The Dolphins needed a late two-point field goal to prevail in their last meeting. Photo: RNZ
Warriors v Dolphins
Kickoff 5pm Saturday, 17 May
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
History
You don't have to go back too far through the history of this rivalry, with the Dolphins only entering the competition in 2023 and the head-to-head results sitting at 2-2.
Both teams have taken care of business at their respective homes over that span, so the Warriors are still seeking their first win over the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.
Centre Herbie Farnworth scored two tries, as the Dolphins held them off 34-32 last August in a wild Brisbane affair that saw the Warriors trail 20-8 at halftime, but level at 26-26 and again at 32-32 over the final 15 minutes.
Front-rower Mitch Barnett scored at try and Chanel Harris-Tavita slotted the conversion in the dying moments, before the teams began lining up field goals to break the tie.
Kiwis international Jamayne Isaako missed a two-point attempt and Harris-Tavita missed a couple from closer range, before the Dolphins subbed on former Warrior Sean O'Sullivan, who was immediately successful with his first attempt from 40 metres out.
Form
Since falling to Melbourne Storm last month, the Warriors have strung together four straight wins and their 7-2 record matches their best-ever start through nine games. Another win this week would put them ahead of the 2018 side, but they still have a ways to go, before surpassing the 11-2 start of the 2002 team that won the minor premiership and reached the Grand Final.
Luke Metcalf lands a field goal to deny the Dragons. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport
They have lived dangerously through that streak, needing a Golden Point penalty to edge Brisbane Broncos, surviving a strong finish by the North Queensland Cowboys at Magic Round and winning with a late field goal against St George Illawarra Dragons. If nothing else, they've shown resilience, but they'll need more, if they are to consolidate their second spot on the NRL ladder.
The Dolphins have been the epitome of inconsistent, losing their first four games, before winning three straight - including victories over both last year's finalists, Penrith Panthers and the Storm. They then lost back-to-back outings, before beating bottom-of-the-table Parramatta Eels last week.
They languish in 13th, but at their best, they're way better than that. It's anyone's guess which version turns up this week.
Teams
Warriors: 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Adam Pompey, 22 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 5 Taine Tuaupiki, 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7 Luke Metcalf, 8 James Fisher-Harris, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Mitchell Barnett, 11 Leka Halasima, 4 Kurt Capewell, 13 Erin Clark
Interchange: 12 Marata Niukore, 14 Te Maire Martin, 15 Jacob Laban, 16 Demitric Vaimauga
Reserves: 18 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 20 Tanner Stowers-Smith
Co-captain James Fisher-Harris has been named to return from the pec (chest) injury suffered last month against Melbourne Storm, while superstar Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (hamstring) has been a late addition to the starting line-up from the extended bench.
James Fisher-Harris returns from a month on the sideline. Photo: www.photosport.nz
Coach Andrew Webster lost the services of concussed forward Jackson Ford and piledriving Bunty Afoa (knee) this week, so RTS has been inserted at centre and second-rower Kurt Capewell takes up his natural role, with Marata Niukore reverting to the interchange.
Dolphins: 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2 Jamayne Isaako, 3 Jake Averillo, 4 Herbie Farnworth, 5 Jack Bostock, 6 Kodi Nikorima, 7 Isaiya Katoa, 8 Francis Molo, 9 Kurt Donoghoe, 10 Felise Kaufusi, 11 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 12 Tom Gilbert, 13 Ray Stone
Interchange: 14 Harrison Graham, 15 Mark Nicholls, 16 Josh Kerr, 17 Connelly Lemuelu
Reserves: 18 Sean O'Sullivan, 19 Oryn Keeley
The Dolphins have retained their side from last week's win over Parramatta Eels, with Tom Gilbert and Ray Stone swapping jerseys in the pack.
Player to watch
Wellington-born Tongan half Isaiya Katoa leads the competition in line engagements (101) by a wide margin - Sharks counterpart Nico Hynes is second with 78 - so he's a constant threat on attack.
His kicking game is probably second only to Penrith Panthers wiz Nathan Cleary and the Warriors will need to close him down.
Kiwi player to watch
So many to chose from, including aforementioned Katoa, but let's stay in the halves, where sneaky Kodi Nikorima is quietly having one of his better seasons.
The former Warriors has now brought up 50 games for three different clubs - Brisbane Broncos, Warriors and Dolphins - is proving an ideal foil to his partner in crime and would love nothing more than to get one over one of his old clubs.
What will happen
Logic suggests luck will run out on the Warriors sooner or later - or they will finally take their game to the next level, after so many close shaves.
All eyes will be on the return of Tuivasa-Sheck to centre and maybe that will be enough to spark his team to their fifth straight win.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
