Andrew Webster defends Warriors tactics after falling to the Dolphins

The New Zealand Warriors suffered a loss to the Dolphins on Saturday in Auckland, despite five successful penalty goals from Taine Tuaupiki. Head coach Andrew Webster defended the decision to repeatedly take the points, stating that stretching the lead was necessary in a tightly contested match. The game was marked by significant disciplinary issues in the first half, with Adam Pompey and Kurt Capewell of the Warriors and Selwyn Cobbo of the Dolphins all being sent to the sin bin. Despite the loss, Webster remains optimistic about the team's path toward a grand final qualifier. The Warriors now prepare to host the Newcastle Knights in a semi-final next weekend. Separately, Leka Halasima was ruled out before kickoff after sustaining a new hamstring injury during the team's warm-up session.

• 10:01 AMZero Tackle NRL — Andrew Webster defends penalty goals, provides Halasima update