The NRL have confirmed the finals schedule for Week 2 of the finals, with no Friday night game on the menu.
The semi-finals will kick-off with the Sydney Roosters hosting the Cronulla Sharks after the tri-colours came up short against the Penrith Panthers on Sunday evening.
The Sharks kept their season alive in an elimination final this weekend by going past the North Queensland Cowboys at Moore Park.
The other game next weekend will be held in Auckland, with the New Zealand Warriors shifting to Eden Park after they fell short against the Dolphins on Saturday.
Andrew Webster's side will face the Newcastle Knights after they were successful against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in a major upset on Friday evening.
With the qualifying finals being held on Saturday and Sunday, and the Warriors being the only team who could have played on Friday if time zone issues weren't present, there was no room for a Friday night game in Week 2 of the finals.
Instead, the NRLW is expected to fill that void, with the Roosters to host their semi-final in prime time, and the Warriors to play in the Sunday afternoon slot.
It's anticipated that, come Week 3 of the finals, a similar approach will be taken by the NRL, with either Friday and Sunday, or Saturday and Sunday to be used.
The winner of the Warriors and Knights semi-final will likely face the Penrith Panthers on the Sunday afternoon at Accor Stadium, while the Dolphins will likely host their preliminary final against either the Roosters or Sharks at Suncorp Stadium, either on the Friday or Saturday.
The NRL grand final is then scheduled for Sunday, October 4.
NRL finals schedule
Week 2 (semi-finals)
Semi-final 1: Sydney Roosters vs Cronulla Sharks, Saturday, September 19, 7:50pm (AEST) at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Semi-final 2: New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights, Sunday, September 20, 4:05pm (AEST) - 6:05pm (NZST) at Eden Park, Auckland
Week 3 (Preliminary finals)
Preliminary final 2: The Dolphins vs Sydney Roosters/Cronulla Sharks, Friday September 26 OR Saturday, September 27 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Preliminary final 1: Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors/Newcastle Knights, Sunday, September 28 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Week 4 (grand final)
Grand final: Penrith Panthers/New Zealand Warriors/Newcastle Knights vs The Dolphins/Sydney Roosters/Cronulla Sharks, Sunday, October 4, 7:30pm (AEST) at Accor Stadium, Sydney
