Dolphins rest Hammer, have fullback option for Sharks
Joel Gould |
The Dolphins have decided to rest star fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow against Cronulla.
Tabuai-Fidow had a great game in attack and defence at No.1 for Queensland in the Maroons’ 24-12 win over NSW in the State of Origin decider on Wednesday night.
He stayed in Sydney ahead of Friday night’s away trip to face the Sharks with the Dolphins squad leaving Brisbane on Thursday afternoon, but with the short turnaround coach Kristian Woolf has taken the cautious approach.
Woolf said before leaving Redcliffe he would check on the man known as Hammer on his arrival before making the decision, in the knowledge either 18th man Trai Fuller or named winger Jake Averillo could switch to fullback.
He has named Fuller, who will play his first NRL game of the year since a ruptured ACL late in 2024.
Woolf was impressed with Tabuai-Fidow’s first starting match as a Maroons fullback.
“I thought he was great, so I’m really happy for him and really happy he got that opportunity. I’m sure we’ll see plenty of that in the future too,” Woolf said.
Fuller has impressed the coach.
“I think Trai’s ready to go again. He’s been back for a little while now too,” Woolf added.
“He’s played a couple of games (in Queensland Cup) where he’s played 40 minutes and 60 minutes, and he’s played three 80-minute games. He’s been training fully now for seven or eight weeks, so he’s ready to go.”
The Dolphins have lost starting No.6 Kodi Nikorima to a long-term hamstring injury but Woolf has confidence the experienced Sean O’Sullivan will slot in and do the job in the halves alongside captain Isaiya Katoa.
“Sean’s a very good football player. You go back to 2023, Sean was our halfback and we had some really good wins that year and played some really good footy,” Woolf said.
“A lot of that was on the back of him, so nothing’s changed. He’s just so talented. He brings his own type of footy, and I don’t want him to go out there and try to be Kodi.
“I want him to come out there and be Sean, play to his strengths and his potential. If he does that and him and Isaiya complement each other really well, then we’re going to play well.”
Meanwhile, Woolf confirmed the club was trying to ensure off-contract prop Josh Kerr stayed at the Dolphins beyond this year.
The 29-year-old was rewarded for his hot club form by being named as 20th man for the Maroons.
“We would like him to be here and he does want to be here so we’re trying to figure something out. Salary caps and positions can be complicated sometimes,” Woolf said.
“(Origin was) a great experience for him. He loved the camp and he’s loved the people he’s been around and the players he’s been around.”
Kerr also remained in Sydney after the Maroons’ win and will come off the bench against Cronulla.
The Dolphins are in eighth position, on the same points as the Sharks (20) but with a better for and against.
AAP
