SUNDAY MAY 26th 2024 GO MEDIA STADIUM AUCKLAND NZ
Two Teams Set for Epic Showdown in Auckland
Two teams riding high after wins at Magic Round will face off in a Round 12 clash in Auckland, promising a feast of free-flowing football.
Warriors Show Resilience with Memorable Win
The Warriors dug deep to arrest a four-game losing slide with a memorable win over the premiers as Taine Tuaupiki and Te Maire Martin stood tall in front of a raucous crowd at Suncorp Stadium.
Injuries Plague Warriors Ahead of Crucial Match
In the absence of Shaun Johnson, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Tohu Harris, and Kurt Capewell, it was up to some of the Warriors’ lesser-known players to challenge the Panthers. They secured a 22-20 victory that could be season-defining.
Warriors Bolstered by Returning Players
The Warriors announced that Addin Fonua-Blake has been stood down for Round 12 following a breach of club standards. However, the team will regain the services of Marata Niukore (foot), Freddy Lussick (concussion), and Rocco Berry (hand). Fullback Taine Tuaupiki remains uncertain to play as he awaits the birth of his first child this week.
The Warriors are bolstered by the inclusions of Rocco Berry, Marata Niukore, and Freddy Lussick, who were all named on Tuesday to return from injury. However, Wayde Egan is a new addition to the casualty ward and will miss this game due to concussion protocols. Ali Leiataua, despite scoring his debut NRL try against Penrith, returns to the NSW Cup, while Paul Roache shifts from the bench to 18th man.
LATE MAIL..
Warriors centre Rocco Berry (hand) has been ruled out forcing a reshuffle with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad switching to the centres and Chanel Harris-Tavita coming in at five-eighth.
PLUS… The Warriors have a backline injury crisis with Charnze NIcoll-Klokstad ruled out due to illness and Moala Graham-Taufa will make his club debut in the centres.
Te Maire Martin: A Story of Resilience
One of rugby league’s success stories is Te Maire Martin, a rugby league player with resilience like no other. Martin will line up in the halves for the Warriors, where he has been playing consistently this season. In the absence of Shaun Johnson, Martin will serve as the key playmaker for his side, partnering with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad in the six this weekend.
Having been diagnosed with a bleed on the brain in 2019, Martin spent a few years on the side lines before linking up with the Brisbane Broncos in 2022.
Playing at fullback in first grade, Martin’s return home to New Zealand last year saw his role shift to the halves. His resilience was tested by a broken leg and other medical setbacks throughout last season. Martin will need to play a key role this Sunday for the Warriors to succeed.
Good luck young man.
Dolphins Maintain Strong Form
The Dolphins, meanwhile, continued their strong start to 2024 with a hard-fought win over the Wests Tigers, improving their record to 7-3.
Dolphins Confident Despite Last Year’s Slide
At the same point last year, the Dolphins were 6-4 in their debut season before winning only three of their final 14 games, which caused them to slide out of contention.
Dolphins’ Depth to Be Tested Against Warriors
A repeat of that seems most unlikely in 2024 with Wayne Bennett’s men showing greater resilience and boasting greater depth in their playing ranks to cope with injuries and the loss of star fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to Origin duty.
Key Changes in Dolphins’ Line-up
The Dolphins will fancy their chances even more for this game due to the Warriors’ extensive injury list.
Lock Max Plath’s return from concussion protocols sees Kenny Bromwich moving to the bench and Kurt Donoghoe to the reserves, marking the only change to the squad that defeated the Wests Tigers in Magic Round.
Team Line-ups
DOLPHINS
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
WARRIORS
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
Referee, Liam Kennedy, Touch Judges, Jarrod Cole, Nick Pelgrave, Bunker, Gerard Sutton.
Insightful Statistics
The Warriors have won only one of their past four games at Go Media Stadium.
Only two of the Dolphins’ 16 wins have been achieved outside Queensland.
Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake has scored five tries in his past six games at Go Media Stadium.
Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored seven tries in his past five games.
The Warriors have won three of their past five games against top-eight opposition.
Prediction
With the loss of Addin Fonua-Blake, this makes this assignment more difficult for the Warriors. I realise they stood tall last week against the Panthers, but can they do it again in front of a packed home crowd stadium? I am not so sure they can. BUT, the Warriors with a 9.5 points start is tasty. The Dolphins will start as favourites, so bet carefully.
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