TWL Rd 8 Preview: Wahs to roll on in Anzac Day clash in the capital
The dangerous, inconsistent Dolphins present an intriguing challenge for the Warriors at the 'Cake Tin' on this most solemn of rugby league days.
WARRIORS V DOLPHINS – 8.05PM (NZT)/6.05PM (AEST) SATURDAY, APRIL 25 @ HNRY STADIUM, WELLINGTON
The Storylines
As the only New Zealand-based team in the NRL, Anzac Day is naturally a hallowed occasion on the Warriors’ calendar. After making the annual pilgrimage to Melbourne for almost a decade and a half, the club has played in Auckland, Christchurch and now Wellington in consecutive years on April 25th.
A reported 34,500 sell-out at the ‘Cake Tin’ — which would be the third-biggest crowd ever on home soil for a Warriors game — adds another electrifying element to a special match.
The 5-2 Warriors are really looking to cement their place in the upper reaches of the NRL ladders after an iconic drought-breaker against the Storm and a comfortable victory over the Titans. Andrew Webster has stuck solid with a series of semi-enforced changes…and this line-up gets another opportunity to prove it is the one to carry the club towards premiership contention in 2026.
The Dolphins have been impossible to get a read on.
Their highlights include a 38-10 rout of the Sharks on the road (and the Warriors got a jarring taste of how tough that away assignment can be) and a gutsy 23-22 golden point loss to the Panthers in Darwin last week.
But they are only one game removed from a horrific 52-18 loss to then-embattled Manly in Redcliffe. An upset here could set up a much-needed mid-season charge for Kristian Woolf’s 2-4 Phins.
Meanwhile, Chanel Harris-Tavita becomes the Warriors’ 32nd appearances centurion — a wonderful milestone for a heart-and-soul performer.
Ins and Outs
Taine Tuaupiki comes back in at fullback for Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (neck). The Warriors are otherwise unchanged, though Adam Pompey is in the reserves after serving a suspension.
Brad Schneider comes in for suspended Dolphins five-eighth Kodi Nikorima, with Trai Fuller joining the bench.
The History
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 Stats
The Warriors have an overall 4-1-6 record in Wellington since 2001.
The last four Warriors-Dolphins clashes were decided by four points or less.
Just one of the 11 NRL matches staged in Wellington has produced more than 48 points.
Neither side has won more than one match in a row against the other.
Jamayne Isaako (six games), Herbie Farnworth and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (both five games) has all scored five tries in Warriors-Dolphins matches; Farnworth also scored a double in his last game for the Broncos against the Warriors.
The Warriors have won four of their last five matches in Wellington and have won their last three at alternate New Zealand venues.
The last three teams to debut in Wellington all lost.
5 Key Match-ups
Taine Tuaupiki vs Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow: Taine’s back in the line-up and will be tested by Katoa’s top-tier kicking game, but he proved safe as a bank in 2026 and will look to up his attacking impact this week. ‘Hammer’ is as dangerous as any ball-runner in the NRL — the Warriors can’t afford to offer him any space.
Alofiana Khan-Pereira vs Jamayne Isaako: AKP is only a strong game or two from cementing that right wing spot, but a subpar performance will invite Pompey back into the side. Isaako was the match-winner in Auckland last year and these two are set for a fascinating duel.
Ali Leiataua vs Herbie Farnworth: Herbie torched Pompey in just 18 minutes before a hamstring injury ended his night at Mount Smart — this shapes as Leiataua’s biggest test yet. More involvement from the big fella would be great to see.
Tanah Boyd vs Isaiya Katoa: Similar styles of No.7. Boyd has been arguably the NRL’s form halfback after Cleary, while Katoa is regarded by many as potentially the game’s best halfback after Cleary.
Leka Halasima vs Kulikefu Finefeuaki: Leka is finding ways to make an impression on games even when highlight-reel opportunities are scarce — he could have a field day if the Dolphins slip back into their defence-is-optional ways. Tonga teammate Finefeuaki has been one of the competition’s form forwards, averaging 35 tackles and 185 metres a game to push for a Queensland debut.
Last time they met
The Dolphins pulled off a 20-18 heartbreaker at Mount Smart in Round 22 last year. Arguably the better side on the night, the Warriors’ turnaround was remarkable after conceding three soft tries to trail 16-6 after half an hour — particularly given they were missing four players from the previous week’s line-up.
But some colossal ball-carrying, most notably from Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, out of their own half and admirable persistence along with some superb scramble defence put the hosts in front for the first time with 20 minutes to go – hanging onto an 18-16 lead until the dying seconds, when a helter skelter last-tackle movement saw the 12-man (after Felise Kaufusi’s sin-binning) Dolphins snatch the result through a Jamayne Isaako try.
Why the Wahs Will Win: The Warriors have found a sweet spot with this line-up and should have it all over the opposition pack, allowing them to put the foot on the throat early. The Dolphins have not put together consecutive acceptable performances so far in 2026 and are liable to wilt in front of a Cake Tin sellout.
Why the Wahs Will Lose: If the Warriors turn up even a few percent off attitude-wise — a la the Tigers game — they will get torched by a Dolphins backline brimming with strike. They can’t afford to let Katoa dictate the pace of the game.
The Punt: Head to head — Warriors $1.50, Dolphins $2.50; Line — Warriors -5.5; Total Points — Under/Over 49.5
Best Anytime Tryscorer Options — Alofiana Khan-Pereira ($1.82); Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow ($2.10); Jamayne Isaako ($2.35); Kurt Capewell ($4.25); Chanel Harris-Tavita ($4.25); Max Plath ($8.00).
The Verdict: Besides a two-week blip and maybe the last 15 minutes against the Titans, the Warriors have been totally dominant in 2026. The Dolphins remain a collective defensive liability and are unlikely to be able to stay on task for enough of this game to to push for a victory. Warriors by 12