A massive Friday night clash at Suncorp Stadium sees the red-hot Dolphins take on a weakened but dangerous Roosters side during the Origin period. With momentum, ladder position, and finals credibility on the line, this shapes as one of the most intriguing matchups of Round 15.
Read Full Previews (links to all games)
- Rabbitohs vs Broncos → Read full preview: rabbitohs-vs-broncos-round-15-preview-2026
- Dolphins vs Roosters → Read full preview: dolphins-vs-roosters-round-15-preview-2026
- Warriors vs Sharks → Read full preview: warriors-vs-sharks-round-15-preview-2026
- Eels vs Raiders → Read full preview: eels-vs-raiders-round-15-preview-2026
- Wests Tigers vs Titans → Read full preview: wests-tigers-vs-titans-round-15-preview-2026
Matchday Details
Friday, 12 June 2026 – 8:00pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
📺 Nine Network / Nine Now / Kayo / Foxtel
Referee: Todd Smith | Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Dolphins: 1. Trai Fuller, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Jack Bostock, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Tevita Naufahu, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Isaiya Katoa (c), 8. Felise Kaufusi, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Francis Molo, 11. Connelly Lemuelu, 12. Oryn Keeley, 13. Morgan Knowles, 14. Bradley Schneider, 15. Kurt Donoghoe, 16. Tom Gilbert, 17. Ray Stone, 18. Sebastian Su’a, 19. Brian Pouniu, 20. John Fineanganofo, 21. LJ Nonu, 22. Sam Elliott
Sydney Roosters: 1. Cody Ramsey, 2. Billy Smith, 3. Reece Foley, 4. Egan Butcher, 5. Tommy Talau, 6. Hugo Savala, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c), 8. Naufahu Whyte, 9. Connor Watson, 10. Spencer Leniu, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Siua Wong, 13. Salesi Foketi, 14. Benaiah Ioelu, 15. Taylor Losalu, 16. Nat Butcher, 17. Rex Bassingthwaighte, 18. De La Salle Va’a, 19. Tom Rodwell, 20. Junior Tupou, 21. Toby Rodwell, 22. Max McCathie
Match Preview
The Dolphins are looking to continue their hot streak and take the Roosters’ top-four spot as the teams meet at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, in a game heavily impacted by State of Origin selections.
A club-record five wins in a row has seen the Dolphins surge up the NRL ladder, while their premiership odds continue to shorten. As impressive as their winning run has been, they are still yet to produce a complete performance. The Roosters, meanwhile, halted a mini-slide of two losses last weekend in Canberra, keeping the Raiders scoreless – a feat which will be far harder to replicate against the free-flowing Dolphins.
Despite losing five players to the Queensland Origin squad, the Dolphins have named a strong line-up — a testament to their growing depth. Several returning players are familiar faces who stepped up last season during an injury crisis.
Trai Fuller is a notable inclusion, earning another start at fullback in place of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. His selection is a reward for strong recent form and his recommitment to the club through to 2027. Tevita Naufahu is the other addition in the backline, and he has impressed in his opportunities at NRL level. With experienced centres and halves alongside Jamayne Isaako, the Dolphins should not lack points.
Oryn Keeley, who did so well in 2025 during the injury crisis, is named to replace Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, who got a well-deserved call up for Queensland for Origin 2. Brad Schneider gets the utility role with Max Plath out, and he joins a decent bench of club captain Tom Gilbert, Kurt Donoghoe (who was excellent in his return from injury), and the unstoppable force that is Ray Stone.
Oryn Keeley, who performed strongly in 2025, replaces Kulikefu Finefeuiaki following his deserved Origin call-up. Bradley Schneider takes on the utility role with Max Plath unavailable and joins a solid interchange rotation that includes Tom Gilbert, Kurt Donoghoe – impressive in his return from injury – and forward enforcer Ray Stone.
Unlike the Dolphins, the Roosters’ backline has been heavily impacted, with four players unavailable, including key spine members James Tedesco and Sam Walker. Fortunately, the experience of Daly Cherry-Evans provides stability in the halves alongside Hugo Savala, who has proven a capable replacement. Cody Ramsey starts at fullback, while young talent Rex Bassingthwaighte could also feature during the match.
There are three changes across the Roosters’ outside backs, with Reece Foley, Egan Butcher, and Tommy Talau named in the starting side.
This continuity in the Dolphins’ backline gives them a clear advantage. Their ability to score quickly through outside backs such as Herbie Farnworth – one of the premier centres in the game – and Jack Bostock has been a major strength throughout the season. Guiding it all is Isaiya Katoa, who continues to develop into a future elite halfback.
While the Roosters may lack experience out wide, they certainly bring power through the middle, with Naufahu Whyte and Spencer Leniu leading the forward pack. They will face a strong Dolphins front-row pairing in Francis Molo and Felise Kaufusi, with both sides capable of turning the contest physical.
The Dolphins have a strong record as the home side at Suncorp Stadium – they have won their last three as the home side on a Friday at Suncorp Stadium. And although they were thoroughly thrashed by the Roosters 64-12 last season at Suncorp Stadium in Round 23, the Dolphins are 7 wins from 10 vs Sydney teams as the home side at Suncorp Stadium. It’s 10 wins from 14 vs Sydney teams at Suncorp Stadium as either home or away side.
But the Dolphins haven’t beaten the Roosters since their first ever match in the NRL, but this would be the first time they enter this clash with arguably the better side on paper. The Roosters have good form in general against Queensland sides – they have won eight of their last nine matches vs Qld sides on a Friday and have won five in a row on a Friday vs Qld teams at Suncorp Stadium.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Dolphins by 16
Full Round 14 tips →
Bold call: A Trai Fuller masterclass with a swag of assists and tries to celebrate his rare chance at fullback and his recent re-signing to the club.
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Related
- Full Round 15 coverage → /nrl/2026-season/round-15
- NRL Round 15 Team Lists → /nrl-round-15-team-lists-2026/
- NRL Injury List → /nrl/injuries/
