The Warriors host the Dolphins at Mt Smart tonight in a qualifying final, with the winner earning a week off and a home preliminary final.
With the Wahs Nation at fever pitch and talk building of a maiden premiership just three wins away, the Dolphins face an intimidating atmosphere that will test their finals debut.
The Dolphins hold bragging rights over the Warriors after a 26-24 win in Round 17 at Suncorp Stadium, in what was one of seven straight blockbuster meetings between the clubs, each decided by four points or fewer.
"We've had two really tight games this year," Warriors coach Andrew Webster said.
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said the occasion was a landmark one for his club, playing in their first-ever finals series in just their third NRL season.
"It's special for the club and special for the players," Woolf said. "A lot of these players have been here since day one and many of them debuted at the club. It's something we can't wait for."
1News.co.nz will have live updates from 6pm.
The highly anticipated match sold out in less than 20 minutes, so even some of the most faithful followers missed out. (Source: 1News)
The Warriors have a huge boost with prop Jackson Ford returning off the bench for his first game since a pectoral injury against the Cowboys in Round 16. Centre Leka Halasima is also back from an ankle injury, while rested duo Wayde Egan and Kurt Capewell return to the starting side for the qualifying final.
Sam Healey, Adam Pompey and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava revert to the interchange, with Jett Cleary the reserve. Try-scoring winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak remains sidelined with a collarbone injury.
The Dolphins are at full strength for their first-ever finals appearance, with winger Selwyn Cobbo (ankle), back-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (knee) and five-eighth Kodi Nikorima (hamstring) all returning after being rested last week.
Team lists
Warriors
1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Leka Halasima, 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Te Maire Martin, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Mitchell Barnett, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark.
Interchange: 14. Sam Healey, 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Jackson Ford, 18. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 20. Adam Pompey.
Reserve: 21. Jett Cleary.
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. Tom Gilbert, 11. Max Plath, 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 13. Morgan Knowles.
Interchange: 14. Kurt Donoghoe, 15. Ray Stone, 16. Francis Molo, 17. Connelly Lemuelu, 18. Felise Kaufusi, 19. Bradley Schneider.
Reserve: 22. Tevita Naufahu.
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