The Warriors have suffered a major setback ahead of Friday’s Round 22 meeting with the Dolphins, with captain James Fisher-Harris ruled out for two weeks due to a calf injury.
Fisher-Harris headlines a growing casualty list that now includes hooker Wayde Egan and half Chanel Harris-Tavita, who will also miss the Go Media Stadium showdown. Egan is in concussion protocols following a head knock against the Titans, while Harris-Tavita has a calf complaint of his own.
The club has confirmed Queensland Origin forward Kurt Capewell will take over the captaincy in Fisher-Harris' absence, with Demitric Vaimauga stepping into the starting front row.
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Rookie Sam Healey has been named to start at hooker for just his third NRL game of the season, replacing Egan, while Te Maire Martin returns to the halves to partner Tanah Boyd.
Freddy Lussick, who has impressed at NSW Cup level this year, has been named on the interchange bench and is set for his first NRL appearance of 2025. Utility back Taine Tuaupiki also comes into the 17.
Despite the injury cloud hanging over the squad, the Warriors sit fourth on the ladder and remain in strong contention for a top-four finish. The Dolphins, fresh off a bye and sitting eighth, loom as a dangerous opponent.
Between them, the seven injured Warriors players, Fisher-Harris, Egan, Harris-Tavita, Mitchell Barnett, Luke Metcalf, Rocco Berry and Ali Leiataua, have over 730 NRL games’ worth of experience.