The official team lists are in for the Warriors vs Dolphins qualifying final, with Wayde Egan, Kurt Capewell and Leka Halasima all returning for New Zealand and Jackson Ford back for the first time since Round 16. The Dolphins are close to full strength for their first finals appearance, regaining Selwyn Cobbo, Kodi Nikorima and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki for a fascinating clash in Auckland.
Biggest Winners – Warriors
Alofiana Khan-Pereira
Khan-Pereira remains on the wing and gives the Warriors their most explosive finishing option with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak still sidelined with a collarbone injury.
Our Tip: Alofiana Khan-Pereira – Anytime Try Scorer
Jacob Laban
Laban keeps his starting second-row position despite Capewell’s return, giving the Warriors another dangerous attacking runner on the edge.
Our Tip: Jacob Laban – Anytime Try Scorer
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Wayde Egan
Egan returns after being rested in Round 27 and goes straight back into the No.9 jersey, pushing Sam Healey to the interchange.
Our Tip: Wayde Egan – Over Tackles
Biggest Losers – Warriors
Sam Healey
Healey started at hooker against Manly but returns to the interchange with Egan back for the qualifying final.
Betting Impact: Avoid Healey’s tackle overs with his minutes significantly less secure.
Adam Pompey
Pompey also drops out of the starting side, with Leka Halasima returning from an ankle injury at centre.
Betting Impact: Halasima becomes the more interesting attacking option from the team change.
Warriors Right Edge
The Dolphins regain Selwyn Cobbo on the wing and have Herbie Farnworth inside him, creating a powerful attacking combination for the Warriors to contain.
Our Tip: Herbie Farnworth – Anytime Try Scorer
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Biggest Winners – Dolphins
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
The Hammer remains at fullback and is the Dolphins player I’d target first. His support running gives him opportunities through the middle as well as on sweeping attacking shifts.
Our Tip: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – Anytime Try Scorer
Selwyn Cobbo
Cobbo returns from the ankle injury that kept him out against the Titans and immediately takes back the wing position from Tevita Naufahu.
Our Tip: Selwyn Cobbo – Anytime Try Scorer
Kodi Nikorima
Nikorima returns from a hamstring issue and reunites with Isaiya Katoa in the halves. His return gives the Dolphins their preferred playmaking combination for their maiden finals appearance.
Our Tip: Kodi Nikorima – 1+ Try Assist
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Biggest Losers – Dolphins
Tevita Naufahu
Naufahu scored the winning try against Gold Coast last week but drops to the reserves with Cobbo returning.
Betting Impact: Cobbo becomes the direct beneficiary in the anytime try-scorer market.
Jake Averillo
Averillo also drops to the reserves with Nikorima returning at five-eighth.
Betting Impact: Nikorima and Katoa are now the cleaner Dolphins playmaker options.
Dolphins at Go Media Stadium
The Warriors have been extremely difficult to beat in Auckland, winning eight of their 10 games at Go Media Stadium this season.
Betting Impact: I’d prefer Dolphins player markets rather than automatically backing them to win.
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Early Betting Verdict
This looks much closer than a typical second-versus-third qualifying final. The teams met twice during the regular season and split the two games 1-1, with each decided by only two points.
The team lists strengthen both sides. The Warriors regain Egan, Capewell and Halasima, while the Dolphins welcome back Cobbo, Nikorima and Finefeuiaki.
Alofiana Khan-Pereira – Anytime Try Scorer
With DWZ still unavailable, Khan-Pereira remains the Warriors winger I’d target first.
Our Tip: Alofiana Khan-Pereira – Anytime Try Scorer
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – Anytime Try Scorer
The Hammer’s support running makes him particularly dangerous in what should be a physical contest through the middle.
Our Tip: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – Anytime Try Scorer
Herbie Farnworth – Anytime Try Scorer
Farnworth gives us another strong Dolphins option and now has Cobbo returning outside him, creating a dangerous combination on that edge.
Our Tip: Herbie Farnworth – Anytime Try Scorer
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Jacob Laban – Anytime Try Scorer
Laban retaining his starting position despite the return of Capewell is significant. His edge-running role gives us a potentially better-priced Warriors try option than the outside backs.
Our Tip: Jacob Laban – Anytime Try Scorer
Isaiya Katoa – Try Assists
With Nikorima returning alongside him and the Dolphins backline at full strength, Katoa has plenty of weapons in Tabuai-Fidow, Isaako, Bostock, Farnworth and Cobbo.
Our Tip: Isaiya Katoa – 1+ Try Assist
Wayde Egan – Tackles
Egan goes straight back into the starting hooking role after being rested last week.
Our Tip: Wayde Egan – Over Tackles
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Best Bet From The Team Lists
Alofiana Khan-Pereira – Anytime Try Scorer
AKP is the Warriors attacking player I’d target first.
New Zealand have won eight of 10 at Go Media Stadium this season, while Khan-Pereira remains their primary strike winger with Watene-Zelezniak unavailable.
The return of Egan and Capewell should also strengthen the Warriors’ attacking structure after both were rested last week.
Our Tip: Alofiana Khan-Pereira – Anytime Try Scorer
I’d also check Khan-Pereira 2+ Tries for the higher-priced extension.
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Value Bet
Jacob Laban – Anytime Try Scorer
Laban is the more interesting higher-priced Warriors option.
He retains the starting second-row position in a much stronger Warriors side and gives Martin and Harris-Tavita a powerful hole-runner close to the line.
Our Tip: Jacob Laban – Anytime Try Scorer
Team List Betting Summary
Best Bet: Alofiana Khan-Pereira – Anytime Try Scorer
Value Bet: Jacob Laban – Anytime Try Scorer
Dolphins Try Scorer: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – Anytime Try Scorer
Other Dolphins Try Scorer: Herbie Farnworth – Anytime Try Scorer
Returning Dolphins Winger: Selwyn Cobbo – Anytime Try Scorer
Playmaker Prop: Isaiya Katoa – 1+ Try Assist
Tackle Prop: Wayde Egan – Over Tackles
Higher-Odds Play: Alofiana Khan-Pereira – 2+ Tries
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