The New Zealand Warriors will be without three key players for Friday’s high-stakes NRL showdown against the Dolphins at Go Media Stadium, as injuries continue to test the depth of Andrew Webster’s squad.
Captain James Fisher-Harris (calf), hooker Wayde Egan (concussion), and five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita (calf) have all been ruled out, joining an already crowded casualty list that includes Mitch Barnett, Luke Metcalf, Rocco Berry and Ali Leiataua.
Fisher-Harris is expected to miss two games, while Harris-Tavita is likely to return next week. Egan is following concussion protocols after being forced from the field during last weekend’s surprise 24-16 loss to the bottom-ranked Gold Coast Titans.
Rookie hooker Sam Healey will step into the No.9 jersey for just his second game with the club, having joined from Cronulla earlier this season. In the halves, Te Maire Martin shifts into the starting side alongside Tanah Boyd, while Demitric Vaimauga takes over in the front row for Fisher-Harris.
Veteran forward Kurt Capewell has been named in the centres again due to injury-related shortages and will captain the side in Fisher-Harris’ absence.
Despite recent inconsistency — including a nail-biting win over the Knights and the shock defeat to the Titans — Webster has opted to keep faith in his core group, resisting any major changes to form.
The Warriors sit fourth on the ladder, with defending champions Penrith just three points behind in fifth. The Dolphins, currently eighth, are six points adrift and looking to close the gap ahead of the finals.
The Dolphins welcome back Kodi Nikorima from a hamstring injury, while veteran enforcer Felise Kaufusi also returns to bolster their pack.
With the finals drawing closer, the outcome of this clash could have significant implications for both clubs’ playoff aspirations.
Warriors Line-Up:
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Adam Pompey
4. Kurt Capewell (c)
5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
6. Te Maire Martin
7. Tanah Boyd
8. Demitric Vaimauga
9. Sam Healey
10. Jackson Ford
11. Leka Halasima
12. Marata Niukore
13. Erin Clark
Interchange: Taine Tuaupiki, Jacob Laban, Freddy Lussick, Tanner Stowers-Smith
Reserves: Ieremia-Toeava, Afoa, Kosi, Going, Tafua
Dolphins Line-Up:
1. Hamiso Tabui-Fidow
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Max Feagai
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Jake Averillo
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Francis Molo
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Felise Kaufusi
11. Connelly Lemuelu
12. Oryn Keeley
13. Kurt Donoghue
Interchange: Ray Stone, Aublix Tawha, Mark Nicholls, Josh Kerr
Reserves: Harrison Graham, Peter Hola, LJ Nonu, Kenny Bromwich, Tevita Naufahu
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