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Dolphins v Warriors: Johnson drops out; Nikorima, TPJ on track

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The stakes are high as two teams sitting outside the top eight chase two crucial competition points on Sunday afternoon. 

The Dolphins fell outside the eight for the first time since Round 1 with a 34-40 loss to the Roosters last weekend and they are desperate to snap a concerning run of five losses from their last six games. 

Coach Wayne Bennett has been in this position before and is sure to have his team primed for Sunday's clash with the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium. While their attack has been on song, the coach will have spent the week focused tightening up their defence.

The Warriors currently sit 13th on the ladder, five points behind eighth-placed St George Illawarra and need a win over the Dolphins to keep their finals hopes alive. 

They welcomed back veteran halfback Shaun Johnson for last week's loss to the Eels and they hope the playmaker will hit his stride in his second match back from an Achilles injury. 

The Warriors prevailed 24-20 when the two sides faced off earlier in the year and they will need to replicate that performance to get a win at Suncorp Stadium.

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Team News

Dolphins: Forward Tevita Pangai jnr (calf) and playmaker Kodi Nikorima (illness) have been named to return after missing the Roosters clash and winger Jamayne Isaako will also play despite rolling his ankle last week. No late changes an hour from kick-off, with Lachlan Hubner retained as 18th player.

Warriors: Just days after announcing his retirement from rugby league at the end of the season, Shaun Johnson has dropped out of the squad 24 hours before kick-off. Te Maire Martin will start at halfback in his place. Demitric Sifakula is on the interchange for his fourth NRL outing and his first since being used against Brisbane in Napier last May. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has shifted to the centres with Moala Graham-Taufa dropping out and Ed Kosi coming back in on the wing. Taine Tuaupiki is 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
    Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze  Nicoll-Klokstad
  • Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
    Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin  Watene-Zelezniak 
  • Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo
    Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua
  • Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
    Centre for Warriors is number 4 Roger   Tuivasa-Sheck
  • Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack Bostock
    Winger for Warriors is number 5 Edward Kosi
  • Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
    Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel   Harris-Tavita
  • Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa
    Halfback for Warriors is number 18 Te Maire Martin

Forwards

  • Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
    Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin  Fonua-Blake 
  • Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Max Plath
    Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
  • Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Tevita Pangai Junior
    Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
  • 2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Marata Niukore
  • 2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Connelly Lemuelu
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell
  • Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Kenneath Bromwich
    Lock for Warriors is number 13 Dylan Walker

Interchange

  • Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Oryn Keeley
    Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Freddy Lussick
  • Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Mark Nicholls
    Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Tom Ale
  • Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Ray Stone
    Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Jazz Tevaga
  • Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Sean O'Sullivan
    Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Demitric Sifakula

Reserves

  • Replacement for Warriors is number 21 Taine Tuaupiki
  • Reserve for Dolphins is number 18 Lachlan Hubner

Match Officials

  • Referee: Wyatt Raymond
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Dolphins have conceded at least 21 points in nine consecutive games.
  • The Warriors have won two of their three games against the Dolphins.
  • Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored 12 tries in 11 games this season.
  • The Warriors have lost five of their past six games at Suncorp Stadium.
  • Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako has scored four tries in three games against the Warriors.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.