Finals debutants the Dolphins have tonight been confirmed as the One New Zealand Warriors’ opponents in their week one finals clash at Go Media Stadium next Saturday (6.05pm kick-off).
The match-up was sealed after the Penrith Panthers ran away from the Wests Tigers 38-10 in their final regular season match at CommBank Stadium in Sydney today.
The Panthers went into the match sitting second on the table on 40 points, two behind the Warriors who picked up a club record 18th regular season victory beating the Sea Eagles 31-30 last night.
They needed to beat the Tigers by three points or more but that calculation proved no better than academic as they powered away scoring seven tries.
That consigned the One New Zealand Warriors to second setting them up for a week one finals encounter with the third-placed Dolphins who have qualified for the top eight for the first time in their fourth season in existence.
The Warriors have made the finals for the third time in four years in Andrew Webster’s coaching reign and the 11th time in their history.
This will be Warriors’ sixth home final following previous clashes against Canberra in 2002 (won 36-20), Parramatta in 2007 (lost 10-12), the Roosters in 2008 (won 30-13), Newcastle in 2023 (won 40-10) and Penrith in 2025 (lost 8-24).
The Warriors and Dolphins met twice this year with only two points separating the sides each time, the Warriors prevailing 20-18 in round eight on Anzac Day at Hnry Stadium in Wellington before the Dolphins stole a 26-24 victory with a late try in the round 17 meeting at Suncorp Stadium.
Throughout their rivalry, the clubs have shared results each season.
In 2023 the Warriors won 30-8 at Go Media Stadium and lost 10-34 at Suncorp Stadium while in 2024 they prevailed 24-20 at home and lost 32-34 in Brisbane. Last year they won 16-12 at Suncorp Stadium then lost 18-20 in Auckland.
In the other finals the minor premiership-winning Panthers will host the fourth-placed Sydney Roosters at CommBank Stadium, the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks (fifth) are at Allianz Stadium against the North Queensland Cowboys (eighth) and the South Sydney Rabbitohs (sixth) meet the Newcastle Knights (seventh) at Allianz Stadium.
NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series | Week 1
Friday, September 11, 7.50pm (AEST), Allianz Stadium
Elimination final: South Sydney Rabbitohs (6) v Newcastle Knights (7)
Saturday, September 12, 4.05pm AEST (6.05pm NZ), Go Media Stadium
Qualifying final: One New Zealand Warriors (2) v Dolphins (3)
Saturday, September 12, 7.50pm (AEST), Allianz Stadium
Elimination final: Cronulla Sutherland Sharks (5) v North Queensland Cowboys (8)
Sunday, September 13, 4.05pm (AEST), CommBank Stadium
Qualifying Final: Penrith Panthers (1) v Sydney Roosters (4)
