In a remarkable turnaround, the Dolphins secured their place in their first preliminary final by defeating the Warriors 26-16 in Auckland.
With the Warriors leading 16-8 and only 20 minutes left in the match, the Dolphins, known for their resilience in 2026, executed a stunning comeback.
Herbie Farnworth's impressive play was a highlight, as he weaved through defenders to score, igniting the Dolphins' attack.
A dynamic 90-meter sequence involving fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Farnworth ultimately gave the Dolphins a 20-16 lead.
Jack Bostock then solidified the victory by stealing the ball to score, ensuring a home preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium in two weeks.
The match attracted a packed crowd of 26,131 fans at Mt Smart Stadium, who experienced a fierce battle between two teams establishing a rivalry.
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf expressed pride in his team's achievement, stating, "It is big. It is massive for everyone involved at the club," emphasizing the players' bravery.
Meanwhile, the Warriors will face Newcastle in the semi-finals next week, but they will likely miss key players Leka Halasima and Jackson Ford due to injuries.
Halasima was ruled out during warm-ups with a hamstring issue, forcing Adam Pompey into the starting lineup.
Warriors coach Andrew Webster remained resolute following the loss, acknowledging the need to quickly adapt and learn from this experience.
The match itself was intense and physical, featuring multiple sin-binnings and a chaotic melee sparked by a dangerous tackle.
Early on, the Warriors appeared dominant, with fullback Taine Tuaupiki scoring a try and establishing a 10-2 lead.
Despite this, Farnworth's assist leading to a try for Selwyn Cobbo was crucial, helping to shift the game's momentum back to the Dolphins.
As the Dolphins capitalized on their scoring opportunities, the Warriors' hopes of hosting a preliminary final quickly evaporated.