Kaufusi reveals Bennett’s message to Dolphins

Published 1:17pm 6 August 2024

Dolphins hardman Felise Kaufusi has revealed Wayne Bennett’s message to the squad as they fight to stay in the finals’ hunt against the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium this Sunday (kick off 2pm).

Frustrated by poor execution, but heartened by their effort, Bennett’s message to players at training today was simple...

“Don’t give up. We’ve still got five games to go and we’re still in the hunt. I’ve still got that belief. We’re just out of touch there in the eight and a winning game, or two, will get us back in it,” Kaufusi says.

“It’s not hard (to work out). We’ve just got to win. As easy as it sounds, I know how hard it is ... the logjam through that ladder from five through to 12 or 13. There’s one or two games in between. Winning solves everything and, I guess, we go again this weekend.”

Kaufusi knows the Dolphins will need to start strongly and maintain momentum to beat a Warriors side keen to finish the season well for Shaun Johnson, who has just announced he will retire from the NRL at the end of this season. The Dolphins are ninth on the NRL ladder and the Warriors are in 13^thplace.

“It just gives them some more motivation to try to send him out as best as they can. I know he will be doing his best, so will the team, to try to get this win over us this weekend,” Kaufusi says.

“He’s been awesome for rugby league and especially for New Zealanders as well ... little kids growing up, watching him with his flair, his sidesteps, flick passes ... he will be a big loss for the game.

“His legacy and what he’s left behind will be awesome. He’s got a pretty awesome highlights package for those who missed out watching him play.”

While the Warriors might now have added motivation to play well on Sunday, the Dolphins also have an inspirational leader they want to see play finals footy one more time – Jesse Bromwich.

“We’re all playing for the big fella. He’s been awesome for the Dolphins. He’s our skipper, that’s who we look up to, he’s been a big leader for us,” Kaufusi says.

“We’re doing our best, we’ll try to do our best with these last games to try to get into the finals.”

The Dolphins will name their side later today, and it is expected to include Tevita Pangai Junior and Jamayne Isaako even though neither trained today.

Both had scans yesterday with the results giving them a chance to be fit for the 2pm kick-off on Sunday.

Isaako rolled his ankle in the tight loss to the Roosters in Perth. Scans showed a left ankle ligament injury, with the winger to undergo a rehabilitation run on Thursday. If he can clear that, he will be a chance to prove his fitness to play at the Dolphins' captain's run on Saturday.

Pangai junior is in a similar situation after missing the Roosters clash with a calf problem. He has a low-grade calf strain and will also be put through rehabilitation protocol this week.

Star fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow left training early, but the reason is not clear. In good news, Kodi Nikorima appears to have recovered from the flu and trained with the squad this morning.