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Rugby League2 min read

Warriors name team for semifinal: DWZ, Halasima return in extended squad

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has been included in the extended squad for the elimination semifinal against the Newcastle Knights at Eden Park, less than four weeks after breaking his right clavicle.
Warriors name team for semifinal: DWZ, Halasima return in extended squad

Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has been included in the extended squad for the Warriors elimination semifinal against the Newcastle Knights at Eden Park on Sunday.

Less than four weeks after breaking his right clavicle, the 31-year-old has been selected in the reserved for the historic first NRL final played at Eden Park, also set to be the biggest crowd in history for a rugby league match in New Zealand.

Watene-Zelezniak is now in line to make his return after suffering the injury in the 45-26 win over the Rabbitohs on 22 August.

If he plays, Watene-Zelezniak will make his 250th NRL appearance in a 13-season career which has spanned time with the Panthers, Bulldogs and Warriors.

While Watene-Zelezniak is in the frame, centre Leka Halasima has also been named on the extended bench after missing last Saturday's 16-26 qualifying loss to the Dolphins.

Ruled out is prop Jackson Ford, who suffered an ankle injury in his comeback after being sidelined since June with a pectoral tear.

Eddie Ieremia-Toeava has been called up in his absence.

The rest of the side selected is the same which started against the Dolphins.

The Warriors' seventh home final is the first they have played away from Go Media Stadium.

It will be their second play-off against the Knights. In the first in 2023, the Warriors came back from a week one finals loss to Penrith to beat Newcastle 40-10 at Go Media Stadium.

Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Te Maire Martin, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Mitchell Barnett, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark

Bench: 14. Sam Healey, 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 18. Jett Cleary, 20. Morgan Gannon.

Reserves: 21. Makaia Tafua, 22. Leka Halasima, 23. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Dominic Young, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Greg Marzhew, 6. Fletcher Sharpe, 7. Sandon Smith, 8. Tyson Frizell, 9. Phoenix Crossland, 10. Cody Hopwood, 11. Jermaine McEwen, 12. Francis Manuleleua, 13. Mat Croker

Bench: 14. Harrison Graham, 15. Lachlan Crouch, 16. Pasami Saulo, 17. Thomas Cant, 18. Fletcher Hunt, 19. Toby Winter.

Reserves: 20. Kyle McCarthy, 21. Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana, 22. Dylan Lucas

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It was published on September 15, 2026 and last updated on October 9, 2026. The time of the story is shown in your own time zone on the page.

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