Game 1: Friday (6.30pm AEST) 4-Warriors v 5-Parramatta Eels at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
different to the AFL para played this a/noon and now have to travel to NZ for friday nights game, 5 day break
Game 2: Saturday (6.30pm AEST) 3-North Queensland Cowboys v 6-Bulldogs at Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
repeat of last friday night's game. same teams and same venue
Game 3: Saturday (8.30pm AEST) 2-Manly Sea Eagles v 7-South Sydney Rabbitohs at Brookvale Oval, Sydney
rabbitohs 1st finals appearence since 1989
Game 4: Sunday (4.00pm AEST) 1-Melbourne Storm v 8-Brisbane Broncos at Olympic Park, Melbourne.
repeat of last years G/F. brisbane get absolutely thrashed this a/noon but get a 7 day break. go figure

Under the NRL's final eight system, the two highest ranked winners in week one will progress directly to the preliminary finals while the two lowest ranked losers are eliminated.