Go Media Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 12 NRL game between New Zealand Warriors and Dolphins. The game kicks off at 4:05 pm with heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the New Zealand Warriors vs. Dolphins game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Sunday May 26, 2024 at 4:05 pm
Where: Go Media Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins Odds
New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins Preview
The Warriors pulled off one of the great Magic Round upsets and one of the finest backs-to-the-wall victories in their history to potentially save their season. But can their unlikely heroes maintain that intensity for another week against the in-form Dolphins before a much-needed bye?
The Warriors came from behind three times to edge Penrith 22-20 in amazing scenes. Andrew Websters line-up tweaks (many of them injury-enforced) worked a treat, with Te Maire Martin and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad excellent in the halves.
Fill-in hooker Paul Roache and match-winning fullback Taine Tuaupiki came of age, while Jazz Tevaga, Mitch Barnett and Dylan Walker led an aggressive engine-room effort.
More casualties for the Warriors, though, with Ali Leiataua and Wayde Egan out. But Freddy Lussick, Rocco Berry and Marata Niukore have all been named to return, as has Chanel Harris-Tavita in the reserves. Roache is demoted to 18th man despite a stellar showing after Egan went off.
The fourth-placed, 7-3 Dolphins have won three on the trot, following up spirited, high-scoring comeback wins over the Cowboys and Sea Eagles with a dour 24-12 defeat of the lowly Tigers in Magic Round, which was sporadically lit up by returning Hamiso Tabuai-Fidows attacking spark.
Max Plath (concussion) returns for the Phins, with Kenny Bromwich reverting to the bench and Kurt Donoghoe dropping out.
Both teams picked up a convincing home win over the other in 2023. Shaun Johnson inspired the Warriors to a 30-8 win in Round 14 in a second-half landslide, while the Dolphins cruised to a 34-10 final-round win over a side that featured just 10 first-choice players.
The Warriors have been underwhelming at Mt Smart this season winning one and drawing one of four matches and its tough to gauge whether the Magic Round miracle was the harbinger of a turnaround or a flash in the pan.
The Dolphins, still light on big scalps, could expect to pick up the two points in this pick em the comparative strength of these line-ups. But this is only their second game outside Queensland in 2024, the other being against the Eels in steamy Darwin.
Heading into hostile territory shapes as a potential shock to a smooth-running system.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins Tip
New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins Teams
Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tom Ale 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Jacob Laban 17. Marata Niukore 18. Paul Roache 20. Chanel Harris-Tavita 21. Zyon Maiu’u 22. Edward Kosi 23. Moala Graham-Taufa
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath 14. Josh Kerr 15. Kenny Bromwich 16. Ray Stone 17. Connelly Lemuelu 18. Oryn Keeley 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Jarrod Wallace 21. Kurt Donoghoe 22. Trai Fuller
