Team List: Johnson's farewell tour kicks off in Brisbane
With his retirement decision now made, veteran halfback Shaun Johnson enters the farewell phase of his 14-season NRL career when the One New Zealand Warriors face the Dolphins in Sunday’s 23rd-round clash at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane (2.00pm kick-off local time; 4.00pm NZT).
The 33-year-old is again paired in the halves with Chanel Harris-Tavita for the Warriors’ fourth to last match of their regular season, the first of back-to-back games in Australia with the Sea Eagles to follow in Sydney on Friday week (August 16).
The Warriors’ 25th-round clash against Canterbury Bankstown at Go Media Stadium on August 23 – their last home game of the season – will double as a farewell occasion for club stalwarts Johnson and Jazz Tevaga.
This Sunday it’s Johnson’s career game 266 (his 222nd for the Warriors) with just one change made to the lineup used in last Friday night’s disappointing 20-30 loss to the Parramatta Eels.
Coming back into the side on the left wing is Edward Kosi, a try scorer in the 28-16 win over Wests Tigers on July 26. His return sees Roger Tuivasa-Sheck shifted to the centres with Moala Graham-Taufa moving to the extended bench.
Match: Dolphins v Warriors
Round 23 -
home Team
Dolphins
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-FidowFullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
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Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne IsaakoWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
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Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake AverilloCentre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua
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Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie FarnworthCentre for Warriors is number 4 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
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Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack BostockWinger for Warriors is number 5 Edward Kosi
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Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi NikorimaFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
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Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya KatoaHalfback for Warriors is number 18 Te Maire Martin
Forwards
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Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse BromwichProp for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Max PlathHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
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Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Tevita Pangai JuniorProp for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
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2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Marata Niukore
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2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Connelly Lemuelu2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell
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Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Kenneath BromwichLock for Warriors is number 13 Dylan Walker
Interchange
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Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Oryn KeeleyInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Freddy Lussick
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Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Mark NichollsInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Tom Ale
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Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Ray StoneInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Jazz Tevaga
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Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Sean O'SullivanInterchange for Warriors is number 20 Demitric Sifakula
Reserves
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Replacement for Warriors is number 21 Taine Tuaupiki
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Reserve for Dolphins is number 18 Lachlan Hubner
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
The starting pack is unchanged for the fifth consecutive match with the interchange the same as last week comprising Freddy Lussick, Tom Ale, Tevaga and Leka Halasima.
The match gives the team’s top try scorer Dallin Watene-Zelezniak an opportunity to move closer to reaching twin milestones of 100 NRL tries and 50 tries for the Warriors.
He sits on a career tally of 97 tries in 208 appearances as he eyes the goal of becoming only the sixth New Zealander to reach the 100 mark after Manu Vatuvei, Nigel Vagana, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Jordan Rapana and Jason Nightingale.
He needs just two more tries to register 50 for the club, a feat achieved by nine players previously. With 48 in 65 he’s in line to hit the fastest 50 (David Fusitu’a has that record, achieving it in 77 matches).
Watene-Zelezniak scored twice against in 30-8 home win over the Dolphins last season, was rested for the return match in Brisbane and was a scorer again when the Warriors beat the Dolphins 24-20 in Auckland this year.
After a hot start to the season, the Dolphins have faltered lately to slip to ninth place on 24 points, three ahead of the Warriors.
