A top-four showdown headlines Round 17 as the in-form Dolphins take on the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium. With winning streaks, returning stars, and ladder positioning all on the line, this clash shapes as one of the biggest tests yet for both sides.
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- Eels vs Rabbitohs → Read full preview: eels-vs-rabbitohs-round-17-preview-2026
- Titans vs Bulldogs → Read full preview: titans-vs-bulldogs-round-17-preview-2026
- Broncos vs Roosters → Read full preview: broncos-vs-roosters-round-17-preview-2026
- Dolphins vs Warriors → Read full preview: dolphins-vs-warriors-round-17-preview-2026
- Cowboys vs Panthers → Read full preview: cowboys-vs-panthers-round-17-preview-2026
- Sea Eagles vs Storm → Read full preview: sea-eagles-vs-storm-round-17-preview-2026
- Raiders vs Dragons → Read full preview: raiders-vs-dragons-round-17-preview-2026
- Knights vs Wests Tigers → Read full preview: knights-vs-wests-tigers-round-17-preview-2026
Matchday Details
Saturday 27 June – 3:00pm (AEST) – Suncorp Stadium
📺 Broadcast: Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Adam Gee | Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Jack Bostock, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Selwyn Cobbo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Isaiya Katoa, 8. Thomas Flegler, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Francis Molo, 11. Connelly Lemuelu, 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 13. Morgan Knowles, 14. Max Plath, 15. Kurt Donoghoe, 16. Ray Stone, 17. Felise Kaufusi, 18. Bradley Schneider, 19. Oryn Keeley, 20. Tevita Naufahu, 21. Brian Pouniu, 22. Trai Fuller.
New Zealand Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Te Maire Martin, 8. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Mitchell Barnett, 11. Jacob Laban, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Erin Clark, 14. Sam Healey, 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Marata Niukore, 18. Kayliss Fatialofa, 20. Luke Metcalf, 21. Makaia Tafua, 22. Jye Linnane, 23. Jason Salalilo.
Match Preview
Super Saturday arrives at Suncorp Stadium in Round 17 for a mouth-watering clash between the Dolphins and the Warriors. Both teams will be looking to stake their claim for second place on the ladder behind Penrith, with the Dolphins in third and the Warriors currently holding second.
The Dolphins are riding a seven-game winning streak after disposing of the Tigers 36-22 at Campbelltown last week. Coincidentally, the Dolphins’ last loss was to the Warriors in Round 8. The Warriors, on the other hand, got back in the winner’s circle last week after a 38-20 win over the Cowboys in Christchurch.
For the Dolphins, they welcome back a host of stars with Isaiya Katoa cleared to return after missing last week with a knee injury. Their contingent of Origin stars Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Max Plath, Tom Flegler, and Selwyn Cobbo are all back on deck after being rested last week. Tom Gilbert will miss this week with a minor throat injury.
For the Warriors, a huge blow to their forward pack with Jackson Ford requiring surgery on a pectoral injury he suffered last week. With Ford set for a long stint on the sidelines, Tanner Stowers-Smith starts in the front row in his place. Origin star Kurt Capewell is back after being rested last week, with Marata Niukore returning to the bench. Sam Healey also makes his return off the bench from a thumb injury that has kept him sidelined for the past few weeks.
The key for the Dolphins will be exploiting the Warriors’ depth in their forwards. With both Ford and James Fisher-Harris sidelined, the Warriors are lighter on through the middle. The Dolphins should be looking to play at a high tempo and bring their creative attacking players onto the ball as fatigue starts to set in. Their spine is reunited, and each of them presents a different challenge to the defence. All are capable of linking with the backline to score points. Katoa’s favourite target of late has been the high ball to Jack Bostock, so expect plenty of that again this week. The only dampener on that plan is the forecast, with the possibility of rain in Brisbane on Saturday.
The key for the Warriors is finding the quick play the balls, allowing Wayde Egan to run and get over the advantage line in attack. He ripped the Cowboys to shreds last week when he was allowed to run and ball play from dummy-half, linking with Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita on multiple occasions. With their depleted forward pack, that task might be tougher than usual. They should get plenty of work out of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who had a successful return to the wing last week with a four-try outing. Not only can he help with try scoring, the Warriors will need his workhorse runs out of the backfield if they hope to break down the Dolphins’ talented backline.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak makes his 100th appearance for the Warriors. Herbie Farnworth is on a try-scoring hot streak against the Warriors: he’s scored eight tries in his past six games against them.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Dolphins by 10
Full Round 17 tips → /nrl-round-17-predictions-2026/
Bold call: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scores a double on return to seal a tight win for the Dolphins.
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Related
- Full Round 17 coverage → /nrl/2026-season/round-17
- NRL Round 17 Team Lists → /nrl-round-17-team-lists-2026/
- NRL Injury List → /nrl/injuries/
