NRL Team List: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak on extended bench

NRL Team List: Watene-Zelezniak on extended bench

Author: Richard Becht & warriors.kiwi & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Tue 15 Sep 2026, 04:00 PM

Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has been included in the extended squad for the One New Zealand Warriors’ NRL elimination semi-final against the Newcastle Knights at Eden Park on Sunday (6.05pm kick-off).

Less than four weeks after breaking his right clavicle (collarbone), the 31-year-old has today been selected in jersey #23 for the historic first NRL final played at Eden Park which is set to host the biggest crowd in history for a rugby league match in New Zealand.

Watene-Zelezniak is now in line to make his return after suffering the injury in the 45-26 win over the Rabbitohs on August 22.

If plays, Watene-Zelezniak will make his 250th NRL milestone appearance in a 13-season career which has spanned time with the Panthers, Bulldogs and Warriors.

While Watene-Zelezniak is in the frame, centre Leka Halasima has also been named on the extended bench after missing last Saturday’s 16-26 qualifying loss to the Dolphins.

Finals Week 2 - Finals Week 2 - Sunday 20 Sep

6:05 am

Warriors

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Alofiana Khan-Pereira

Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire Martin

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Sandon Smith

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-Harris

Prop for Knights is number 8 Tyson Frizell
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett

Prop for Knights is number 10 Cody Hopwood
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kurt Capewell

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Jermaine McEwen
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Jacob Laban

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Francis Manuleleua
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark

Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam Healey

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Harrison Graham
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Tanner Stowers-Smith

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Lachlan Crouch
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami Saulo
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Thomas Cant
Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Jett Cleary

Interchange for Knights is number 18 Fletcher Hunt
Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Morgan Gannon

Interchange for Knights is number 19 Toby Winter

Reserves

Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Makaia Tafua

Reserve for Knights is number 20 Kyle McCarthy
Reserve for Warriors is number 22 Leka Halasima

Reserve for Knights is number 21 Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
Reserve for Warriors is number 23 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Reserve for Knights is number 22 Dylan Lucas

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Leka Halasima
Makaia Tafua
Morgan Gannon

Dylan Lucas
Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
Kyle McCarthy

Jackson Ford

Match Officials

Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 9/15/2026 7:20:32 AM

Ruled out is prop Jackson Ford, who suffered an ankle injury in his comeback after being sidelined since June with a pectoral tear. In his absence Eddie Ieremia-Toeava is named as his replacement in the #17 jersey.

The rest of the side selected is the same as the one which started against the Dolphins.

The Warriors’ seventh home final is the first they have played away from Go Media Stadium.

It will be their second play-off against the Knights. In the first in 2023 the Warriors came back from a week one finals loss to Penrith to beat Newcastle 40-10 at Go Media Stadium.