Live: Warriors and Dolphins meet for chance to host NRL prelim final

The New Zealand Warriors narrowly missed out on the NRL minor premiership but today they host a qualifying final against the Dolphins in Auckland.The winner advances to the third week of the finals and hosts a grand final qualifier, while the loser gets a second chance next week.Later, the Cronulla Sharks have a home game at the Sydney Football Stadium, not Shark Park, in an elimination final against the North Queensland Cowboys.Sat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:20pmSat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:20pmDolphins team vs WarriorsThe only change from the original 19 that was announced on Tuesday is the inclusion of Tevita Naufahu (22) who comes onto the bench in place of veteran Felise Kaufusi.Selwyn Cobbo (5), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (12) and Kodi Nikorima (6) were all rested last week to heal niggling injuries, and are ready to fire today.Backs1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow2 Jamayne Isaako3 Jack Bostock4 Herbie Farnworth5 Selwyn Cobbo6 Kodi Nikorima7 Isaiya KatoaForwards8 Thomas Flegler9Jeremy Marshall-King10 Tom Gilbert11 Max Plath12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki13 Morgan KnowlesInterchange14 Kurt Donoghoe15 Ray Stone16 Francis Molo17 Connelly Lemuelu19 Bradley Schneider22 Tevita NaufahuHead coach | Kristian WoolfSat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:10pmSat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:10pmWarriors team list vs DolphinsThe New Zealand Warriors have been boosted by the return of Jackson Ford (17), who plays his first NRL match since sustaining a pectoral injury in round 16 against North Queensland.Leka Halasima (4) also returns in time for finals after healing an injured ankle.Wayde Egan (9) and Kurt Capewell (11) were rested last week in preparation for the finals.Backs1 Taine Tuaupiki2 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad3 Ali Leiataua4 Leka Halasima5 Alofi'ana Khan-Pereira6 Chanel Harris-Tavita7 Te Maire MartinForwards8 James Fisher-Harris (c)9 Wayde Egan10 Mitchell Barnett (c)11 Kurt Capewell12 Jacob Laban13 Erin ClarkInterchange14 Sam Healey15 Tanner Stowers-Smith16 Demitric Vaimauga17 Jackson Ford18 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava20 Adam PompeyHead coach | Andrew WebsterSat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:05pmSat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:05pmRelive last night's action as the Knights eliminated the RabbitohsMissed the action from the opening match of the finals series?Or do you need a refresher before we get into today's action?Tap the link below and catch up on last night's elimination final between the Rabbitohs and Knights.Sat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:02pmSat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:02pmWhat time is kick-off in the NRL finals today?Here are the kick-off times for both NRL finals matches today, in each state and territory.New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins4:05pm AEST: NSW, Queensland, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, PNG3:35pm ACST: South Australia, Northern Territory2:05pm AWST: Western Australia6:05pm NZST: New Zealand, Fiji7:05pm: Tonga, SamoaCronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys7:50pm AEST: NSW, Queensland, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, PNG7:20pm ACST: South Australia, Northern Territory5:50pm AWST: Western Australia9:50pm NZST: New Zealand, Fiji10:50pm: Tonga, SamoaSat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:00pmSat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:00pmWelcome to the ABC Sport NRL live blogGood afternoon, Australia.Welcome back to ABC Sport's live digital coverage of the 2026 NRL finals series.Today, two finals matches are on the card.Firstly, we head to Auckland for a qualifying final between the New Zealand Warriors and the Dolphins.The winner will advance to the third week of the finals and host a grand final qualifier, while the loser gets a second chance next week.Later, the Cronulla Sharks have a home game at the Sydney Football Stadium, not Shark Park, in an elimination final against the North Queensland Cowboys.