Donoghoe has nose for NSW after Dolphins extension
Joel Gould |
Dolphins utility Kurt Donoghoe has set his sights on a NSW jersey after inking an extension until the end of 2028.
The Newcastle-born 1980s-style tough nut, who was on the club’s books until 2027, has had a stunning rise in the NRL and is now a Test regular for Fiji with seven internationals to his credit.
When he arrived in Queensland in the 2023 pre-season he was initially signed to CQ Capras. He got a train-and-trial deal with the Dolphins and impressed Wayne Bennett so much that he was named on the bench in the club’s first ever game against the Sydney Roosters, which they won.
Last year was the 24-year-old’s best season, playing 22 games in multiple positions and winning the club’s best forward and most consistent awards.
Donoghoe has fast become coach Kristian Woolf’s indispensable man. In his NRL, Queensland Cup and NSW Cup career he has started in every position on the field apart from prop.
Not only that, he is now one of the first picked and is set to start at No.9 in the club’s season opener against South Sydney in the wake of first-choice rake Jeremy Marshall-King’s knee injury.
The new deal has put a spring in the step of elite athlete Donoghoe, who won the club’s fitness tests in the pre-season.
“I’ve made myself a home here … so I’m happy to extend,” he said.
“The Dolphins gave me my first crack and have backed me. Woolfy has really showed faith in me, so I’m happy I can repay him and the club.”
Donoghoe would make a wonderful utility in State of Origin, and has a passion for the state and its history.
“It’d be a massive goal of mine,” he said.
“I grew up watching NSW and went through all the pain for all those years.
“It’d mean a lot to me. I definitely wouldn’t look back if I got the opportunity.
“I liked Paul Gallen. He went through all the hard times … and (admired) Jarryd Hayne and Trent Hodkinson. When he got that try in the drought-breaker (in 2014) it was unreal.”
Donoghoe has played solely in the halves for Fiji, and his standout displays in the 2024 Pacific Championships really kick-started him into what was a great 2025.
“My grandfmother (Kim) was Fijian. Unfortunately she’s not with us,” he said.
“She is the reason I played for Fiji, so when I get to those camps and play for her I get to learn more about my culture.
“It brings me back closer to that side of my family.
“I get to play a bigger role at five-eighth and tell the boys what to do.
“I can build confidence, and it definitely helps coming back to the Dolphins.”
Donoghoe has won admiration for his toughness. In one match last year he broke his war-torn nose and went back into the fray.
“I need a nose job. It got busted up again in the first wrestling session, but it’s all right,” he grinned.
“It was just the once it was properly broken.”
So will he be more careful in future?
“Probably not,” he said.
“Lucky I didn’t get it fixed because it will probably happen again.”
AAP
