Overview

• The NRL confirmed Melbourne v Canterbury on Friday night, Warriors v Penrith in Auckland on Saturday afternoon, Cronulla v Roosters on Saturday night, and Canberra v Brisbane on Sunday afternoon.
• Canberra’s preference for a Sunday qualifying final was granted to maximise recovery after securing the minor premiership.
• The Warriors’ 4.05pm EST Saturday kickoff in Auckland will run head-to-head with an All Blacks Test in Wellington despite the club’s request to move earlier.
• Cronulla playmaker Nicho Hynes has been charged for a hip-drop on Marcelo Montoya and faces a judiciary case that could sideline him for the Roosters match.
• The Warriors head into the playoffs on a poor run with injuries to Mitch Barnett and Luke Metcalf and scrutiny over a reported hour-long ambulance delay after Rocco Berry’s shoulder dislocation.