The Cauldron will be pumping on Saturday evening as the eighth-placed Dolphins host ninth-placed Roosters in a clash with huge finals ramifications.
It's fitting that the team the Dolphins played and beat in their first ever NRL match in 2023 comes to Brisbane with everything to play for in the race for spots in the bottom half of the top eight.
Both sides are coming off wins and both sides will feel they have done enough to deserve a finals spot but the loser of this Round 23 blockbuster will face a nervous run to the wire.
The battle between gifted playmakers Isaiya Katoa and Sam Walker should be worth the price of admission alone while fullbacks Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and James Tedesco know all about rising to the occasion in high-pressure matches.
Since losing to the Dolphins in that historic encounter in 2023, the Roosters have won the three subsequent clashes between the sides so there will be no fear heading to Suncorp Stadium for a season-defining showdown.
Match: Dolphins v Roosters
Round 23 -
home Team
Dolphins
8th Position
away Team
Roosters
9th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Team News
Dolphins: The loss of Herbie Farnworth to a hamstring injury sees youngster Tevita Naufahu slide into the centres after two games on the wing in Round 19 and 20. Mark Nicholls starts at prop in place of Felise Kaufusi (suspended) while Kulikefu Finefuiaki returns from a thumb injury suffered in Round 19.
Roosters: Trent Robinson sticks with the same 17 that took care of Manly in Round 22 with Victor Radley and Connor Watson named to start after coming off the bench last week. Benaiah Ioelu and Spencer Leniu go to the bench but late positional switches could again be on the cards for the must-win clash.
Match: Dolphins v Roosters
Round 23 -
home Team
Dolphins
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-FidowFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne IsaakoWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Max FeagaiCentre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
-
Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Tevita NaufahuCentre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia
-
Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Jake AverilloWinger for Roosters is number 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase
-
Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi NikorimaFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Hugo Savala
-
Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya KatoaHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Francis MoloProp for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
-
Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-KingHooker for Roosters is number 14 Benaiah Ioelu
-
Prop for Dolphins is number 15 Aublix TawhaProp for Roosters is number 17 Spencer Leniu
-
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Oryn Keeley2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
-
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 16 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong
-
Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Kurt DonoghoeLock for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu Whyte
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 10 Mark NichollsInterchange for Roosters is number 9 Connor Watson
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 11 Connelly LemueluInterchange for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Ray StoneInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Egan Butcher
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Josh KerrInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Salesi Foketi
Reserves
-
Replacement for Dolphins is number 22 Trai FullerReplacement for Roosters is number 18 Ethan King
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Dolphins have won five of their last seven games at Suncorp Stadium.
- The Roosters have scored 106 points in three consecutive wins against the Dolphins.
- Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored 14 tries in his last seven games at Suncorp.
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored seven tries in his last six games.
- The Dolphins have scored over 40 points in five of their last eight games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
