Warriors lock in NRL finals spot as Dolphins and Sea Eagles left scrambling for survival

Even before they play the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday night, August 23, the New Zealand Warriors are assured of a spot in the NRL playoffs.

The Auckland team is now ranked fifth in the tournament chart, however they have advanced after defeating the Dolphins 58-30 in Sydney to the Manly Sea Eagles, one of eight teams who have qualified for the postseason.

With two rounds left in the regular season, the Dolphins (ranked ninth) and Sea Eagles (10th) are presently six points behind the Warriors with 26 points from 10 victories and 12 losses. Though they can't replace the Warriors, both can still advance to the finals.


In order for the Dolphins to advance, the 'Wahs' have to either defeat the Titans or win this weekend.

With two trips to the Grand Final in 2002 and 2011, they have now advanced to the postseason in 10 of their 31 seasons.

With points from their bye this weekend and a better points difference, the Cronulla Sharks have jumped ahead of the Warriors for fourth place; but, a victory on the Gold Coast would allow the Warriors to retake that position.