Matchday Details
Friday, August 1 – 6pm (AEST) – Go Media Stadium
📺 Broadcast: Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Ashley Klein | Bunker: Chris Butler
Warriors
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
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
Match Preview
A very important game for two finals contenders plays out at Go Media Stadium for the early kick off on Friday, as the Warriors try to keep their top four hopes on track and the Dolphins try to stay in the top eight.
The Warriors’ recent form is a worry, with a now traditional home loss to the Titans last weekend making it W4 L4 for their last eight games. Those eight games were from round 12, a round they entered in second position on the ladder: and a win over the Raiders would have seen them draw level on points with the competition-leading Bulldogs. A 50% win rate since sees them fall to fourth and are now just three points from fifth-placed Penrith. Ten rounds ago that gap was nine points. They have a generous run home, with the Bulldogs the only other current top eight team they need to face after this weekend. But one of those games is against the Gold Coast, a seemingly bogey team for them.
A loss this weekend leaves them potentially one point in front of Penrith, and their low for-and-against doesn’t do them any favours if it gets any closer, with the Broncos looming as well.
Talking of the importance of round 12, that’s when the Dolphins’ purple patch begun with a 44-8 win over the Bulldogs in Sydney, and saw them scoring points for fun. The Dolphins were 14th heading into that match, so the gap in ladder positions between these teams has halved since. A little more recently has seen the Dolphins form dip a little, with their last four games seeing two wins and two losses. Perhaps the growing injury list is catching up, or it is another late season fadeout. Their first top eight finish is within reach and in their own hands, as the upcoming games after this weekend include the teams they are directly fighting with for the top eight (Manly and the Roosters). A win in Auckland this weekend will give them some breathing space, and possibly a margin of error for the remaining five games.
Good news on the injury front for the Dolphins, a phrase that has been sparingly used this season, as Kodi Nikorima, Felise Kaufusi, and Mark Nicholls return. Not that Jake Averillo wasn’t great at five eighth last start, but his shift to the wing means the halves partnership of Nikorima and Isaiya Katoa is back together, a combination that saw the Dolphins the hottest team in the competition a month ago. The return of Kaufusi and Nicholls gives the Dolphins that extra finals experience that might just be the edge they need in potential tight games to come.
Some bad news on the teams front for the Warriors too with Chanel Harris-Tavita, James Fisher-Harris, and Wayde Egan all out. That’s some key players missing. Te Maire Martin is a decent replacement at five eighth, but it does mean the Warriors are now without their two top halves, after the season-ending injury to Luke Metcalf a few rounds ago. The Dolphins’ halves duo at full strength is a real advantage for them, given Tanah Boyd has been hot and cold since replacing Metcalf. Demitric Vaimauga replaces James Fisher-Harris, Sam Healey replaced Egan, and Freddy Lussick returns from injury on the bench.
Good news on the stat front for the Dolphins for one reason, that in the five games played between these sides since the Dolphins’ arrival no team has won consecutive games. A silver lining for the Dolphins after the Warriors won the clash in round 11 by 16-12. Bad news for the Dolphins relates to Friday games – Warriors have won all three home games on a Friday this season and the Dolphins have lost all three away games on a Friday this season. Fridays are the worst day for the Dolphins since entering the NRL as their win rate is just 33%.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Dolphins by 2
See our full Round 22 Predictions here: 2025 NRL Tipping: Round 22 Writer Predictions
Have your say: Who wins? Drop your tip in the comments or vote in our poll.
Related Links
- Round 22 Late Mail
- 2025 NRL Round 21 Injury List
- Power Rankings – Round 21
