Though the result was ultimately immaterial, the first-half performance was one to forget.
The Warriors were missing eight top-line players – including Shaun Johnson, Addin Fonua-Blake and Tohu Harris – but the first period was well below the standards set in 2023, as they conceded four tries and were fortunate not to ship two or three more.
After being torn apart in the first half, the Warriors restored some pride, briefly threatening a comeback at 22-10 before the Dolphins sealed the result with two late tries.
Few will question Webster’s decision to rotate his squad, given the importance of what is coming, but the coach would have expected a better initial response from the rejigged team.
But they were dominated physically and spend most of the first half grinding from their own territory, while the senior players present couldn’t lift the youngsters around them.
It was also a perfect storm. A sweltering afternoon, a hard track and a festival atmosphere for the expansion team, who are full of flair and pace at their best.
On the plus side, Warriors showed heart in the second period and also came through unscathed in terms of injuries.
Fullback Taine Tuaupiki enhanced his reputation, while interchange forward Tom Ale gave a reminder of his potential impact. Te Maire Martin will be much better for the run while Webster was able to give NRL debuts to Kalani Going and Paul Roache.
The first half was the Warriors’ worst of the season. Even with the absentees, there was no excuse for the defensive effort.
The Dolphins made a staggering 10 line breaks, cutting the Warriors open at will in the second quarter. They had double the number of running metres, with 14 offloads to two. Nothing went right for the Warriors with their rare opportunities but the Dolphins also bombed several chances.
The Warriors had the better of the initial exchanges, before a poor concession for the opening try.
The visitors were hot on attack when Jamayne Isaako intercepted a looping Martin pass, scampering 50 metres. Two plays later Jack Bostock dived across in the corner, after the Warriors had switched off following a late offload.
The Dolphins butchered two more opportunities but the pressure told, with a brace of tries in three minutes. Dolphins’ halfback Sean O’Sullivan dummied and darted over, before a slashing break on the right eventually led to Isaiya Katoa crossing on the other flank.
The Warriors were hanging on, heads down and hands on hips. They had no ball and rare spells of possessions were spoilt by cheap penalties or incomplete sets.
The worst episode came late in the half. The Auckland team had done well to hold the Dolphins out with some desperate defence, but mounted a ragged kick chase and gave up a try to Isaako on the hooter.
Thankfully, the Warriors found something after the break, as they worked their way into the arm wrestle. Freddie Lussick dived over from dummy half, before a spectacular 90-metre move a minute later. It was one of the best tries of the season, as Martin, Josh Curran and Adam Pompey combined before Marcelo Montoya finished well in the corner.
They had momentum, but it unravelled from a soft penalty – after an over enthusiastic tackle by Roache – before Kodi Nikorima took advantage of some static defence to set up Max Plath in the 65th, then Kenny Bromwich rounded out the party in the final minute.
Warriors 10 (Freddie Lussick, Marcelo Montoya tries: Adam Pompey con)
Dolphins 34 (Jack Bostock, Sean O’Sullivan, Isaiya Katoa, Jamayne Isaako, Max Plath, Kenny Bromwich tries; Jamayne Isaako 5 cons)
Halftime: 22-0
