A sold-out Hnry Stadium awaits in Wellington for the in-form Warriors to take on the Dolphins, who went within a whisker of upsetting the Panthers last week.
The Dolphins are very well travelled this fortnight, after facing Penrith in Darwin, where they were cruelled in golden point extra time 23-22 by a Nathan Cleary field goal.
They will be hoping to harness the underdog spirit from their last meeting with the Warriors in New Zealand last year where they defied their growing injury toll to claim a last-gasp win.
The Warriors are sitting pretty at the top end of the ladder after doing enough last week against surprising bogey team the Titans.
Racing out to a 22-0 lead at half-time, the Gold Coast dug deep to fall to a fighting 20-28 loss.
Coach Andrew Webster will be hoping his side take lessons from their late lapse against a side who don't usually have trouble scoring points.
Match: Warriors v Dolphins
Round 8 -
home Team
Warriors
2nd Position
away Team
Dolphins
12th Position
Venue: Hnry Stadium, Wellington
Team news
One New Zealand Warriors: No changes to the starting 13 in Friday's 24-hour update, with coach Andrew Webster making one change to his six-man bench. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava comes on to the interchange, in place of Marata Niukore. Adam Pompey also dropped out of the squad. Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad misses the match after suffering a neck injury with Taine Tuaupiki returning to the starting side. Standoff Chanel Harris-Tavita will play his 100th NRL game. The Warriors have won four of their last five games in Wellington.
Dolphins: Morgan Knowles dropped out of the side in Friday's team update due to a calf injury, Tom Flegler coming into the starting side at lock in his place. Brian Pouniu is the new man on the interchange as a result, while John Fineanganofo remains in the reserves. Livewire fullback Trai Fuller is set to play a greater role after coming on to the bench for Saturday's clash. Brad Schneider will also carry more responsibility as Kodi Nikorima's replacement at standoff. Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako has scored six tries in five games in New Zealand.
Match: Warriors v Dolphins
Round 8 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Dolphins
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine TuaupikiFullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Roger Tuivasa-SheckCentre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Ali LeiatauaCentre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Alofiana Khan-PereiraWinger for Dolphins is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Dolphins is number 17 Trai Fuller
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Tanah BoydHalfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Dolphins is number 10 Francis Molo
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Dolphins is number 9 Max Plath
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jackson FordProp for Dolphins is number 15 Thomas Flegler
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Leka Halasima2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Connelly Lemuelu
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Dolphins is number 8 Tom Gilbert
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam HealeyInterchange for Dolphins is number 14 Ray Stone
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Mitchell BarnettInterchange for Dolphins is number 16 Felise Kaufusi
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Dolphins is number 18 Lewis Symonds
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Jacob LabanInterchange for Dolphins is number 19 Tevita Naufahu
Reserves
-
Reserve for Warriors is number 20 Luke HansonReserve for Dolphins is number 20 Brian Pouniu
-
Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaReserve for Dolphins is number 22 John Fineanganofo
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat attack
- The Warriors have won four of their last five games in Wellington.
- Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako has scored six tries in five games in New Zealand.
- Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored six tries in his last three games.
- Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth has scored seven tries in his last five games against the Warriors.
- Warriors standoff Chanel Harris-Tavita will play his 100th NRL game.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
