New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
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Go Media Stadium will host a pivotal top eight showdown on Friday evening as the fourth-placed New Zealand Warriors, aiming to rebound from a shock loss, take on the eighth-placed Dolphins.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
New Zealand Warriors team news
The Warriors are facing a significant personnel crisis in their spine. Wayde Egan (concussion), Chanel Harris-Tavita (calf), and co-captain James Fisher-Harris (calf) have all been ruled out. This forces a major reshuffle, with Te Maire Martin shifting to five-eighth and Samuel Healey named to make his NRL debut at hooker in a baptism of fire.
Squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Demitric Vaimauga 9. Samuel Healey 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Taine Tuaupiki 15. Jacob Laban 16. Freddy Lussick 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Eddie Ieremia 20. Bunty Afoa 21. Edward Kosi 22. Kalani Going 23. Makaia Tafua
Dolphins team news
The Dolphins' prospects are bolstered by the timely return of three key veterans. Kodi Nikorima (hamstring) is back at five-eighth, allowing the versatile Jake Averillo to shift to the wing, while the experienced forward duo of Felise Kaufusi (knee) and Mark Nicholls (concussion) add steel to their pack.
Squad: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Max Feagai 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jake Averillo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe 14. Ray Stone 15. Aublix Tawha 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Josh Kerr 18. Harrison Graham 19. Peter Hola 20. LJ Nonu 21. Kenny Bromwich 22. Tevita Naufahu
New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins prediction
The New Zealand Warriors (4th) have had their fortress mentality tested recently, with their form slipping to three wins from their last five outings. They suffered a significant setback in Round 21, falling 24-16 at home to the lowly Gold Coast Titans.
The Dolphins (8th) are clinging to their spot in the finals race but possess the statistics of a much higher-ranked team. Their +169 points differential is the third-best in the competition, highlighting an explosive attack that has delivered several victories. They travel to Auckland after their bye.
The absence of Wayde Egan will be profoundly felt in the middle of the field. He leads the team with 714 tackles, and his defensive workload and crisp service from dummy-half are central to the Warriors' game plan
Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako is the NRL's premier point-scorer, leading the competition with 212 points from 9 tries and 88 goals.
The Warriors hold a 4-2 advantage over the Dolphins from six meetings and have never lost to the Dolphins in Auckland. Their clash earlier this season in Round 11 was a tight affair, with the Warriors emerging victorious 16-12 at Suncorp Stadium.
A severely depleted Warriors team hosts a confident, reinforced and rested Dolphins outfit that is well-equipped to exploit the disruption in the Warriors' ranks.
New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins tip: Dolphins to win & Jamayne Isaako to score 10+ points
