THE RIVALRY: WARRIORS V DOLPHINS
The clubs' brief history has produced a number of memorable encounters and dramatic moments.
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 6 – Warriors won 3, Dolphins won 3; Warriors scored 130 points, Dolphins scored 128 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) – 6; Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins) – 6; Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins) – 6; Mark Nicholls (Dolphins) – 6; Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins) – 6; Marata Niukore (Warriors) – 6.
Most tries: Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins) – 5; Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins) – 5; Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors) – 5.
Most points: Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins) – 54; Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins) – 20; Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors) – 20; 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.
2024-25 – 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.
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 68 of the club’s 78 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.
It's an intriguing match up. With the historical view you've shared, no one team has yet pulled two in a row. In that light, it is the Fins turn for the W. With perhaps half a dozen in their line-up that I think would look pretty good in a Warriors jumper it adds to that intrigue. Perhaps our momentum and normally solid defence against the Fins record to date in 2026 is what tips the odds in our favour. Let's hope the Wellington fan base turns out in numbers to help bring it home.