DOLPHINS 26 NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 24
IAN HOWE, Suncorp Stadium, Saturday

JAMAYNE ISAAKO’s late touchline conversion finally decided the outcome of what was surely one of the games of the NRL season so far.

The third-placed Dolphins were hosting the second-placed Warriors and the game lived up to all expectations, in front of a crowd of more than 40,000, which was around a thousand more than had turned up to watch the Broncos’ defeat against the Roosters the previous evening.

Former St Helens coach Kristian Woolf has now led his team to eight successive victories and their participation for the first time in the play-offs since being introduced to the NRL competition in 2023 now looks guaranteed.

And they achieved this victory despite losing their star halfback Isaiya Katoa to a dislocated wrist injury after only 13 minutes, at which point they were 4-6 behind. Despite having Brad Schneider on the bench to replace Katoa, the odds at that points swung heavily in favour of the Warriors.

The Warriors had attacked early, with Kurt Capewell getting over the line but Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow expertly turning him on his back to prevent the try as Capewell dropped the ball.

The Dolphins went to the other end and Selwyn Cobbo touched down in the corner following a Katoa high kick.

The Warriors were not deterred, however, and they equalised when Chanel Harris-Tevita aimed a bomb to the line on the right, with backrower Jacob Laban rising the highest to catch the ball and touch down, with Adam Pompey’s conversion putting the Warriors ahead.

And, after Cobbo had a second effort disallowed for losing possession over the line and Kodi Nikorima was pushed into touch when trying to score, the Warriors went further ahead after Katoa’s departure when Dallin Watene-Zelezniak touched down after Laban offloaded another Harris-Tevita bomb.

But the Dolphins replied when Nikorima created space for Herbie Farnworth to get over the line and they went ahead shortly before the break when Isaako touched down from a spectacular dive into the corner from a fine pass by Jack Bostock, with Isaako’s conversion giving the Dolphins a four-point lead at half-time.

And that was extended to eight points with Isaako’s second try after more great work from Bostock.

The Warriors fought back, however, when Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad scored in the corner from a smart move from a scrum.

And when Sam Healey forced his way past three Origin defenders to score the Warriors’ fourth try with only five minutes remaining it looked as though they had snatched victory.

But the Dolphins had other ideas.

With a short kick-off they won back possession and it was Cobbo who collected a bouncing ball to touch down and level the scores, before Isaako’s dramatic final kick won the game for the Dolphins, who now sit level on points with the Warriors as their winning streak continues.

GAMESTAR: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was outstanding, making some try-saving tackles and having a great influence in attack.

GAMEBREAKER: Jamayne Isaako’s late touchline conversion sealed the Dolphins’ victory.

MATCHFACTS

DOLPHINS
1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2 Jamayne Isaako
3 Jack Bostock
4 Herbie Farnworth
5 Selwyn Cobbo
6 Kodi Nikorima
7 Isaiya Katoa
8 Thomas Flegler
9 Jeremy Marshall-King
10 Francis Molo
11 Connelly Lemuelu
12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
13 Morgan Knowles
Subs
14 Max Plath
15 Kurt Donoghoe
16 Ray Stone
17 Felise Kaufusi (not used)
18 Brad Schneider
20 Tevita Naufahu (not used)

Tries: Cobbo (5, 78), Farnworth (24), Isaako (39, 50)
Goals: Isaako 3/5

WARRIORS
1 Taine Tuaupiki
2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3 Ali Leiataua
4 Adam Pompey
5 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
7 Te Maire Martin
8 Tanner Stowers-Smith
9 Wayde Egan
10 Mitchell Barnett
11 Jacob Laban
12 Kurt Capewell
13 Erin Clark
Subs
14 Sam Healey
15 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
16 Demetric Vaimauga
17 Marata Niukore
18 Kayliss Fatialofa (not used)
20 Luke Metcalf (not used)

Tries: Laban (8), Watene-Zelezniak (18), Nicoll-Klokstad (61), Healey (75)
Goals: Pompey 4/4

SCORING SEQUENCE: 4-0, 4-6, 4-12, 10-12, 16-12; 20-12, 20-18, 20-24, 26-24

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Dolphins: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow; Warriors: Jacob Laban

Penalty count: 2-0
Half-time: 16-12
Referee: Adam Gee
Attendance: 40,465