversion this time for a 10-6 lead. 

14th min: Jackson Ford is sent to the sin bin for a tackle on Cobbo when he drops awkwardly on his legs. 

10th min: Dolphins don't take long to hit back after some entertaining play in the lead-up. Fullback Trai Fuller makes a break, but his pass hits the deck and finds a Warrior, but they then have the ball stripped away. Phins continue to go on the attack, swinging the ball out wide to the left to Selwyn Cobbo who goes flying over on the wing. Jamayne Isaako misses the conversion, so it's 6-4 Warriors. 

6th min: First try of the match comes to the Warriors with prop Jackson Ford proving too strong close to the line after the NZ side kept pushing up through the middle. The try is converted by Tanah Boyd for a 6-0 lead.

Kick-off: The Dolphins have first use of the ball in Friday night's opening match. 

Fun family fact: Three sons of former Warriors have been named to play this game. Haizyn Mellars, son of Warrior #106 Vince Mellars, is on the wing for the One New Zealand Warriors as he was against the Sea Eagles last Saturday while Warrior #206 Issac Luke's son Adaquix and Warriors #124 Nathan Fien's son Noah are both on the Dolphins' extended bench.

Late Mail: No changes to the squads named on Tuesday.