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NRL finals live: New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins, Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys
Posted Sat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:01pmSat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:01pmSat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:01pm, updated Sat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:07pmSat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:07pmSat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:07pmSkip to timeline
The New Zealand Warriors narrowly missed out on the NRL minor premiership but today they host a qualifying final against the Dolphins in Auckland.
The winner advances to the third week of the finals and hosts a grand final qualifier, while the loser gets a second chance next week.
Later, the Cronulla Sharks have a home game at the Sydney Football Stadium, not Shark Park, in an elimination final against the North Queensland Cowboys.
Follow the live blog below, keep up to date with all the latest stats in our ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage.
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Sat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:10pmSat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:10pm
Warriors team list vs Dolphins
M
By Michael Doyle
The New Zealand Warriors have been boosted by the return of Jackson Ford (17), who plays his first NRL match since sustaining a pectoral injury in round 16 against North Queensland.
Leka Halasima (4) also returns in time for finals after healing an injured ankle.
Wayde Egan (9) and Kurt Capewell (11) were rested last week in preparation for the finals.
Backs
1 Taine Tuaupiki
2 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
3 Ali Leiataua
4 Leka Halasima
5 Alofi’ana Khan-Pereira
6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
7 Te Maire Martin
Forwards
8 James Fisher-Harris (c)
9 Wayde Egan
10 Mitchell Barnett (c)
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
Head coach | Andrew Webster
Sat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:05pmSat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:05pm
Relive last night’s action as the Knights eliminated the Rabbitohs
M
By Michael Doyle
Missed the action from the opening match of the finals series?
Or do you need a refresher before we get into today’s action?
Tap the link below and catch up on last night’s elimination final between the Rabbitohs and Knights.
Key Event
Sat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:02pmSat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:02pm
What time is kick-off in the NRL finals today?
M
By Michael Doyle
Here are the kick-off times for both NRL finals matches today, in each state and territory.
New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins
- 4:05pm AEST: NSW, Queensland, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, PNG
- 3:35pm ACST: South Australia, Northern Territory
- 2:05pm AWST: Western Australia
- 6:05pm NZST: New Zealand, Fiji
- 7:05pm: Tonga, Samoa
Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys
- 7:50pm AEST: NSW, Queensland, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, PNG
- 7:20pm ACST: South Australia, Northern Territory
- 5:50pm AWST: Western Australia
- 9:50pm NZST: New Zealand, Fiji
- 10:50pm: Tonga, Samoa
Key Event
Sat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:00pmSat 12 Sep 2026 at 3:00pm
Welcome to the ABC Sport NRL live blog
M
By Michael Doyle
Good afternoon, Australia.
Welcome back to ABC Sport’s live digital coverage of the 2026 NRL finals series.
Today, two finals matches are on the card.
Firstly, we head to Auckland for a qualifying final between the New Zealand Warriors and the Dolphins.
The winner will advance to the third week of the finals and host a grand final qualifier, while the loser gets a second chance next week.
Later, the Cronulla Sharks have a home game at the Sydney Football Stadium, not Shark Park, in an elimination final against the North Queensland Cowboys.