Nikorima ruled out as Dolphins mull No.1 double act
Joel Gould |
Kristian Woolf is set to unleash a double threat at fullback as the Dolphins confirmed five-eighth Kodi Nikorima is out of the clash with Manly.
“Kodi called in sick this morning,” Dolphins coach Woolf said on Friday.
“He was on his way to the doctor to get some medications.”
Woolf initially said Nikorima was expected to play, but 24 hours out from the game his name was missing from the team list.
Jake Averillo has been switched from centre to five-eighth to cover Nikorima.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow started at left centre in the 38-28 loss to Brisbane last week and did not set the world on fire.
Trai Fuller was recalled at No.1 for his first NRL game of the season and had a blinder.
Woolf prefers Tabuai-Fidow in his favourite fullback role and said both would get a shot at it on Saturday afternoon at Brookvale Oval, despite naming Fuller in the centres.
“We could switch that around a little bit,” Woolf said.
“I don’t want to give too much away but Hammer is certainly going to spend some time at the back and Trai will spend some time there as well.
“Trai was great last week. It was great having his impact back. He is just so brave and inspires the other players with his energy.
“Hammer (Tabuai-Fidow) has got some great weapons up his sleeve and we need to make sure we are giving him plenty of footy.”
The Dolphins are on 26 points, just outside the top eight, and must win on Saturday to keep the heat on the eighth-placed Sydney Roosters.
Tough forward Ray Stone had been named 18th man but will come into the side after battling a hand injury.
“Ray will do anything for the team. He is playing,” Woolf said.
“I just had to figure out how a couple of blokes were but Ray is one of those guys you don’t want to play without.”
The Dolphins get prop Felise Kaufusi and Frank Molo back from suspension.
They have given up 102 points in the past two matches and co-captain Isaiya Katoa said their defence was not up to standard.
“I think he is spot on. I don’t think we tackled well enough last week,” Woolf said.
“We had some good things about us but that was an area that let us down. Our best performances have all come off the back of wanting to defend well and showing grit.”
AAP
