New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins - Finals Week 1, 2026
The result
The Warriors led 12 to 8 at halftime after Taine Tuaupiki crossed in the 16th minute, but the Dolphins came home to win 26 to 16 at Go Media Stadium. The closest the Warriors got after the break was 2 points, before Dolphins tries from Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Jack Bostock sealed it.
How it unfolded
The Warriors made more all run metres, 1552 to the Dolphins' 1489, and held more completion rate at 83 percent to 78. Yet the Dolphins made 67 tackle breaks to the Warriors' 46, a gap that showed up all afternoon.
Against projection
James Fisher-Harris ran his projection of 49 into 68 points despite getting only 58 minutes, while Kulikefu Finefeuiaki's 52 points through 80 minutes sat close to his own forecast. Jackson Ford missed his badly, scoring 15 against a projection of 43 from just 24 minutes off the bench, and Kodi Nikorima fell short too, managing 17 points against a projection of 37 across the full 80.
