Warriors toppled by Dolphins in NRL qualifying final
The NZ Warriors were defeated 26-16 by the Dolphins in an NRL qualifying final, ending their home-field advantage for the opening round. The Warriors will now face the Newcastle Knights in the next stage of the playoffs.
Why it matters
This result significantly impacts the playoff trajectory for both teams in the NRL finals series.
The NZ Warriors have been defeated by the Dolphins in their NRL qualifying final , at Go Media Stadium in Auckland.
The Warriors will now have to take the scenic route to the NRL grand final, after bowing to the Dolphins 26-16 on Saturday night.
After finishing second, to earn homefield advantage for the opening round of the playoffs, the Warriors could not take advantage of their fan support and a penalty advantage that had them 12-8 ahead at halftime.
Their only try of the game came when fullback Taine Tuaupiki spun out of a tackle near the line and scooted clear to score. Tuaupiki scored all the Warriors' points, adding a conversion and five penalties, as his team chose to kick for goal, instead of push for tries in the redzone.
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