A special bye-week episode presented by ComfortGlaze as Gerard Cronin, the brains and voice behind Warriors Anonymous’ weekly highlights packages of the Warriors Harold Matts, SG Ball, Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup matches, joins TWL.

It’s a deep dive on the club’s junior programme, as well as the performances of the Warriors’ four teams below NRL level in 2026, the standout players and the young guns most likely to make the leap to the elite level.

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New Zealand Warriors related news, previews, reviews, history and opinion. Home of the This Warriors Life Podcast featuring Will, Brad and Fonzie.

This is a Frank podcast 🎙️

Brought to you by the Warriors-mad legends at Kingz Container Crew 👑- head to kingzcontainercrew.com for all your container packing and unpacking solutions, or hit the Work With Us tab to get a spot in the KCC squad.

With the support of PlaceMakers, New Zealand’s experts in trade since 1981. Know how. Can do. 🔨

And ComfortGlaze, the retrofit double-glazing experts 🪟 Head to comfortglaze.co.nz and select ‘This Warriors Life’ in the How Did You Hear About Us? section for your enquiry to receive a discount!

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• Wahs-Phins rivalry goes to another level

• Close game record hurting Warriors

• Laban comes of age

• Te Maire stuffs the stats sheet

• Looking back at Dallin’s first 100

• Shades of ’25?

It’s Monday morning and that 26-24 loss to the Dolphins in one of the most absorbing games of the season is still hurting.

The Warriors led 12-4 when the Dolphins lost linchpin Isaiya Katoa to injury just 13 minutes, while they pegged back an eight-point deficit to hit the front with five minutes to go. But they couldn’t close it out, allowing Selwyn Cobbo to score an equaliser before Jamayne Isaako buried the match-winning conversion two minutes from fulltime.

The bulk of the match stats hint at the knife’s edge encounter that it was. Possession was split evenly, the Dolphins had the barest of run metres (1,726 to 1,685) and post-contact metres (540 to 530) advantages, while the Warriors had a higher completion rate (80% to 77%) and a superior average set distance (42.14 metres to 38.37).

The Dolphins had the better of it discipline-wise, winning the penalty count 2-0 and earning six set restarts to three. The most striking discrepancy, though, was the Dolphins’ line-break (8-4) and tackle-break (44-30) advantages.

The 10-5 Warriors remain in second spot for the 11th straight week, but it was a crucial missed opportunity to make a break on the chasing pack – and gain on a Panthers side that lost for the second week in a row. The Dolphins joined the Warriors on 24 competition points, as did fellow Round 17 winners the Roosters and Knights.

A rivalry blossoms

The Warriors and Dolphins both cruised to home wins by 20-plus margins over the other during the latter’s 2023 debut season. But since then, the clubs have produced a succession of barnburners and nail-biters.

All six Warriors-Dolphins showdowns from 2024-26 have been decided by margins of four points or less.

Did Saturday’s heart-stopping loss sting a bit more than usual? That’s probably because in each of the Dolphins’ three wins over the past three seasons, they’ve hit the front in the 78th minute or later to snatch two-point victories.

Meanwhile, just two points separate the clubs after four wins apiece – the Warriors have scored 174 points and the Dolphins 172, while they’ve both scored 31 tries.

Jamayne Isaako’s field day in this rivalry continued with two tries a pair of sideline conversions, including the match-winner. In eight games for the Dolphins against the Warriors, he’s scored nine tries and scored 82 points.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored seven tries in as many games against the Dolphins and Herbie Farnworth has crossed seven times for the Dolphins in six appearances against the Warriors after both players dotted down in the first half on Saturday.

The 40,465-strong crowd at Suncorp Stadium was the biggest yet for a match that always draws well, bumping the average over 30,000.

Close but no cigar

While the Warriors have drawn praise for pushing Penrith to the limit and now going all the way with the streaking Dolphins despite a slew of injuries, the emerging elephant in the room is their inability to get the job done in close contests.

The Warriors’ third two-point loss in four outings gives them a 1-3 record in games decided by less than eight points this year, the only win coming against the Dolphins on Anzac Day.

Compounding that concern, their opponents were the last to score in each loss – the Panthers scored a try in the 70th minute, the Sharks kicked a two-point field goal in the 79th minute and Cobbo’s equaliser for the Dolphins came in the 78th minute.

Winning tight encounters was a key factor in the Warriors’ 2025 success, going 8-4 in games decided by a converted try or less. They were 6-1 at the same stage last season…with Luke Metcalf having played every game.

Laban the labourer

Jacob Laban scored the top Kingz Container Crew player rating against the Dolphins with 8.5, starring on the attacking side of the ball with his fifth NRL try and laying on another – both thanks to his outstanding aerial ability, latching onto a pair of Chanel Harris-Tavita bombs.

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The Warriors suffered twin defeats to their Canberra Raiders NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21s) counterparts in Round 17.

The Warriors’ Jersey Flegg side went down 30-22 to fast-starting Canberra Raiders on Saturday.

The Raiders scored the first three tries of the afternoon — all unconverted — before the slick combination of Warriors halfback and captain Jack Thompson, and five-eighth Harry Inch put winger Harry Tauafiafi-Iutoi over for his 17th try of the season in the 29th minute.

The Warriors’ other winger, Brandon Norris, grabbed his 16th try of 2026 in between a pair of Raiders tries.

Warriors front-rower Tepatasi Laumalili completed a double either side of another Raiders four-pointer to five-eighth Braydan Darmody.

The door was well and truly ajar for the visitors at 28-22 when skipper Darmody was binned with seven minutes left, but a subsequent penalty goal gave Canberra breathing space in the latter stages.

Interestingly, a week after starring for Queensland in its Under-19s Origin win, 18-year-old sensation Bishop Neal dropped back to the Warriors’ under-21s side following 10 standout appearances in NSW Cup.

The 7-7 Warriors remain in eighth spot on the Jersey Flegg Cup ladder.

JERSEY FLEGG CUP - ROUND 17: Canberra Raiders 30 defeated Warriors 22 (Harry Tauafiafi-Iutoi, Brandon Norris tries; Harry Inch 3 goals) at Kirkham Oval

The Warriors made it back-to-back heavy losses in NSW Cup, following up last Saturday’s 44-16 defeat to Canterbury-Bankstown in Christchurch with a 34-16 loss to Canberra at GIO Stadium.

After riding the pine during the Warriors’ NRL clash with the Dolphins in Brisbane, Luke Metcalf, Kayliss Fatialofa and reserve Makaia Tafua all flew to the capital to line up in the NSW Cup starting side. Metcalf’s inclusion saw Luke Hanson revert to fullback.

The Raiders raced to an 18-0 lead after 27 minutes as the Warriors struggled to handle Coby Black’s kicking game. Returning winger Haizyn Mellars was outjumped by Kain Anderson for one try.

After a couple of nice touches from Metcalf, Tafua’s grubbing pass from dummy-half saw right winger Daeon Amituanai dive in for the Warriors’ first. He arguably would have had a second soon afterwards if NSW Cup had a Bunker, producing a spectacular finish that was too good for the referee and touch judge to believe was true with the naked eye after nice ball-playing from Jett Cleary.

Metcalf scored the first try after break — backing up a long break by Tafua — for 18-10, but the Raiders regained momentum to post three unanswered tries.

Tafua produced his third try assist of the day with five minutes to go, serving up a lovely pass for promising lock Jacob Auloa to plunge over for a consolation four-pointer.

Metcalf did virtually all of the general play kicking to a reasonable standard, seemed willing to run the footy and created some chances — but it was not enough to suggest Andrew Webster will be making an unforced change to his NRL halves pairing anytime soon.

Fatialofa worked hard for 134 metres on 17 runs but had a couple of unflattering moments in defence, while Auloa made 31 tackles and 12 runs for 101 metres to go with his try.

Taufua coupled his big day in attack with a game-high 40 tackles.

Of great interest to most Warriors fans after a rough day for NRL centres Adam Pompey (who was also put on report) and Ali Leiataua against the Dolphins, along with a hamstring to Dallin Watene-Zelezniak potentially stretching their thin outside-back stocks further, NSW Cup centres Jye Linnane and Sio Kali both ran for a team-high 163 metres and made three line-breaks between them.

The quicksilver Linnane also racked up 23 tackles.

Arguably the most logical straight wing replacement if DWZ is sidelined, NRL top-30 squad member Mellars — who was returning from an eight-week layoff — still looks some way off being ready for a top-grade debut.

The defending NSW Cup champs slipped to 10th on the ladder with a 7-7 record.

NSW CUP - ROUND 17: Canberra Raiders 34 defeated Warriors 16 (Daeon Amituanai, Jacob Auloa tries; Luke Metcalf 2 goals) at GIO Stadium

I know who you’re here to read about…but there were some genuinely outstanding individual showings from the Warriors in a 26-24 heartbreaker against the Dolphins to brighten up the Kingz Container Crew player ratings.

1 TAINE TUAUPIKI: A tough day to be a diminutive fullback and had his challenges at the back, but was generally very good at the defensive end and positionally. Couldn’t find the breaks that he has in recent weeks, but was always probing and finished with a team-high 184 metres on 21 runs with four tackle-breaks. 7.5

2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: A rocky start to the match under the high ball but recovered to score a well-taken try. A real trooper out of the Warriors’ end and had 12 runs for 102 metres when a hamstring injury ended his day in the 57th minute. Three errors, though one was an attempted intercept that potentially saved a try. 6.5

3 ALI LEIATAUA: An atrocious defensive decision gave opposite Farnworth a saloon passage for a first-half try, while he made a meal of whatever he was trying to do as Cobbo slithered through for the late leveller. Some strong carries in the second half to finish with 104 metres from 12 runs, but had trouble with Herbie (who racked up 10 tackle-breaks) all day long. 3.5

4 ADAM POMPEY: Four errors, a one-on-one lost ball that led to Isaako’s try late in the first half and getting stood up by opposing centre Bostock as Isaako scored his second made for a 2021-22 throwback display for a player that has painstakingly built a reputation as one of the Warriors’ more reliable in the Webster era. Stayed out of trouble a bit more on the wing — almost producing a try with a neat centring kick — until being part of the bumbling cohort that allowed Cobbo to score his decisive try. Made 19 runs for 150 metres and kicked a couple of big conversions among four-from-four, but also found himself on report for another knee-lift. 3

5 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD: Racked up 129 metres on 16 runs and scored another try in his wing renaissance, but Dolphins counterpart Isaako bagged a double — and neither made CNK look particularly good. 5.5

6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: CHT’s boot put it on a dime for Laban’s twin aerial efforts in the first half, while he had a big hand in CNK’s try. Did the lion’s share of the kicking and was busy in the ball-playing department, but overall is struggling to deliver the impact that marked the back-end of his partnership with Boyd. 6

7 TE MAIRE MARTIN: Huge try-saver in the corner on Cobbo (after almost stopping him from scoring earlier), had the try assist for Dallin after backing up Laban’s grab (after all but putting Capewell in early on) and made a line-break among 13 runs for 129 metres. Kicking game was arguably subpar on the whole with several bombs coming up too shallow, but another impressive performance playing to his strengths and was consistently dangerous with ball in hand. 8

8 TANNER STOWERS-SMITH: Rollicking opening stint with an inspirational try-saver to deny Nikorima in the corner and one memorable tackle-busting run among several strong charges. But after coming off in the 23rd minute, was only afforded the last 10 minutes and finished with just eight runs for 60 metres and 19 tackles. 7

9 WAYDE EGAN: Didn’t find the holes as easily as last week but tested the Dolphins’ defence consistently with six runs for 48 metres, while the wily rake made 26 tackles and was his usual clever, set-restart-attracting self before sitting out the last 20 minutes. 6.5

10 MITCH BARNETT: Another hefty shift from the skipper, leading all forwards on the field by some margin with 154 metres on 18 carries, including a line-break. A 59-minute effort included 35 tackles and he strived to set the tone for his side on both sides of the ball. 8

11 JACOB LABAN: The 22-year-old has come of age in 2026 and this was one of his best yet at NRL level. Climbed high to score the Warriors’ first try and set up their second, regularly bent the line back (for what felt like more than 10 runs for 69 metres), and was industrious and intimidating in defence in making a game-high 49 tackles. Absolutely outstanding. 8.5

12 KURT CAPEWELL: A welcome return for the Queensland Origin stalwart, but could arguably have done better with his gilt-edged tryscoring chance in the opening stages. Some big charges and a line-break among 11 runs for 82 metres and worked like a dog in defence with 44 tackles. 7.5

13 ERIN CLARK: Perhaps slightly subdued in attack with a well-below-average 94 metres from 12 runs, but made his presence felt with some strong runs, a line-break assist and 33 tackles without any misses. 6.5

14 SAM HEALEY: Got some decent match-closing minutes and enjoyed a massive moment when he backed himself and plunged over to put the Warriors in front — but the try will unfortunately be buried under the memory of the loss. Made another couple of dangerous runs and nine tackles during his 21 minutes. 6

15 EDDIE IEREMIA-TOEAVA: An energetic shift in the pack followed by a very handy stint filling in at centre, highlighted by a try assist for Charnze. Finished arguably his best display in the top flight with 12 runs for 114 metres and 34 tackles. 7.5

16 DEMITRIC VAIMAUGA: Showed a range of skills with a nifty grubber that nearly produced a try and some hot-stepping, though an unnecessary penalty was a disappointing moment. Nine runs for 70 metres and 21 tackles…but should we expecting a bit more impact-wise from the tyro week to week after what he seemingly promised heading into the season? 6

17 MARATA NIUKORE: A short 17-minute burst, during which time he made three strong runs and 15 tackles. 5

The Warriors have suffered a third two-point loss in four matches, courtesy of a wild 26-24 result in favour of the Dolphins at a slippery Suncorp Stadium in front of more than 40,000.

The visitors led by eight after 20 minutes, trailed by eight with 20 minutes to go and gamely battled back to hit the front late through Sam Healey.

But with less than four minutes left to defend their hard-earned advantage, the Warriors surrendered it again excruciatingly easy as Selwyn Cobbo scrambled over for the leveller.

Jamayne Isaako nailed the match-winning conversion from out wide with two minutes left.

The Dolphins will be celebrating a gutsy result that sees them draw level with the Warriors in equal-second after losing No.7 linchpin Isaiya Katoa to injury midway through the first half.

In a seesawing, dramatic and highly entertaining encounter where most of the key statistical areas finished relatively even, the Dolphins were easily the more dangerous attacking unit — making eight line-breaks to five (it was 6-1 at one stage) and 48 tackle-breaks to 30.

The fanbase venting is certain to zero on diabolical displays from Adam Pompey and Ali Leiataua, again exposing the Warriors’ age-old lack of genuine quality and depth in the centres in jarring and costly fashion.

Both sides scored tries from bombs early, with a Dallin Watene-Zelezniak drop leading to Selwyn Cobbo’s opener and Jacob Laban screaming through to take Chanel Harris-Tavita’s pinpoint kick.

In a frantic subsequent period, Te Maire Martin and Tanner Stowers-Smith produced stunning corner try-savers on Cobbo and Kodi Nikorima, respectively, while the Dolphins lost Katoa to a dislocated wrist — the game not even 15 minutes old.

The home side’s personnel blow was compounded by another CHT-Laban aerial partnership, with Martin accepting the second-rower’s brilliant repeat effort to send DWZ in for his 75th try for the club in his 100th appearance. Adam Pompey drilled the sideline conversion for 12-4.

The Dolphins recalibrated, however, and had the best of the remainder of the first half…aided by the eye-watering incompetence of the Warriors’ centres.

Ali Leiataua’s defensive rush of blood allowed Nikorima to send dangerman Herbie Farnworth cruising through in the 23rd minute.

The Warriors still looked set to head into halftime with a lead, until twin handling howlers from Adam Pompey — the latter having the ball stripped one-on-one by Nikorima in the first hit-up of a seven-tackle 20-metre restart — gave the Dolphins a late chance.

A right-side shift caught the Warriors short, with Harris-Tatvita’s valiant attempt not enough to deny Jamayne Isaako, who produced a sensational finish, from scoring his eighth try in as many games between the clubs.

Isaako celebrated passing 1,500 points in the NRL with the four-pointer by curling the conversion through from touch for a 16-12 advantage.

The Dolphins got right on top during the first 15 minutes of the second half, dominating the ruck and finding holes in the Warriors’ defence with alarming regularity. Nikorima and Farnworth were proving nearly impossible to handle as the visitors’ right edge repeatedly buckled.

The Warriors did remarkably well — or were at least fortunate — to limit the damage to merely another Isaako try after Jack Bostock beat Pompey all ends up.

The momentum eventually swung, though, and a slick scrum play with Chanel Harris-Tavita and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava (who switched to left centre following DWZ’s hamstring injury exit, with Pompey going to the right wing) combining to put Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad over.

After an ultra-tense period where the Warriors had most of the running, Healey plunged over from dummy-half in the 75th minute to grab the lead. Pompey’s fourth conversion of the afternoon made it 24-20.

But the Warriors’ failure to clean up the short kick-off — with the new right edge of Leiataua and Pompey targetted — fed into an almost inevitable conclusion.

Cobbo, who earlier made three errors carrying the ball out of the Dolphins’ end, picked up a loose pass and somehow turned a one-on-four into a score-levelling try…with Leiataua’s and Pompey’s laconic tendencies again exposed.

Isaako’s conversion never looked like missing.

Positives can be found in the performance of second-row tyro Laban, who was utterly enormous, while Mitch Barnett, Taine Tuapiki and Te Maire Martin put in huge efforts.

The Warriors head into their last bye licking physical and psychological wounds, with Watene-Zelezniak seemingly set to join Alofiana Khan-Pereira, James Fisher-Harris, Leka Halasima and Jackson Ford in the casualty ward, alongside season-ending setbacks to Tanah Boyd and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Rumoured mid-season pick-up Luke Laulilii, the 20-year-old winger from Wests Tigers, may need to come straight into the side — though he probably wouldn’t given the Warriors face the Tigers at Campbelltown in Round 19.

The likes of makeshift NSW Cup centre Jye Linnane could come into calculations with Pompey on report for another knee-lift, if he hasn’t played himself out of the team on form.

Meanwhile, the Warriors are now 1-3 in games decided by less than eight points in 2026 — after going 8-4 in 2025.

It’s an intriguing little juncture Andrew Webster and the Warriors find themselves in despite clinging to their top-two status, as they eye off nine-game stretch into the playoffs.

The Storylines

Coming off a huge few days in Ōtautahi Christchurch — culminating in a 38-20 win over the Cowboys under the One New Zealand Stadium roof to arrest a two-game slide — the Warriors head to Suncorp Stadium for the fifth time in 14 months.

Their assignment: A second-versus-third blockbuster against a red-hot Dolphins side that has their last seven matches. The last team to beat Kristian Woolf’s firepower-laden line-up? The Warriors on Anzac Day.

The Warriors’ injury woes have snowballed, with Jackson Ford’s 10-12 week absence due to a pec tear compounding season-ending setbacks for Tanah Boyd and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, and shorter-term complaints for Leka Halasima, James Fisher-Harris and Alofiana Khan-Pereira.

The Dolphins’ casualty ward consists only of Tom Gilbert and Jake Averillo — and the Redcliffe-based outfit’s been piling on the points with typical abandon while discovering some elusive defensive steel.

Another massive pro-Warriors turnout on the road awaits. The clubs’ three Suncorp Stadium encounters have averaged over 30,000 and Warrior Nation are eyeing up another takeover at ‘The Cauldron’ after owning Magic Round.

Meanwhile, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak becomes the 33rd player to bring up 100 top-grade appearances for the Warriors.

Ins and Outs

Jackson Ford’s injury sees Tanner Stowers-Smith come into the front-row, while Kurt Capewell’s return from a post-Origin rest pushes Marata Niukore to the Warriors’ bench. Sam Healey has been named in the No.14 again, bumping Makaia Tafua to the reserves — though that happened last week and Tafua was a late inclusion.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Max Plath, Tom Flegler and Selwyn Cobbo return for the Dolphins after being rested following Origin. Tom Gilbert has been ruled out.

The History

Overall record: Played 7 – Warriors won 4, Dolphins won 3; Warriors scored 150 points, Dolphins scored 146 points.
Biggest wins: Dolphins – won 34-10 at Suncorp Stadium, 2023; Warriors – won 30-8 at Mount Smart Stadium, 2023.
Longest winning streaks: 1 match.
Finals: None
Most appearances: Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins) – 7; Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins) – 7; Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins) – 7; Mitchell Barnett (Warriors) – 6; Felise Kaufusi (Dolphins) – 6; Mark Nicholls (Dolphins) – 6; Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins) – 6; Marata Niukore (Warriors) – 6; Ray Stone (Dolphins) – 6; Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins) – 6; Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors) – 6.
Most tries: Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins) – 7; Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins) – 6; Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors) – 6.
Most points: Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins) – 68; Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins) – 24; Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors) – 24; Shaun Johnson (Warriors) – 18.

The Stats

• Neither club has won consecutive games in this rivalry.

• The average crowd figure for the clubs’ seven clashes is over 28,600.

• The teams’ last five encounters have been decided by four points or less.

• The Warriors and Dolphins have both scored 29.57 points per game in 2026 (third in the NRL); the Warriors have conceded 17.43 points per game (second in the NRL) while the Dolphins leak 20.36 points per game (fourth).

• On their current seven-match winning streak, the Dolphins have scored 36.86 points and conceded 14.29 on average.

• The Warriors have won four of their last six matches at Suncorp Stadium; the Dolphins have won nine of their last 13 there — including their last four in a row by 18-plus margins.

• The Warriors are 7-2 away from Auckland in 2026 and 16-7 since the start of 2025.

• Jamayne Isaako has scored seven tries in seven matches, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak six tries in six matches and Herbie Farnworth six tries in five matches in this rivalry.

• Isaako averages almost 10 points per game against the Warriors — and he’s ticking along at almost 13 points an outing in 2026.

5 Key Match-ups

Taine Tuaupiki vs Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow: At opposite ends of the height scale, rival fullbacks Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Taine Tuaupiki and both enjoying outstanding seasons. ‘The Hammer’ has eight tries and seven try assists this season, while Tuaupiki has produced seven line-breaks in his last seven games and is ranked fifth in the NRL for tackle-breaks per game.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad vs Jamayne Isaako: CNK is coming off a four-try haul in his first NRL start on the wing since 2017…but he was also a little out of position as Braidon Burns bagged a double. Isaako has had a field day in this rivalry (including a brace in Wellington earlier this year) and is arguably in career-best form in 2026.

Te Maire Martin vs Isaiya Katoa: Martin has barely put a foot wrong since answering the No.7 SOS — notching four tries and six try assists in five games — but the difference between his and young superstar Katoa’s kicking games could be a key factor here.

Wayde Egan vs Jeremy Marshall-King: Egan got his running game going again against the Sharks and unleashed its full force to terrorise the Cowboys, while also producing two try assists. JMK has only been back in the No.9 for four games after an injury-stunted start to 2026 but has managed a line-break in his last two games.

Mitch Barnett vs Tom Flegler: The blonde-haired Origin opponents will be eager to set the tone up front for their teams, especially with fellow middle leaders Fisher-Harris and Gilbert out.

Last time they met

The clubs played out a scrappy Anzac Day thriller in Wellington earlier this year in front of a 34,812-strong crowd in 2026.

The Dolphins got out to an 18-6 lead after 20 minutes thanks to a Jamayne Isaako double, but the Warriors clawed back and snatched a 20-18 victory via a try to Taine Tuaupiki and a clutch Tanah Boyd conversion with 19 minutes left.

Why the Wahs Will Win: The Dolphins could hardly have been more impressive on their current seven-match tear, but they haven’t played anyone with decent form behind them since their loss to the Warriors. They’ve also been involved in a succession of blowouts, while the Warriors relish an arm-wrestle and should have the edge in the forward battle.

Why the Wahs Will Lose: With injuries starting to bit, the Warriors could be vulnerable on a fast track against a freewheeling Dolphins outfit — who they can’t afford to let get out to a double-digit lead like they did in Wellington.

The Punt: Head to Head — Warriors $2.25, Panthers $1.; Line — Warriors -6.5; Total Points Line — Over/Under 50.5 Points

Best Anytime Tyrscorer Options — Jamayne Isaako ($1.83), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak ($1.85), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow ($1.92), Te Maire Martin ($3.30), Connelly Lemuelu ($4.10), Erin Clark ($5.25)

The Verdict: This is a massive litmus test for both teams and a hugely important in the context of the top-four race. The Warriors are conditioned for these types of encounters, however, while the Dolphins have been coasting along — albeit impressively — against subpar opposition. Warriors by 2

The Warriors’ youngest rivalry has already featured a golden point edition, a heroic short-handed upset and a last-minute match-winner.

Overall record: Played 7 – Warriors won 4, Dolphins won 3; Warriors scored 150 points, Dolphins scored 146 points.
Biggest wins: Dolphins – won 34-10 at Suncorp Stadium, 2023; Warriors – won 30-8 at Mount Smart Stadium, 2023.
Longest winning streaks: 1 match.
Finals: None
Most appearances: Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins) – 7; Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins) – 7; Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins) – 7; Mitchell Barnett (Warriors) – 6; Felise Kaufusi (Dolphins) – 6; Mark Nicholls (Dolphins) – 6; Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins) – 6; Marata Niukore (Warriors) – 6; Ray Stone (Dolphins) – 6; Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins) – 6; Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors) – 6.
Most tries: Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins) – 7; Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins) – 6; Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors) – 6.
Most points: Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins) – 68; Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins) – 24; Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors) – 24; Shaun Johnson (Warriors) – 18.

The Warriors’ connection with the Dolphins was fostered in the two seasons prior to the NRL’s 17th team came into the premiership in 2023.

Jettisoned in Australia by the pandemic and unable to field a NSW Cup team, Warriors-contracted players Tom Ale, Daejarn Asi, Rocco Berry, Josh Curran, Kane Evans, Jackson Fri, David Fusitu’a, Eliesa Katoa, Otukinekina and Valingi Kepu, Ed Kosi, Dunamis Lui, Freddy Lussick Marcelo Montoya, Jack Muchie, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Sean O’Sullivan, Taniela Otukolo, Aaron Pene, Hayze Perham, Pride Petterson-Robati, Adam Pompey, Junior Ratuva, Preston Riki, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, Setu Tu, Paul Turner, Viliami Vailea, Ronald Volkman and Reece Walsh all turned out for Redcliffe Dolphins during the 2021-22 Queensland Cup seasons.

Meanwhile, the Warriors were permanently based in Redcliffe during 2022 – the last year of their COVID odyssey – and played their home games at the town’s Moreton Daily Stadium, most memorably with Shaun Johnson kicking golden point field goals against the Cowboys and Raiders there. Renamed Kayo Stadium, it would become one of the fledgling Dolphins NRL outfit’s home grounds the following season.

2023 – Big home wins in new rivalry’s first season

A Shaun Johnson masterclass led the Warriors to a 30-8 win in the inaugural meeting with the Dolphins at Mount Smart Stadium midway through 2023.

Johnson and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak completed doubles as the hosts turned a tenuous 6-4 halftime lead into a convincing victory.

With the club guaranteed a top-four finish, an under-strength Warriors side ventured to Suncorp Stadium in the final round. Dylan Walker captained a side containing NRL debutants Kalani Going and Paul Roache, with Ronald Volkman lining up at halfback.

Wayne Bennett’s out-of-contention Dolphins duly powered to a 34-10 win after leading 22-0 at the break.

2024-26 – Cliff-hangers abound

The rivalry tightened up in 2024. A week after their heroic Magic Round upset of Penrith, the patched-up Warriors – missing Taine Tuaupiki, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Addin Fonua-Blake and Wayde Egan from an already injury-ravaged side – recovered from a halftime deficit to grab a gutsy 24-20 home win over the Dolphins.

The Dolphins turned the tables in a Round 23 barnburner that crippled the Warriors’ shaky finals aspirations. The Warriors scored six tries to five at Suncorp Stadium as the match went into golden point, where ex-Warriors half Sean O’Sullivan buried a two-point field goal to snare a 34-32 triumph for the Dolphins.

In 2025, the Warriors held off a fast-finishing Dolphins outfit 16-12 in Brisbane with Luke Metcalf starring.

But a last-minute try to Kiwi Test winger Jamayne Isaako gave the Dolphins a pulsating 20-18 win in Auckland later in the season.

The Warriors went on to make the finals for the second time in three years, while the Dolphins faded late for the third consecutive season to miss the Top 8.

The clubs played out a scrappy Anzac Day thriller in Wellington in front of a 34,812-strong crowd in 2026.

The Dolphins got out to an 18-6 lead after 20 minutes thanks to a Jamayne Isaako double, but the Warriors clawed back and snatched a 20-18 victory via a try to Taine Tuaupiki and a clutch Tanah Boyd conversion with 19 minutes left.

THEY PLAYED FOR BOTH CLUBS

Kodi Nikorima: Former Broncos hooker/half and Kiwi international Nikorima joined the Warriors midway through 2019, playing 59 games for the club with moderate results. He shifted to Souths during 2022 ahead of reuniting with Wayne Bennett for the Dolphins’ foundation season. Playing some of the best football of his career in the Dolphins’ No.6, the veteran has played 73 of the club’s 86 games to date.

Euan Aitken: Former St George Illawarra centre Aitken joined the Warriors in 2021 and made a successful transition to the second-row, winning the Simon Mannering Medal in 2022. But he sought a compassionate release from the club rather than moving to Auckland, instead becoming part of the Dolphins’ inaugural squad. After turning out in 36 games for the Dolphins in 2023-24, he followed Wayne Bennett to Souths.

Sean O’Sullivan: A handy contributor in 12 games for the Warriors in 2021, former Roosters and Broncos playmaker O’Sullivan joined the Panthers in 2022. He was the Dolphins’ No.7 in their debut win over the Roosters but was largely a back-up half or bench option thereafter, playing 28 NRL games in their first three seasons before linking with the Bulldogs in 2026.

Poasa Faamausili: Roosters prop Faamausili became the Warriors’ first loan player during their COVID-stricken 2020 season, making four appearances for the club. He played for the Dragons in 2021, turned out four times in the top grade during the Dolphins’ 2023 debut campaign and moved to the Bulldogs in 2024.

This week, we mull ove…

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• Cowboys become Warriors’ bunnies

• Egan on fire

• TSS steps up

• CNK on a wing and a prayer

• Taine’s lucky breaks

• DWZ tons up

The Warriors arrested a two-game slide via an entertaining, at-times patchy 38-20 victory over North Queensland Cowboys under the roof at the spectacular One New Zealand Stadium in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

A four-try haul from Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad gave the Warriors a 20-10 lead inside 50 minutes, before Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Adam Pompey and Taine Tuaupiki crossed at regular intervals to keep the Cowboys at arm’s length.

The Warriors’ hogged possession at 56 percent, completed at 80 percent (37/46) to the Cowboys’ 78 percent (29/37), and steamrolled the visitors with 1,940 metres to 1,440 (including 607 post-contact metres to 406) and an average set distance of 42.19 metres to 38.93.

That dominance also translated to a 6-1 set restart advantage against the backpedalling Cowboys, while the Warriors finished with 10 line-breaks to six.

It’s only the fourth time the Warriors have racked up 10 wins in a season inside 14 games. The club has sat in the top two positions on the ladder at the end of a round just 29 times in their history – the 2026 season now accounts for 13 of those weeks.

Don’t have a Cowboy, man

The Warriors have taken a stranglehold on their rivalry with their fellow 1995 entrants, winning five straight against the Cowboys – and 10 of the teams’ last 13 encounters.

It’s the Warriors’ longest active streak against any current club, with three-match runs against Newcastle and St George Illawarra next on the list.

Wayde to measure

Earning a rare 9 in the Kingz Container Crew player ratings, Wayde Egan terrorised the Cowboys out of dummy-half with 126 metres, a line-break and two try assists.

After six consecutive games making less than 50 run metres, Egan has reignited that part of his game — running for 66 metres against the Sharks before Sunday’s season-high effort.

Egan’s eight try assists in 2026 are second in the NRL among hookers, after Cronulla’s Blayke Brailey (10), and are already an equal-career-high for a season. The NSW Origin hopeful has also made five line-breaks altogether this year.

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This Warriors Life

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The Warriors’ key-position players stand out in this week’s Kingz Container Crew player ratings, but there were impressive individual performers across the park in their 38-20 win over the Cowboys.

1 Taine Tuaupiki: On a day where his main competitor for the fullback spot had a four-try blinder on the wing, TT still took a firmer grip on the No.1 jumper with a dazzling performance in the second half in particular. Tuaupiki finished with two line-breaks, nine tackle-breaks and a game-high 218 run metres from 20 runs, scored a neat try to complete the Warriors’ scoring and had a decent time of it at the back. 8.5

2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak: Two line-breaks including a second-half try, 18 runs for 178 metres, and error-free. More than handy. 7.5

3 Ali Leiataua: Came in for plenty of work with 13 runs for 119 metres and grabbed an intercept to snuff out a dangerous Cowboys movement. Didn’t have to do a lot defensively otherwise, while also had an error and gave away a penalty. 7

4 Adam Pompey: A couple of silky try assists for Charnze was the highlight of Pompey’s afternoon, but also followed through to score a try from a Cowboys error, while he made 12 runs for 79 metres and 17 tackles. A forward pass call denied another try assist. 7.5

5 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad: Grabbed a first-half hat-trick — the first of his NRL career — in his first start on the wing since 2017, while he had 140 run metres by halftime. Soon after the break, he became just the ninth player to score four tries in a match for the Warriors. A bit quiet thereafter and ended up with 187 metres on 18 carries. 8

6 Chanel Harris-Tavita: Palmed off as Drinkwater scored in the first half but atoned with a wonderful pass to send CNK away for his third try. Had another key hand in two more of Charnze’s tries, kicked soundly and made 13 tackles. 7

7 Te Maire Martin: TMM’s ball-playing tested the Cowboys on both sides of the ruck during the first half, while he came into his own in the second stanza with a miraculous try-saving effort, a brilliant assist for DWZ (among three line-break assists) and a pinpoint bomb that resulted in Pompey’s try. Overall kicking game was much more assured playing behind a dominant pack. 8.5

22 Mitch Barnett: Hearty first-half performance from the late-inclusion captain, chewing through 16 runs for 129 metres. Came back for a 13-minute stint to tally a highly impressive 24 runs for 191 metres for the day along with 28 tackles, though a handling error and having the ball stripped were unfortunate moments. 7.5

9 Wayde Egan: Had the Cowboys in all sorts with his running game in the first half — making 97 metres in the first half alone from seven runs — but a line-break that should have finished with a try assist was foiled by a Drinkwater intercept. Brilliant long ball from dummy-half prior to that sent CNK in for his second. Another superb piece of deception to lay on Tuaupiki’s sealer and reeled off 26 tackles. Put himself right in the NSW frame for the decider. 9

10 Jackson Ford: The ironman exited after 20 minutes with a worrying pec injury, by which stage he had five runs for 54 metres and 11 tackles. 5.5

11 Jacob Laban: A persistent threat on the left edge, making a break to help set up CNK’s second and running great lines all day — including a bust late in the first half — that felt more frequent than nine runs for 74 metres. Climbed to take a bomb but was denied a try by a knock-on call. Made 27 tackles but missed eight. 8

12 Marata Niukore: Didn’t exactly shine eye-test wise, but was fairly busy in 54 minutes with eight runs for 72 metres and 22 tackles without a miss. 6

13 Erin Clark: Industrious in the middle with 16 runs for 133 metres and 27 tackles, and got his passing game going. Two second-half penalties were a slight downer but helped set the tone for a emphatic collective engine-room effort. 7.5

8 Tanner Stowers-Smith: Immediate impact from the hometown hero with 81 metres and 20 tackles by halftime after coming on around the 20-minute mark. Played 48 minutes and finished with 18 runs for 180 metres and a team-high 32 tackles. TSS’s progression is such a boost in light of the injuries to JFH and Ford. 8

15 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava: Saw 46 minutes of gametime and worked hard defensively for 25 tackles, but a little quiet on the attacking side with seven runs for 55 metres. 6

16 Demetric Vaimauga: Passing game was a standout feature in the middle, but was otherwise solid with nine carries for 69 metres and 19 tackles in 42 minutes across two stints. 6.5

21 Makaia Tafua: Two short stints for the local boy, making two runs and 10 tackles — looked very much at home without any standout moments. 5.5

The Warriors arrested a two-game slide and marked One New Zealand Stadium’s NRL debut with a 38-20 defeat of North Queensland Cowboys.

The 25,365-strong crowd rode the Warriors home as they turned a tenuous 14-10 halftime lead into a comfortable win, scoring four tries to two after the break.

Fill-in winger Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad had a day out with the first four tries of the match, but it was the touches of class from all four members of the spine and a typically dominant display from the Warriors’ middles that underpinned an important result.

The surrogate home team needed just six minutes to get on the board after winning the middle early and earning a couple of penalties.

After threatening on the left edge a couple of times, the Warriors went back there and a slick passing exchange sent winger Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad over. Soon afterwards — with the Cowboys on the ropes again — Wayde Egan’s cut-out ball from dummy-half near the line sent CNK over for his second.

A third try beckoned in the ensuing set when Egan cut through, but a sensational Scott Drinkwater intercept saved the day when Taine Tuaupiki seemed certain to score under the posts.

After a couple of missed Warriors chances, Drinkwater delivered on the attacking side of the ball with a long (possibly forward) pass for Braidon Burns to stroll in.

The scoreboard was locked up after 26 minutes following a Jake Clifford 40/20…and Drinkwater again imparted his influence, scythed through for a solo try.

Jacob Laban proved his aerial prowess near the Cowboys’ line but denied by a slight knock-on as he reached out to score. The Warriors hit the front again six minutes before halftime courtesy of a beautiful cut-out from Chanel Harris-Tavita, which allowed Nicoll-Klostad to streak away for a maiden NRL hat-trick.

A dream first-half four-try haul was denied by a forward-pass call as the Warriors continued to stretch the Cowboys’ right edge to breaking point.

Given the Warriors’ 61 percent share of possession, the 14-10 scoreline at halftime was something of a moral victory for the Cowboys.

Following near misses early in the second half for both sides, CNK had his fourth — just the ninth Warriors player ever to achieve the feat — thanks to yet another classy shift from Martin, CHT and Adam Pompey, who subsequently nailed the sideline conversion.

A phenomenal in-goal try-saver from TMM on Jaxson Purdue preceded a dangerous tackle from Jason Taumalolo on CNK that earned 10 minutes in bin. Shortly afterwards, Martin’s vision delivered a try for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and a 26-10 scoreline for the Warriors.

The Cowboys stayed in the contest with 18 minutes to go with Drinkwater again delivering for Burns.

But after a nervous period for the Warriors, they sealed the result when Burns couldn’t handle a bomb on his goal-line and Pompey swooped through to score.

Jeremiah Nanai busted through for an impressive consolation solo try in the latter stages.

The Warriors retained their outright second standing on the NRL ladder — as well as closing the gap on the competition-leading Panthers, who were tipped up by the Titans — ahead of a Suncorp Stadium blockbuster against the third-placed Dolphins.

The Warriors and Cowboys entered the premiership together in 1995 and have forged a tight, undulating rivalry in 31 seasons of competition. Some of the Warriors’ finest Aussie imports have come directly from the Cowboys and the North Queensland region, while a host of the Warriors’ greatest servants went on to finish their careers in Townsville.

Overall record: Played 47 – Warriors won 27, North Queensland won 22; Warriors scored 1,150 points, North Queensland scored 1,114 points,.
Biggest wins: Warriors – 52-6 at Mt Smart Stadium, 1996; North Queensland – 48-4 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 2022.
Longest winning streaks: North Queensland – 5 games (2003-05); Warriors – 4 games (2023-25).
Finals: Played 1 – North Queensland won 1.
Most appearances: Stacey Jones (Warriors) – 20; Matt Bowen (North Queensland) – 19; Micheal Luck (North Queensland and Warriors) – 19; Simon Mannering (Warriors) – 19; Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland) – 18; Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland) – 18;  Aaron Payne (North Queensland) – 17; Jacob Lillyman (North Queensland and Warriors) – 16.
Most tries: Kyle Feldt (Cowboys) – 13; Matt Bowen (North Queensland) – 10; Ashley Graham (North Queensland) – 10; Stacey Jones (Warriors) – 8; Nigel Vagana (Warriors) – 7.
Most points: Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland) – 134; Josh Hannay (North Queensland) – 78; Stacey Jones (Warriors) – 66; Shaun Johnson (Warriors) – 64; Valentine Holmes (North Queensland) – 59; Kyle Feldt (North Queensland) – 58; Matt Bowen (North Queensland) – 47; Gene Ngamu (Warriors) – 46.

1995-2002 – Warriors dominate battle of the ’95 entrants

The Auckland Warriors were the highest-profile of the four new clubs that entered the 1995 ARL premiership, while the North Queensland Cowboys were the least heralded of the quartet that also included the South Queensland Crushers and Western Reds – and early results between the teams reflected those statuses.

Veteran half Greg Alexander scored two tries as the Warriors cruised to a 28-10 win in their maiden visit to Townsville late in the ’95 season, with the Cowboys collecting the wooden spoon in their first campaign.

A year later the Graham Lowe-coached Cowboys – fielding foundation Warriors Whetu Taewa and Willie Poching – were trounced 52-6 in Auckland as Gene Ngamu racked up 28 points from three tries and nine goals, a Warriors club record that still stands.

North Queensland snared a win over Auckland midway through the 1997 Super League season, 30-22 at home, but a heavy defeat away in the last round consigned the Cowboys to another last-place finish. Former All Black Marc Ellis scored three tries from fullback in the 50-22 demolition.

The demise of the Reds and Crushers meant the Warriors and Cowboys were the only ’95 entrant survivors as the code came back together under the NRL banner in 1998. A Nigel Vagana hat-trick and a double to Kevin Iro spearhead a 34-18 Warriors win in their only clash that year.

Honours were shared one game apiece in 1999, and it was Lee Oudenryn’s turn to join the Warriors’ hat-trick bandwagon in a 40-14 late-season win in Townsville – avenging a 24-0 rout at the hands of the Cowboys at home earlier in the year.

The Warriors won both games between the struggling teams in 2000, ultimately helping them finish one spot above the wooden spoon Cowboys. But the Warriors’ 18-12 win in Townsville was marred by an ugly brawl that spilled over the sideline an injured a cheerleader.

Ali Lauiti’iti was sent off for a high tackle after just 10 minutes, setting the tone for a spiteful encounter. Cowboys duo Brett Boyd and Damien Smith, and the Warriors’ David Myles were suspended for a combined total of 11 weeks, while the clubs were slugged with $25,000 fines.

Despite reaching the finals for the first time in 2001, the Warriors lost both of their encounters with the also-ran Cowboys.

A 20-point haul from Ivan Cleary led the Warriors to a 50-20 away win over the Cowboys early in 2002, before Lauiti’iti bagged a double in a 34-6 mid-season success as the Auckland-based club powered to the minor premiership.

Beloved back-rower Kevin Campion – the Warriors’ first Origin rep – left the club after the 2002 grand final, taking up a deal with the Cowboys.

2003-08 – Warriors lassoed by rising Cowboys

North Queensland’s belated charge to a maiden finals appearance in 2004 – with Campion and Myles playing key roles – coincided with the Warriors’ tumble from contender status after three straight years in the playoffs, and the Cowboys compounded those contrasting fortunes with five consecutive wins in the rivalry from 2003-05 – including the only back-to-back wins at Mt Smart in their history.

Queensland Origin centre Josh Hannay had a pointscoring picnic at the Warriors’ expense, kicking 22 goals in those five encounters.

Home wins late in 2006 and early in 2007 saw the Warriors halt the Cowboys’ momentum temporarily, before enduring a double dose of Townsville pain later in the latter season. The Cowboys eked out an 18-12 regular-season victory and the top-four clubs met again in week two of the playoffs.

Semi-final, 2007 – Warriors wilt in the Townsville heat
The Warriors’ 2007 NRL premiership bid unravelled in a sweltering Townsville pressure cooker against a rampant North Queensland Cowboys outfit. The semi-final was controversially scheduled for a 4pm kick-off, despite the searing September heat and the fact Cowboys home games are almost exclusively played at night – even in the middle of winter. A 31-0 second-half run cemented an emphatic victory and a preliminary final berth for the Cowboys. The Warriors started strongly, with three-quarters Michael Crockett and Tony Martin crossing for tries inside the opening 16 minutes to provide the visitors with 12-6 lead. But they surprisingly turned down the option of a drinks break at the 20-minute mark and Cowboys hooker Aaron Payne set up a try for centre Ben Farrar soon afterwards to level the scores. North Queensland captain and linchpin Johnathan Thurston landed a telling blow two minutes before halftime, putting winger Ty Williams over in the corner with a wonderful long ball. The conditions began to take their toll on the Warriors in the second half as the Cowboys ran away with the match by posting five further tries and holding their opponents scoreless. There was little conjecture in the Warriors’ dressing room about the turning point of the match: “The biggest play was probably that try on the stroke of halftime,” coach Ivan Cleary said. “The guys came in and looked a little down during the break.” The Cowboys’ emphatic victory was tempered by a dangerous throw charge levelled at Thurston for a fourth-minute tackle he made on Warriors backrower Wairangi Koopu, but the Dally M medallist was exonerated at the judiciary and allowed to take his place in the preliminary final against Manly a week later.

2008-14 – Respite for Warriors as Cowboys fade

A Matt Bowen treble powered the Cowboys to a 48-20 drubbing of the Warriors early in 2008, but the northerners would go on to miss the finals for three straight years. The Warriors were top eight regulars and won six of their next nine games against the Cowboys.

The Warriors grinded out an 18-6 win in the final round of 2011 to leapfrog the Cowboys on the ladder into sixth spot. It would prove crucial in the context of the last season the McIntyre Finals System was used – both teams lost in week one, but while seventh-placed Cowboys were eliminated, the Warriors got another bite at the cherry and went all the way to the grand final.

The Warriors also snared a heart-stopping NYC Under-20s grand final win over the Cowboys in 2011. The Cowboys fought back from 14 points down with 10 minutes left to level the scores on fulltime, but Kyle Feldt missed a title-winning conversion after the siren. Jordan Meads snapped a golden point field goal to give the Warriors their second straight Under-20s premiership.

The Cowboys racked up their biggest-ever win over the Warriors – who were in the midst of a late-season collapse – in 2012, with Ashley Graham scoring three tries and Johnathan Thurston kicking eight goals in a 52-12 rout.

But the Warriors pulled off twin upsets of the heavyweight Cowboys early in 2013 and 2014, the latter their first win in Townsville for 12 years. Glen Fisiiahi notched a double and Konrad Hurrell played a crucial role off the bench with a second-half try in a 20-16 nail-biter.

The eventual champion Cowboys upset the hot favourite Warriors in the semi-finals of the inaugural NRL Auckland Nines, avenging a pool game defeat with an 8-0 shutout that silenced the Eden Park crowd.

2015-16 – Cowboys ride high again

The Cowboys have won the four most recent encounters between the clubs.

Round 7, 2015 – Granville’s late double-strike sinks visiting Warriors
North Queensland snatched a thrilling 28-24 win from a gallant Warriors outfit at 1300SMILES Stadium. The visitors looked to ruin Johnathan Thurston’s 250th game for the Cowboys by racing out to a 12-0 lead inside 10 minutes, but the hosts found their groove to score the next two tries. The Warriors restored their 12-point lead with tries either side of halftime to Solomone Kata and Manu Vatuvei, and were still 24-16 in front with 10 minutes to go. Cowboys hooker Jake Granville – who earlier scored his side’s first try – pulled the match out of the fire with two more tries from dummy-half, including the go-ahead four-pointer with less than two minutes on the clock.

With the injury-ravaged Warriors limping towards the end of 2015, the Cowboys overcame an early 16-0 deficit to romp to a 50-16 victory at Mt Smart in their Round 24 clash. Kyle Feldt scorched over for a hat-trick and Coen Hess scored on debut for the eventual premiers.

Ata Hingano’s eye-catching debut was a rare bright spot for the Warriors as they went down 34-6 to North Queensland late in the 2016 season, Feldt benefitting from the Cowboys’ dominance again with another two tries.

The Warriors – despite missing linchpin Shaun Johnson – showed more fight during the back-end of 2017, holding their hosts to a 12-all halftime scoreline and staying in the contest until the final 30 seconds, when Javid Bowen ran the length to seal a 24-12 victory for the Cowboys.

2018-25 – Warriors dominate ‘95 rivals

The Warriors scored a grinding 22-12 win over the struggling Cowboys in a historic Mount Smart double-header in Round 5 this year (the Tigers edged the Storm in the other NRL encounter), with David Fusitu’a bagging a double and Ken Maumalo also crossing in front of a rapturous 25,600-strong crowd.

The victory extended the Warriors’ watershed start to the season to 5-0.

The Warriors claimed just their second win in their last 12 visits to Townsville – and chalked up two wins over the Cowboys in the same season for the first time since 2002 – with a gritty 23-16 victory in Round 15.

The undisputed highlight was Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s 75-metre solo try.

The Cowboys regained bragging rights in 2019, outlasting a disappointing Warriors outfit at Mt Smart 17-10 early in the season.

Peta Hiku scored a hat-trick in a 37-26 Warriors victory at Gosford in 2020 – Stephen Kearney’s last in charge at the club. Kodi Nikorima and Eliesa Katoa were also outstanding in the see-sawing encounter.

TWL RD 5: KODI AND THE PACK STEER WARRIORS TO HIGH-SCORING WIN

The ledger finished square in 2021 and 2022, with both seasons’ showdowns featuring a thriller decided by a field goal.

The Warriors held on 24-20 in Round 8 of the ’21 premiership after dominating the first half in Gosford, but the Cowboys won a Townsville barnburner 29-28 with a late flurry four weeks later.

The Warriors had fought from 22-6 down to lead by six, with an unforgettable 90-metre try to Reece Walsh the highlight. A long-range try to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow with four minutes left and a booming Valentine Holmes field goal 40 seconds from fulltime sunk the visitors.

Staging another comeback in their Round 5 clash in Redcliffe the following season, the Warriors erased an 18-6 deficit to force golden point, where Shaun Johnson – in just his third match back at the club – drove a low, wobbly field goal through for a memorable 25-24 victory.

Fast forward four months and the Cowboys were on the way to a top-four finish while the Warriors were striving to stave off the wooden spoon. Their disparate positions on the ladder showed as the Cowboys wiped the floor with the Warriors 48-4 at home – a record margin for the Queenslanders in this rivalry.

The Warriors’ resurgence in 2023 under new coach Andrew Webster gathered steam in Townsville in Round 3 with a stunning 26-12 upset of the Cowboys, recovering from an early 12-0 deficit on the back of a phenomenal defensive performance, the class of Shaun Johnson and Wayde Egan, the grunt of Jazz Tevaga and Tohu Harris, and a Marcelo Montoya double.

The result was a harbinger of the Warriors’ charge to a top-four finish and the stalling Cowboys’ drop-off that saw them miss the finals after an outstanding 2022 campaign.

TWL RD 3: YEE-HAW! WARRIORS LEAVE COWBOY COUNTRY WITH A FISTFUL OF PREMIERSHIP POINTS

The Warriors doubled down with a gritty 22-14 win over the visiting Cowboys at a packed Mt Smart just four weeks later, with Dylan Walker starring as a fill-in five-eighth.

During a mid-2024 resurgence, the Warriors romped to a 42-12 victory — equalling their biggest in Townsville — with Te Maire Martin and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad shining.

In the clubs’ sole 2025 encounter, Luke Metcalf and Chanel Harris-Tavita starred in a 30-26 Magic Round win, holding off a Cowboys fightback after leading 28-12 at halftime.

THEY PLAYED FOR BOTH CLUBS

Whetu Taewa: A teenaged Kiwis tourist in 1989, nuggetty Canterbury (NZ) three-quarter Taewa played four Tests in the 1993 trip to Britain and France before becoming a foundation Auckland Warrior. Taewa had a key hand in the club’s first-ever try (scored by Phil Blake) and played 11 games in the top grade in 1995, before linking with Graham Lowe at North Queensland the following season and making 12 appearances. West Coast-born Taewa finished his professional career with stints at English clubs Sheffield and Hull KR.

Willie Poching: A highly-rated former Junior Kiwi, dynamic back-rower Poching played two first grade games for the fledgling Auckland Warriors in 1995, scoring one try. He linked with the Cowboys in ’96 and played 16 games, before embarking on stints with Hunter Mariners, St George, Wakefield Trinity and Leeds. Poching represented Western Samoa (1995) and Samoa (2000) at World Cups.

Se’e Solomona: A foundation Auckland Warrior, Solomona played in the club’s inaugural match against Brisbane in 1995, the first of nine appearances that season. He moved to North Queensland in 1996, playing four times for the Cowboys. As well as representing the Kiwis in four Tests in 1993, Solomona appeared for Western Samoa at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup and had stints with Sheffield, Oldham and Widnes in England.

Tyran Smith: A rangy backrower, Auckland-born Smith played eight Tests for the Kiwis between 1994 and 2000 and also represented Aotearoa Maori at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. He played a total of 188 games for seven different NRL clubs from 1993-2005, beginning with South Sydney before appearing for Super League-aligned North Queensland (nine games) and Hunter (two games) in 1997. When the game came back together, Smith spent 1998 with the Warriors (10 games) followed by stints with Balmain, Wests Tigers and Canberra. He is now a player agent.

Jason Death: A talented hooker/lock who played 57 games for Canberra, Death moved to North Queensland in 1996 and turned out in 45 first grade games in three seasons. The combative and inventive forward proved one of the Warriors’ finest recruits in 55 games from 1999-2001, winning the club’s player of the year award in his first season and featuring in its first finals campaign in ’01 before finishing his career at Souths.

Lee Oudenryn: Wing speedster Lee Oudenryn shot to prominence as a Parramatta rookie in 1992, famously beating Great Britain superstar Martin Offiah in pre-match sprint race during the Lions’ tour Down Under. After 50 games for the Eels, Oudenryn spent 1996 with the Gold Coast Chargers, then embarked on a four-season stay with the Warriors that garnered 23 tries in 61 games. Oudenryn finished his career at North Queensland in 2001, making three NRL appearances.

David Myles: A backline utility best known as a centre or five-eighth, Myles began his NRL career with the Gold Coast Chargers in 1998 before playing 41 games for the burgeoning Warriors from 2000-02 – including their maiden finals appearance in 2001. Myles played 57 games and scored 18 tries for the Cowboys from 2003-05 and featured in the club’s first finals campaign in ’04, but missed their grand final charge the following season. After a stint in France, Myles finished his career with the Titans in 2007.

Kevin Campion: Former Gold Coast, St George and Adelaide journeyman Campion won premierships with the Broncos in 1998 and 2000, before joining the Warriors. He was a key factor in the Warriors’ rise to credibility, helping the club to its maiden finals series in 2001 and a landmark grand final appearance the following season – consequently becoming just the fourth player ever to play in deciders for three different clubs. The tough, versatile forward played four Origins for Queensland during his two-year stint in Auckland and finished his career with the Cowboys, playing a similar role in their rise from perennial also-rans to finalists in 39 appearances in 2003-04.

Nathan Fien: Mt Isa-born Fien represented the Queensland Origin side in 2001 during his five seasons with the Cowboys – which garnered 91 NRL appearances – before linking with the Warriors in 2005. The half/hooker played 105 games for the Auckland club and made the first of 20 Test appearances for the Kiwis in 2006. After featuring in the Warriors’ 2007-08 finals campaigns, Fien was released to St George Illawarra midway through ’09. The utility’s five-season, 80-game stay with the joint venture included a premiership ring as part of the Dragons’ 2010 grand final-winning side.

George Gatis: Townsville-born hooker Gatis played 25 NRL games for the Cowboys from 2001-03 before falling out of the first grade picture. He resurfaced with the Warriors in 2006, scoring six tries in 39 games across two seasons that encompassed the club’s ’07 finals campaign. After a short-lived stint at Huddersfield in 2008, Gatis returned to North Queensland and played one game in the top grade.

Paul Dezolt: A fringe hooker at the Cowboys, Dezolt played 30 NRL games in five seasons before linking with the Warriors in 2004, where he made three first grade appearances.

Micheal Luck: Tireless back-rower Luck remains one of the most valuable and popular Australian recruits in the Warriors’ history. After 76 appearances for the Cowboys from 2001-05, the Gatton-born forward headed to Auckland and played 150 NRL games across seven seasons – eighth-most in the club’s history by the time he retired in 2012. Unlucky not to represent Queensland at Origin level, Luck won the club’s player of the year award in 2009, but after six seasons playing 20-plus games, his farewell campaign was hounded by injury. Luck returned to Townsville and is currently the Cowboys’ HR Manager.

Jacob Lillyman: No-frills prop Lillyman made his NRL debut for the Cowboys in 2003 and broke into the Queensland Origin side in ’06 after just 19 first grade appearances. After 62 games for the Cowboys, Lillyman joined the Warriors in 2009 and ended a three-year Origin absence in 2011 – the season he played an integral role in the clubs’ charge to the grand final. The super-reliable bookend finished up with 188 games for the Warriors (sixth in club history) and extended his Origin tally to 14 matches before joining Newcastle for the 2018 season.

Leeson Ah Mau: Otahuhu Leopards junior Ah Mau made two NRL appearances as a 19-year-old during the Warriors’ 2009 campaign. He was signed by the Cowboys and played a further 33 games in 2010-11, but eventually found his niche at St George Illawarra. Ah Mau had played 119 games for the Dragons by the end of 2017 and has turned out for Samoa in 16 Tests after debuting in 2013 and represented the Kiwis for the first time in 2018. He signed to return to the Warriors in 2019 and played 26 matches in a row, before a knee injury cut short his 2020 campaign. Ah Mau has been one of the Warriors’ most consistent so far in 2021 and has played in all seven games.

Grant Rovelli: A Mackay product, clever half Rovelli earned his NRL chance with the Warriors in 2006, playing 68 games in three seasons and featuring in the club’s 2007-08. Rovelli returned to his native North Queensland and played 26 games for the Cowboys in 2009-10.

Steve Rapira: The younger brother of Warriors stalwart Sam, Steve Rapira played 26 games for the Cowboys in 2009-10 before linking with his sibling and playing 14 games for the Warriors from 2011-13. Injuries hampered his stint in Auckland before he signed with Salford City.

Sione Faumuina: Versatile and supremely skilled, Faumuina was a 19-year-old debutant for Canberra in 2001, before returning home to Auckland the following season. Predominantly a back-rower, he played two Tests at five-eighth against Australia and made 88 appearances for the Warriors in five seasons, but off-field issues plagued his career, which wound down with stints at Hull, North Queensland and Castleford. Faumuina played 32 games for the Cowboys in 2007-08.

Brent Tate: The courageous Tate, who overcame multiple serious injuries to carve out an admirable and decorated career, played 114 games for the Broncos and featured in the club’s 2006 premiership triumph. He linked with the Warriors in 2008 for three seasons, becoming just their third Australian Test player, before joining the Cowboys and enjoying a remarkable representative renaissance until yet another season-ending knee injury brought the curtain down on his career in 2014. The veteran of 26 Tests and 23 Origins played 48 NRL games for the Warriors and 67 games for the Cowboys.

Lachlan Burr: Former Canterbury and Gold Coast forward Burr enjoyed his second coming as an NRL player at the Warriors, seemingly on the scrapheap after a stint in England. Burr played 37 of a possible 44 games for the Warriors in 2019-20 before linking with coach Todd Payten at the Cowboys in 2021, where he played 15 games.

Peta Hiku: Kiwi Test stalwart Hiku arrived at the Warriors in 2018 after stints at Manly, Penrith and Warrington. An elusive, silky-skilled centre very adept at filling in at fullback, wing or five-eighth, the Gisborne-born game-breaker played 73 games for the Warriors and scored 19 tries, but after an injury-hit 2021 campaign he was allowed to link with ex-Warriors coach Todd Payten at the Cowboys. The veteran got a second wind in Townsville, playing every match as the Cowboys surged into the top four and earning a Kiwis recall after a four-year absence. He left the club after 48 matches, joining Hull KR in 2024.

Jamayne Taunoa-Brown: Recruited from Norths Devils, Melbourne-born 23-year-old Taunoa-Brown was the Warriors’ 2020 rookie of the year – playing all but one game – but the mobile prop slipped down the pecking order the following season and finished 2021 at St George Illawarra. He was another ex-Warrior to reunite with Payten in 2022 and has played 33 games for the Cowboys, but he was not required during the 2022 finals and has been relegated to fringe player status.

Chad Townsend: Classy playmaker Townsend cut his teeth in the NRL with junior club Cronulla, before playing 41 games for the Warriors as Shaun Johnson’s regular halves partner in 2014-15. Returning to the Sharks in 2016 and winning a premiership, Townsend later spent another brief stint at the embattled Warriors in late-2021 – adding five games to his appearances tally with the club – after signing a rich deal to join North Queensland. The veteran was integral to the Cowboys’ amazing charge to the top four in 2022, playing every game in the No.7 jersey that year and extending his number of appearances to 70 before a 2025 swansong with the Roosters.

Daejarn Asi: Christchurch-born Aranui junior Asi arrived at the Cowboys via Keebra Park High, Brisbane Grammar School, Norths Devils and Townsville Blackhawks. He played 10 NRL games for the club at fullback, centre and five-eighth in 2020-21, before linking with the Warriors midway through 2022 and starting eight top-grade games in the halves. Asi was released by the Warriors at the end of the season but has proved a handy halves back-up at Parramatta.

Te Maire Martin: Waikato product Martin was an NYC gun for Wests Tigers but made his NRL debut at Penrith – breaking through for a Kiwis debut after just six first-grade games in 2016 – before switching to North Queensland midway through 2017 as an injury replacement for Johnathan Thurston. The five-eighth played a key role in the Cowboys’ remarkable run from eighth spot to that year’s grand final. A brain bleed discovered in 2019 saw Martin retire at just 23, but he eventually returned to the field in the relatively anonymity of the Waikato club competition and eventually to the NRL with Brisbane in 2022. He was a prized signing for the Warriors for 2023 and immediately became an integral part of their line-up, but a fractured leg suffered in Round 6 put him on the sidelines for two months before returning in time for the finals. Despite some further injury setbacks, Martin has proved a valuable and versatile performer in 46 games for the Warriors.

Karl Lawton: Ex-Titans utility Lawton played 33 games for the Warriors from 2018-20 — mostly as a hooker or second-rower — before joining Manly. His 115-game NRL tenure finished with 11 games for the Cowboys in 2025, after which he linked with Hull KR.

Viliami Vailea: Talented centre Vailea was an 18-year-old NRL debutant with the Warriors in 2021 but flamed out at the club, making only 17 top-grade appearances. He got back on track at the Cowboys — playing 32 games across the 2024-25 seasons — but has been stuck down the club’s three-quarter line pecking order in 2026.

Matt Lodge: Controversial former Tigers and Warriors prop Lodge joined the Warriors midway through 2021 and played 14 games for the club, performing well but exiting during 2022 after a highly-publicised off-field run-in with owner Mark Robinson. After similarly fractious stints with the Roosters and Manly, Lodge has played 12 NRL games with the Cowboys in 2026.

THEY COACHED BOTH CLUBS

Todd Payten: Former Canberra, Sydney Roosters and premiership-winning Wests Tigers forward Payten hung up the boots on a 259-game career and ventured into the coaching ranks. He led the Tigers to an NYC premiership in 2012 before joining the Cowboys, where he was an assistant to Paul Green as the club won its maiden NRL premiership. Payten joined the Warriors as an assistant in 2019 and the following season was installed as interim coach following Stephen Kearney’s axing. The nomadic Warriors ultimately responded to Payten and produced a sting of stirring late-season performances. The club offered him the fulltime role but he backflipped in bizarre fashion, revealing the reversal of his decision on NRL360, and signed a deal to take over at the Cowboys, who had sacked Green. After a difficult initial season at the helm back in Townsville, Payten steered the Cowboys to the top four and a preliminary final, earning Dally M Coach of the Year honours. Subsequent campaigns have delivered another finals appearance in 2024 along with some disappointing results, putting him under significant pressure heading into 2026.

PLUS another NO UGLY Salty giveaway and a Canterbury local for this week’s PlaceMakers Warriors legend.

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This Warriors Life

New Zealand Warriors related news, previews, reviews, history and opinion. Home of the This Warriors Life Podcast featuring Will, Brad and Fonzie.

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• Highs and low-scorers

• Home disadvantage

• TMM’s try spree

• Taine’s right-side bias

• Warriors confront NZ venue bogey

The Warriors were left to rue some crucial missed opportunities in the clutch during a 10-8 home loss to Cronulla on Saturday night.

In the lowest-scoring match of the 2026 NRL season so far, the adversaries scored a try apiece in the first half and were locked at 8-all into the dying minutes.

After Te Maire Martin had a field goal attempt brilliantly charged down by Will Kennedy, Braydon Trindall nailed only third two-point field goal this year to put the Sharks in front in the 79th minute.

The Warriors had a chance to send it into golden point on the bell, but Adam Pompey’s penalty attempt slid agonisingly wide.

The Warriors had only 45 percent possession and completed at a below par 79 percent, compared to the Sharks’ 84 percent. That considered, the Sharks had only small advantages in terms of run metres (1,535 to 1,414), post-contact metres (490 to 423) and average set distance (33.38 to 32.9).

The match finished with just two line-breaks apiece, while the Sharks broke 35 tackles to the Warriors’ 24. Penalties finished six apiece and the Sharks gave away three set restarts to one.

The 9-4 Warriors remain outright second — four points adrift of Penrith — but Manly, the Dolphins, Cronulla, Sydney Roosters and Newcastle sit just two points behind.

Highs and low-scorers

Cronulla’s victory represented just the fifth time a team has scored 10 points or less against the Warriors and come away with the win.

WARRIORS OPPONENTS’ LOWEST WINNING SCORES

4-2 v Melbourne - Round 13, 2007

8-2 v Brisbane - Round 11, 2019

10-8 v Brisbane - Round 19, 2012

10-6 v Newcastle - Round 15, 2021

10-8 v Cronulla - Round 15, 2026

11-10 v Parramatta - Round 22, 2000

Read more

Your TWL correspondent is back from a Penrose pilgrimage and frustrated with another two competition points gone begging due to a discrepancy in the clutch — Cronulla coming away with a heart-stopping 10-8 win over the Warriors after a start-to-finish arm-wrestle.

A try apiece just four minutes apart in the first half bookended by a penalty goal each left the scoreboard at 8-all heading into the dying minutes, where Te Maire Martin — one of his side’s best on the night — bottled a gilt-edged field goal opportunity.

After Will Kennedy’s freakish charge-down-and-regather of TMM’s strike, Braydon Trindall buried an epic two-point field goal with just over a minute left. The Warriors got the ball back from the kick-off and Adam Pompey subsequently had a tough penalty attempt to send the match into golden point, which slid agonisingly to the right of the posts.

It was a battle for the rugby league purists: tight, tense and fought on a knife’s edge. Enterprise and open play was strikingly rare, though. Probably fair to say the hosts got the rough end of the whistle, but the Warriors’ error rate and increasingly problematic lack of a long kicking game will dominate the discourse equally leading into next Sunday’s suddenly crucial showdown with North Queensland under the roof in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Not a huge variation in Kingz Container Crew player ratings scores with no one on fire but no shockers either ⚖

ENTER YOUR WARRIORS PLAYER RATINGS HERE!

1 TAINE TUAUPIKI: Outstanding positionally and under the high ball, while in a super-tight game 19 runs for 155 metres and four tackle-breaks was a great effort. Couple of tough handling errors counted against him. 7.5

2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: A lionhearted effort from the veteran, defusing kicks and churning out a game-high 22 runs for 160 metres with scant regard for his own body. Bad offload led to Sharks’ only try. 7

3 ALI LEITAUA: Put his hand up for plenty of tough carries (14 runs for 80 metres) and made 14 tackles, but missed a handful and came up with a couple of errors. Solid enough in a game fought in close quarters. 6.5

4 ADAM POMPEY: Early error put the Warriors under immediate pressure and gave away a penalty five minutes into the second half, but otherwise a decent showing. Made 11 runs for 89 metres and 16 tackles, while he kicked two good goals but just missed the one that would’ve sent it into extra time. 6.5

5 ALOFIANA KHAN-PEREIRA: Produced a string of hearty carries (six runs for 50 metres) but the last of those saw him succumb to injury at halftime. 5.5

6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Did the lion’s share of the kicking — adequately enough without being great — and defended very well (17 tackles), but a little flat on the attacking front with four runs and not much to speak of creatively. 6

7 TE MAIRE MARTIN: Again so much to like for a fourth straight week in the hotseat, with a strong running game highlighted by a superb solo try, and an astounding defensive showing that a hefty tally of 23 tackles only begins to tell the story of. He can’t help his lack of length on the last tackle, but there was distinct lack of attacking impetus at the Sharks’ end that has to fall somewhere near TMM’s feet. And that butchered field goal attempt in the dying stages was hard to watch… 7

8 TANNER STOWERS-SMITH: Made the most of his first starting opportunity of 2026, leading all forwards on the field with 16 runs for 137 metres in 50 minutes. Also had a team-high 50 post-contact metres, yet again impressing with his late footwork and leg drive. Racked up 29 tackles. 7.5

9 WAYDE EGAN: The wily rake’s best running game of the season so far with five runs for 66 metres and a line-break, as well as chewing off 43 tackles. Showed Laurie Daley what he’s missing. 7.5

10 JACKSON FORD: Yet another 80-minute effort up front, which entailed a team-high 51 tackles and 15 runs for 108 metres. Ultra-reliable if not as impactful as usual. 7

11 MARATA NIUKORE: Got his most gametime since Round 1 (50 minutes) and looked pretty good, appearing more impactful than six runs for 41 metres and 22 tackles would suggest. Signalled he’s not yet a spent force in a Warriors jersey. 6.5

12 JACOB LABAN: Played the full 80 minutes for the second time this year and put in a big defensive shift with 44 tackles, while looked damaging at times with the ball courtesy of eight runs for 61 metres with three tackle-breaks. Could’ve upped his attacking involvement but overall another step forward. 7

13 ERIN CLARK: Did what he does with remarkable consistency once again, tallying 14 runs for 124 metres and 35 tackles. No big standout moments but no complaints with the intent or effort. 7

16 DEMITRIC VAIMAUGA: Some back-fence charges among seven runs for 57 metres, but did his best work on the defensive side with 27 bruising and haranguing stops. 7

15 EDDIE IEREMIA-TOEVA: It’s been a luckless 2026 so far for EIT, so it was heartening to see the tyro get 47 minutes on the paddock — during which time he racked up eight runs 63 metres and a whopping 39 tackles. 7

22 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD: A fumble foiled a promising, rare break after coming on in as a wing replacement — a position he hasn’t started in since the 2018 NSW Cup season. Otherwise marked his return from an eight-week layoff impressively with 13 runs for 107 metres in only half a game. 6.5

14 MAKAIA TAFUA: An eye-catching 16-minute NRL debut for the Canterbury-bred hooker, chopping multiple Sharks in half with his trademark sting in defence among 12 tackles. Also looked very slick at dummy-half. Enough to suggest Healey has a fight on his hands for the bench hooker duties moving forward. 6.5

ENTER YOUR WARRIORS PLAYER RATINGS HERE!

ENTER YOUR WARRIORS PLAYER RATINGS HERE!

The Warriors-Sharks rivalry peaked with an unforgettable preliminary final showdown in 2002, but there’s been a plethora of regular-season highlights since. Cronulla has forged ahead in the overall ledger, but Shaun Johnson spearheaded a series of buzzer-beating wins and comebacks for the Warriors either side of his stint in the Shire. Incredibly, 19 of the club’s 52 encounters have been decided by five points or less, while the Warriors have enjoyed a recent pocket of dominance after largely struggling against the Sharks for a decade.

Overall record: Played 52 – Cronulla won 30, Warriors won 22; Cronulla scored 1,122 points, Warriors scored 980 points.
Biggest wins: Cronulla – 45-4 at Mt Smart Stadium, 2012; Warriors – 44-12 at Mt Smart Stadium, 2023.
Longest winning streaks: Cronulla – 5 matches (2012-14); Warriors – 3 games (twice – 2002-03 and 2010-11).
Finals: Played 1 – Warriors won 1.
Most appearances: Paul Gallen (Cronulla) – 24; Simon Mannering (Warriors) – 20; Shaun Johnson (Warriors and Cronulla) – 19; Stacey Jones (Warriors) – 17; Ben Matulino (Warriors) – 16; Andrew Fifita (Cronulla) – 15; Briton Nikora (Cronulla) – 14; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 14; Sione Katoa (Cronulla) – 13; Jacob Lillyman (Warriors) – 13; David Peachey (Cronulla) – 13; Sam Rapira (Warriors) – 13; Logan Swann (Warriors) – 13.
Most tries: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors) – 12; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 11; David Peachey (Cronulla) – 10; Ronaldo Mulitalo (Cronulla) – 9; Sione Katoa (Cronulla) – 7; Wairangi Koopu (Warriors) – 6; Nathan Stapleton (Cronulla) – 6; Colin Best (Cronulla) – 5; Jesse Ramien (Cronulla) – 5; Clinton Toopi (Warriors) – 5; Richard Villasanti (Warriors and Cronulla) – 5.
Most points: Shaun Johnson (Warriors and Cronulla) – 103; Luke Covell (Cronulla) – 60; Nicho Hynes (Cronulla) – 53; Mat Rogers (Cronulla) – 50; Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors) – 48; James Maloney (Warriors and Cronulla) – 47; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 44; Todd Carney (Cronulla) – 40; Ivan Cleary (Warriors) – 40; David Peachey (Cronulla) – 40.

1995-2001 – Sharks enjoy early running

The fledgling Auckland Warriors’ first clash with the Cronulla Sharks was a thriller, with the premiership newcomers prevailing 23-18 at Shark Park after scoring five tries to three against the finals-bound hosts. But the match was arguably more significant for being 19-year-old Stacey Jones’ initial first grade run-on appearance, starring at five-eighth and booting a field goal.

Bragging rights over the first seven seasons of the rivalry belonged to the Sharks, however, winning six of the first nine encounters between the clubs – including a 28-24 victory in their first visit to Mt Smart Stadium in 1996.

At the end of ’96, Cronulla and Auckland faced off in the reserve grade grand final. An experienced Sharks side saw off the gallant, Aaron Whittaker-led Warriors 14-12 at the Sydney Football Stadium.

One of the most memorable matches occurred in 1999, when a late Mitch Healey conversion from the sideline in driving Auckland rain snatched a 22-20 victory for the Sharks, the NRL’s eventual minor premiers.

2001-11 – Warriors claim the ascendancy

The Warriors marked the beginning of a 10-year period that would garner 11 wins in 18 meetings with the Sharks by swamping them 30-0 at Mt Smart late in the 2001 campaign, a result that was crucial in lifting the club to its first finals appearance.

Honours were shared in a pair of high-scoring showdowns in the 2002 regular season – the Warriors romping to a 42-20 win at home, the Sharks prevailing 36-24 in the return clash – before the heavyweight clubs squared off again in an epic preliminary final.

Preliminary Final, 2002 – Warriors grab maiden grand final berth
The minor premiership-winning Warriors gave away 10,000 tickets to anyone holding a New Zealand passport, ensuring the hometown advantage was blunted for the Sharks, despite a 45,702-strong turnout at Stadium Australia for the second preliminary final. Underdogs despite their lofty ladder position, the Warriors scored first after an ill-conceived pass from Paul Mellor was spectacularly snaffled by utility Motu Tony, who scampered 20 metres for a try in the 20th minute. The Sharks belatedly opened their account three minutes after halftime, hitting back when winger Matthew Rieck scored from a Brett Kimmorley bomb. The Warriors pushed to a 10-4 lead thanks to a stunning 50-metre solo try from boom centre Clinton Toopi in the 55th minute, but Kimmorley set up a tense final quarter when he darted over next to the posts to level the scores. With a maiden grand final spot on the line, it was left to Warriors talisman Stacey Jones to come up with the big play. The little halfback threaded an inch-perfect grubber through, sitting up beautifully for journeyman centre John Carlaw to latch onto with five and a half minutes left and securing a 16-10 triumph.

The Warriors racked up two wins over the Sharks in 2003, but the Shire dwellers won the next three games the clubs contested – including a 28-24 victory in Perth in 2005.

The rivals then traded wins for five seasons, with neither side able to go back-to-back in eight meetings from 2006-10.

The finals-bound Warriors broke that run in 2010, following up a 30-10 win at home in Round 2 – featuring a Manu Vatuvei hat-trick – with a 37-10 drubbing at Toyota Stadium in Round 22, rookie winger Bill Tupou this time notching a treble.

A sizzling double to fullback Glen Fisiiahi spearheaded the Warriors’ 26-18 win over the Sharks in a historic encounter at Owen Delaney Park in Taupo early in 2011, giving the Warriors three consecutive victories in the rivalry for the just the second time.

2012-17 – Sharks circle again

Cronulla turned the tables on the Warriors emphatically in 2012. Todd Carney engineered a 20-19 win at home after the Sharks had trailed by 11 points with 10 minutes left, setting up two tries for halves partner Jeff Robson. Seven weeks later Carney scored 25 points as the Sharks romped to a 45-4 win in Auckland – the Warriors’ second-biggest defeat at Mount Smart Stadium.

The Sharks chalked up another pair of wins in 2013, followed by a 37-6 demolition early in 2014 that saw Nathan Stapleton score four tries and would prove to be Matthew Elliott’s last game in charge of the Warriors before Andrew McFadden was handed the coaching reins.

The Warriors enjoyed some respite, holding on for a nervy 16-12 win at home later in 2014 before producing one of the great escapes of recent years the following season.

Round 9, 2015 – Johnson snatches insane buzzer-beater
Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson added another highlight to his reel of clutch match-winning moments at Cronulla’s expense at Remondis Stadium. Fresh from steering the Kiwis to a memorable Anzac Day triumph just six days earlier, Johnson broke a 10-all deadlock in the 73rd minute by darting through the line and putting in a stunning kick for Solomone Kata to score. But that act of brilliance was negated by a solo try by Andrew Fifita and a cool-headed conversion from Valentine Holmes that put the Sharks 16-14 in front with less than three minutes on the clock. Johnson stole the result with a mesmerising individual try with a minute left, leaving a trail of Cronulla defenders strewn in his wake before dotting down.

Johnson’s season-ending injury in Round 20 cruelled the Warriors’ bid for a finals spot, and the Sharks took advantage a week later courtesy of a 18-14 victory at Mt Smart that helped them on their way to a sixth-place finish.

The visitors overcame a 10-0 halftime deficit via a brilliant Valentine Holmes double and the match-winning try to Ricky Leutele in the 70th minute, with Tuimoala Lolohea denied a last-minute leveller by the video referee.

The clubs continued the trend of nail-biters in 2016 with a golden point classic as a Cronulla side containing former Warriors James Maloney, Chad Townsend and Jayson Bukuya pipped a visiting Warriors outfit featuring ex-Sharks Blake Ayshford and Jonathan Wright.

Round 16, 2016 – Maloney thwarts former teammates
The Warriors, sitting 10th on the ladder but coming off three straight wins, took it to competition leaders Cronulla early at Southern Cross Group Stadium, with former Sharks Blake Ayshford and Jonathan Wright scoring for a 10-0 lead. But Michael Ennis and Ricky Leutele grabbed tries in the last six minutes before halftime to snatch a 12-10 advantage for the hosts. A contentious penalty try to ex-Vodafone Warrior Jayson Bukuya extended the margin to eight points, but a Thomas Leuluai four-pointer and a penalty goal with six minutes left to Issac Luke sent the match into golden point. It was another familiar face that landed the decisive blow during a nerve-shredding extra period, however, with James Maloney slotting a wobbly field goal in the 87th minute to secure the Sharks’ seventh win in their last nine clashes with the Warriors.

The defending premier Sharks eased to a 26-12 win over the slumping Warriors late in 2017.

The teams played out a controversial thriller at Mt Smart between the finals-bound teams in 2018, with Edrick Lee scoring the 78th-minute match-winner for Cronulla off a forward pass.

Shaun Johnson’s controversial exit from the Warriors in late-2018 – eventually settling on a move to the Sharks – added a tantalising extra element to the rivalry.

The playmaking wizard set up the opening try in a Wellington thriller in 2019 but opposite number Kodi Nikorima and former halves partner Blake Green were the heroes in a come-from-behind 19-18 victory.

But after losing a points decision in his first clash with his former club, Johnson earned a knockout victory five weeks later as the Sharks romped to a 42-16 victory at home.

Johnson kicked seven-from-seven, ran for over 100 metres and had a try-assist in a dominant display – one of his best in a very patchy initial campaign in the Shire. For their part, the Warriors (RTS aside) were a bumbling mess.

Johnson again had the biggest say in the teams’ two 2020 encounters. He torched the Warriors with a try among an 18-point haul plus two try-assists in a 46-10 beat-down in Round 10.

The Sharks encountered a rejuvenated Warriors team eight weeks later but snuffed out their late finals bid with a later surge in a 22-14 result, Johnson laying on two tries. Boom forward Toby Rudolf, who signed with the Warriors during 2020 only to renege on the deal for family reasons, scored the Sharks’ late sealer.

The sensational announcement midway through 2021 that Johnson would be returning to the Warriors at the end of the season added another fascinating subplot to the finals hopefuls’ two matches in the last nine rounds.

Johnson scooped the three Dally M points as he engineered a clinical 20-12 win over the Warriors in Round 17, a match probably best remembered for Braden Hamlin-Uele’s WWE-style try celebration.

With SJ sidelined by a season-ending injury, the Warriors bounced back with a remarkable 18-16 upset of the Sharks four weeks later – despite a 10-point halftime deficit and the double sin-binning of Kane Evans as he repeatedly took the bait from serial niggler Will Chambers.

TWL RD 21: WARRIORS SURVIVE EVANS’ BRAIN-FOLDS FOR ONE OF THE GREAT WINS

The clubs’ 2022 encounters were days to forget for the hapless Warriors.

Despite, having fullback Will Kennedy sent off for a high tackle on opposite Reece Walsh in the first half and the second-half sin-binning of centre Jesse Ramien, the Sharks romped to a 29-10 home win in Round 9.

The teams met again in Redcliffe in Round 14 – just days after Stacey Jones stepping into the caretaker-coaching hotseat following Nathan Brown’s abrupt exit. After a spirited start, the Warriors were overrun 38-16 by the top-four-bound Sharks, with winger Sione Katoa blazing over for a hat-trick and Ronaldo Mulitalo grabbing a double.

Their first meeting of 2023 was headed down a similar path but ultimately proved to be one of the Warriors’ greatest-ever wins, epitomising the club’s turnaround under Andrew Webster.

The Sharks raced out to a 20-0 lead at home in the Round 5 clash, but the Warriors clawed back in a thrilling, dramatic encounter that was decided by a late penalty goal from Johnson, snatching a 32-20 triumph.

TWL RD 5: WARRIORS REWRITE CLUB FOLKLORE WITH OUTRAGEOUS SHARK PARK COMEBACK

The Warriors chalked up two wins in a season over the Sharks for the first time since 2010 with their biggest-ever win in the rivalry later in 2023.

Johnson marked his 200th game for the club with a masterclass against his former teammates in a 44-12 drubbing, boosting the Warriors’ charge to a top-four finish and exacerbating the Sharks’ disappointing late-season fade.

TWL RD 20: KINGZ CONTAINER CREW PLAYER RATINGS

Cronulla bravely fought back from an early 12-0 deficit to thwart the Warriors 16-12 at Mount Smart in the opening round of 2024.

The Sharks powered to the top four while the Warriors foundered in the bottom half of the ladder, but they had another incredible comeback in store for their final outing of 2024.

Down 22-4 at halftime, the Warriors rallied with Shaun Johnson — making his last NRL appearance — calling the tune. With his last play in the premiership, SJ laid on a buzzer-beating try for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (the winger’s third for the night) to snatch an emotional 30-28 victory.

Sharks Stadium proved a happy hunting ground for the Warriors again in 2025, powering to a memorable 40-10 mid-season win a week after co-captain Mitch Barnett was ruled out for the season with an ACL injury.

Halves Chanel Harris-Tavita and Luke Metcalf, an ex-Cronulla junior, were on fire, while another ex-Shark, hooker Sam Healey, made his run-on NRL debut for the Warriors.

The Sharks were far too good in Round 5 of the 2026 season, terrorising the Warriors’ right edge in a 36-22 result that flattered the Warriors. Cronulla fullback Will Kennedy ran riot in a two-try performance.

THEY PLAYED FOR BOTH CLUBS

Vince Mellars: Wellington-born centre Mellars played seven games for the Warriors in 2003-04 before linking with Cronulla, scoring two tries in five games for the Sharks. He subsequently joined the Roosters and played a career-high 12 games in 2006, but was not sighted in the NRL thereafter and later resurfaced in Super League in 2010. 

Tevita Leo-Latu: Nuggetty hooker Leo-Latu played 22 first grade games for the Warriors from 2003-05, and came off the bench in the 2004 Anzac Test for New Zealand. Joining Cronulla in 2006 for a one-season stint that produced 10 NRL appearances, Leo-Latu then linked with Wakefield Trinity. The Richmond junior also represented Tonga at the 2008 World Cup.

Henry Perenara: Auckland-born Perenara debuted for the Warriors a week after his 18th birthday, playing three top-grade games in 2000. He then moved to Melbourne for two seasons, before stints with the Dragons, Eels and Sharks, playing nine games for the latter in 2007 before turning his hand to refereeing. Perenara has been an NRL referee since 2011.

Dane Nielsen: After playing one NRL game for Cronulla in 2007, Nielsen became a Queensland Origin rep and premiership winner during five seasons in Melbourne. He played 30 games for the Warriors in 2013-14, but his stint with St George Illawarra in 2015 garnered just two first grade outings. Nielsen has since spent time at Bradford and South Sydney.

Jason Bukuya: Fiji international Bukuya debuted for the Sharks in 2008 and was a permanent member of their first-grade line-up by the time he joined the Warriors in 2014. The second-rower played 18 games in one season for the Auckland-based club before returning to Cronulla, where he took his total to 168 games and won a grand final before giving the game away in 2020.

Blake Ayshford: After bringing up a century of NRL games with Wests Tigers, centre Ayshford’s career stalled during a two-season stint at Cronulla in 2014-15 that garnered just 20 first grade appearances. Ayshford linked with the Warriors in 2016, however, and scored 13 tries in 43 of a possible 48 games in the top flight until the end of 2017. An injury-enforced delayed start to 2018 and an influx of outside-back signings has kept Ayshford in reserve grade all of last year, while he managed just seven NRL appearances in 2019 before hanging up the boots.

Jeremy Latimore: Underrated journeyman Latimore cut his teeth in the NRL with Parramatta before playing 24 games for the Warriors in 2010-11. After a season at St George Illawarra and a four-year stay at Penrith, the consistent front-rower joined Cronulla in 2017, making 19 appearances for the defending premiers before returning to the Dragons.

James Maloney: Dynamic half Maloney debuted for Melbourne but was a virtual unknown when he joined the Warriors in 2010. He made a monumental impact as an ultra-competitive playmaker and clutch goalkicker, helping spearhead the club’s drive to the 2011 grand final. He moved to Bondi Junction in 2013 was outstanding in the Roosters’ premiership triumph, scoring 252 points and starring in that year’s grand final victory. Maloney repeated the dose after joining Cronulla in 2016, steering the club to its first title. A veteran of 11 Origins for NSW and three Tests for Australia, Maloney scored 380 points in 45 games for the Sharks but joined Penrith ahead of the 2018 season.

Jeff Robson: After playing just six games across five seasons for Manly, Robson emerged as a surprise hero of Parramatta’s charge to the 2009 grand final. The wily halfback played 61 games for the Eels from 2009-11, before providing excellent value in four seasons as Cronulla’s No.7, with his 92 appearances including three finals campaigns. His move to the Warriors in 2016 lasted just seven first grade outings, however, as he sought a mid-season release to return to Parramatta. Robson made another 10 NRL appearances for the blue-and-golds.

Brett Seymour: Regarded as Allan Langer’s heir apparent after debuting for the Broncos as a 17-year-old in 2002, injuries dictated that classy halfback Seymour played just 62 first grade games for the club before linking with Cronulla in 2007. Seymour played 39 games in three seasons for the Sharks, before heading to Auckland and racking up 22 games for the Warriors in 2010-11. Seymour’s professional career wrapped up with Super League club Hull FC.

Misi Taulapapa: Marist Richmond junior Taulapapa made a belated NRL debut at 24 years of age, playing five games for the Warriors in 2006. He linked with the Sharks the following season, playing 33 games in three years – including a hat-trick in a finals win over Canberra in 2008. The Tongan international went on to have stints with English clubs Sheffield Eagles and Featherstone Rovers.

Chad Townsend: Had two stints for both clubs. Cronulla junior Townsend debuted for the Sharks in 2011 and captained the club’s NSW Cup team to a premiership in 2013 before joining the Warriors. He played 41 games in two seasons for the Warriors, but returned to the Sharks for family reasons in 2016 – ironically replacing Auckland-bound Jeff Robson in the halves. Townsend was a key figure in the Sharks’ surge to the 2016 premiership and racked up 146 games before signing a rich deal to join North Queensland in 2022. Stuck in reserve grade at Cronulla, Townsend inked a short-term contract to link with the Warriors for the last 10 rounds of 2021.

Nigel Vagana: A prolific try-scorer for the Auckland Warriors, Vagana crossed 37 times in 71 games from 1996-2000 before being snapped up by the Bulldogs. He scored scoring 61 tries in just 76 games for the blue-and-whites – including club records for tries in a match (5) and a season (23) in 2002 – and taking out the Dally M Centre of the Year award in 2001-02. The Kiwi Test veteran scored 32 tries in 61 games for Cronulla from 2004-06 before finishing his decorated career at South Sydney.

Richard Villasanti: Intimidating forward Villasanti arrived at the Warriors in 2001 via stints at Balmain and Wests Tigers. He played 96 games for the Warriors – including the club’s maiden grand final appearance in ’02 before becoming its first Australian Test representative the following season – but joined Cronulla midway through 2006, playing seven NRL games in the Sharks’ colours.

Jonathan Wright: Former Parramatta utility-back Wright played 38 games for the Bulldogs in 2011-12, scoring 14 tries in the latter season and featuring in the club’s grand final loss to the Storm. After two seasons at Cronulla that garnered 41 NRL appearances, Wright linked with the Warriors and featured 29 times in first grade in 2015-16, but joined Manly ahead of the 2017 season.

Blake Green: Journeyman five-eighth Green had uneventful stints with Parramatta Cronulla (where he played 19 first-grade games in 2008-09) and Canterbury, but a four-season Super League stint – which included a Harry Sunderland Trophy win in Wigan’s 2013 grand final success – turned his career around. Green’s two-year stay at Melbourne garnered 50 games and a grand final appearance in 2016, while he was hailed as one of the buys of the year after linking with Manly in 2017. The wily 31-year-old playmaker’s influence was striking after joining the Warriors this year, touted as a possible NSW Origin bolter at one stage and helping steer the Warriors to the finals. Green struggled somewhat as the main shot-caller following Shaun Johnson’s departure and left for Newcastle midway through 2020 after 55 games for the Warriors.

Gerard Beale: Brisbane-born Beale made his NRL debut with the Broncos in 2009 and broke into the Kiwis side two years later. After two seasons with St George Illawarra, the versatile back joined Cronulla in 2015 and played 70 games across three seasons – including the 2016 grand final triumph. The veteran of 11 Tests for New Zealand linked with the Warriors in 2018 and has played 31 games in the top flight after a broken leg suffered during the 2017 World Cup delayed his start with his new club. Was predominantly a backline back-up in Auckland, playing 32 games in three seasons before being released. He was thrown a lifeline by the Dragons in 2021.

Shaun Johnson: A brilliant, influential attacking halfback who was the face of the Warriors virtually from his 2011 debut until his departure at the end of 2018, Johnson was also a relentlessly maligned figure during his time in Auckland. Perceived as enigmatic and inconsistent, Johnson nevertheless carried the Warriors on his back on countless occasions. In 162 games he scored 63 tries and a club record 917 points. Joining Cronulla after his contentious split with the Warriors, an injury-hampered Johnson ran into similar criticism about his form for the Sharks, despite some flashes of genius. But he led the NRL in try-assists in 2020, despite a Achilles injury finishing his campaign early, and led a Sharks revival following his mid-2021 return – after which Johnson announced he would be returning to the Warriors in 2022. He played 44 games for the Sharks (inlcuding a 4-1 record against the Warriors) before injury again prematurely ended his 2021 campaign, scoring 263 points. Johnson played another 62 games for the Warriors after rejoining his former team in 2022, coming within an ace of a Dally M Medal in 2023 and becoming the first player to pass 1,000 points for the club before hanging up the boots in 2024.

Luke Metcalf: Versatile quicksilver half/fullback Metcalf made seven NRL appearances for the Sharks in 2021-22 but accepted an offer from the Warriors with opportunities scarce at the Sydney club. After an injury delayed his start in Auckland, Metcalf slotted into the five-eighth role mid-season after an injury to Te Maire Martin and scored six tries in 13 top-grade games before a hamstring tear ruled him out of finals contention. Injury restricted him to just seven games in 2024, while he was leading the Dally M Medal count as the Warriors’ new No.7 when he was cut down by an ACL 15 games into the 2025 campaign. Metcalf played two games in 2026 before breaking down again and eventually sought a release from the subsequent two years of his contract.

Addin Fonua-Blake: Former Manly front-row powerhouse Fonua-Blake joined the Warriors for a stellar four-season stint in 2021, earning Dally M Team of the Year nods in 2023 and 2024. He joined the Sharks in 2025, playing every game for his new club and passing 200 appearances in the NRL as well as earning a NSW Origin call-up in 2026 under the new eligibility rules.

There’s Dai’s Sydney mini Magic Round, viewers watching us in the bath, recruit watch with Grant Anderson and Will Warbrick, Kane Evans’ moving interview, a surprisingly big team list drop and a preview of Saturday’s clash with the Sharks, another PlaceMakers Warriors legend profile and more No Ugly giveaways.

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If you check out one piece of rugby league content today, make sure it’s Kane Evans’ raw, harrowing and incredibly moving interview with James Bracey on Channel Nine’s 100% Footy that aired last night.

Warrior #257’s 14-game stint at the club is regarded as one of the more disappointing from a performance perspective – and he touches on some of the contributing factors in that 2021 season.

The bigger issue, of course, is Kane’s struggles with his sexuality since he was 15, leading to substance abuse and suicidal ideation. The fact that he could even be subjected to blackmail threats to out him reflect that even today, it’s not as simple as being who you are if you’re a gay man in rugby league.

Ian Roberts remains a unicorn in that department – 28 years after the champion forward and trailblazer’s last NRL game, Evans’ revelation comes after hitting rock bottom, having felt like he had to hide his true self for most of his teenage years and his whole adult life.

It’s why I’m proud we had Roberts on the podcast in 2022 in the wake of Marcelo Montoya’s (incidentally, Evans’ clubmate in 2021 and next to him on the club’s roll of honour, as well as a Fiji Test teammate) homophobic slur, when most either didn’t want to touch it or wanted to whinge about the severity of his punishment.

It’s why Israel Folau’s sacking was more than a free speech issue, why the feeble ‘keep politics out of sport’ argument in relation to the Manly pride jersey boycott was absolute BS.

Bravo to Trent Robinson and the Roosters for reaching out to Kane; hopefully our club does similar. But mostly props to Kane – it’s clear how difficult taking this step was, but it’s impact could and should be massive…and timely as it coincides with Men’s Mental Health Month and Pride Month.

“I know some people that have done some gangsta things, but I feel like this is up there,” he said.

Couldn’t agree more.