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.

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.

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 official annual of the NRL.