Watene-Zelezniak remains sidelined after surgery on a broken collarbone sustained in last month’s win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
The winger is back training but wearing a non-contact bib as he recovers. He’s expected to return later in the finals.
With Watene-Zelezniak unavailable, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad remains on the right wing, with last week’s hat-trick hero Taine Tuaupiki retaining his fullback position.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins are at full strength for their first finals match, with winger Selwyn Cobbo (ankle), back-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (knee) and five-eighth Kodi Nikorima (hamstring) all returning from rest to overcome niggling injuries.
Expect another tight battle between the two sides, with their six NRL clashes all decided by four points or fewer.
In round eight, the Warriors overcame a 12-point deficit to claim a 20-18 win on Anzac Day in Wellington.
Then in round 17 in Brisbane, the Warriors thought they had snatched victory before a Selwyn Cobbo try in the final two minutes meant the Dolphins clinched a 26-24 win.
The winner this weekend will advance straight to the preliminary final in two weeks, while the loser will face either the South Sydney Rabbitohs or Newcastle Knights in a sudden-death semi-final next week.
Should the Warriors win and advance to the final four, it is expected the match will be played at Eden Park.
Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Leka Halasima, 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
Interchange (from): 14. Sam Healey, 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Jackson Ford, 18. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 20. Adam Pompey, 21. Jett Cleary, 22. Luke Laulilii, 23. Makaia Tafua.
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Jack Bostock, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Selwyn Cobbo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Isaiya Katoa; 8. Thomas Flegler, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Tom Gilbert, 11. Max Plath, 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 13. Morgan Knowles.
Interchange (from): 14. Kurt Donoghoe, 15. Ray Stone, 16. Francis Molo, 17. Connelly Lemuelu, 18. Felise Kaufusi, 19. Bradley Schneider, 20. Jake Averillo, 21. Brian Pouniu, 22. Tevita Naufahu
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.
