Judiciary hand Dolphins another setback in finals fight
Scott Bailey |
The Dolphins have copped another blow out of their crucial win over the Warriors, with veteran forward Felise Kaufusi facing a two-match ban for dangerous contact.
Already reeling from the loss of star centre Herbie Farnworth to a hamstring injury, Kaufusi was on Saturday hit with a grade-two charge for the tackle that injured Jacob Laban.
Kaufusi will miss two games with an early guilty plea, or risk a third match on the sidelines if he attempts to fight the charge and loses.
It came as Brisbane breathed a sight of relief on Saturday, with star fullback Reece Walsh avoiding a ban for a shoulder charge in the win over South Sydney.
Walsh was charged with a grade-one offence, but is able to escape with a $1500 fine and line up in Thursday night’s blockbuster against Melbourne.
Warriors hooker Samuel Healy is also facing two fines for dangerous contact and a crusher tackle out of Friday night, while Souths centre Isaiah Tass has also been fined for a high shot.
But it is Kaufusi’s charge that will attract the most attention, as part of an injury-ravaged Dolphins roster.
Playing in his first game since a long layoff for a knee injury, Kaufusi was sin-binned late when he hit Laban around the legs as the third man into a tackle in Auckland.
Warriors coach Andrew Webster said afterwards Laban had “felt something pop in his leg”, with the Warriors forward staying down and being assisted from the field.
The Dolphins managed to come from behind to win without Kaufusi on the field, but the 33-year-old looms as a key out in the race to the finals.
Second-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki is due to return from a broken thumb soon, having returned to training recently with heavy strapping.
Replacing Farnworth also looms as a challenge, given the Dolphins are already down an outside back with Jack Bostock’s season-ending knee injury.
Jamayne Isaako battled through a groin injury in Friday night’s win, unable to kick goals while remaining on the field to score the last-minute match-winning try.
Jake Averillo would loom as one option to move to centre as part of a backline reshuffle, with Tevita Naufahu having stepped up on the wing in recent weeks.
The Dolphins have a huge match against the Sydney Roosters next Saturday, before games against Brisbane, Manly, Gold Coast and Canberra on the run home.
They have survived a litany of injuries to remain in the top eight, with Tom Flegler, Tom Gilbert, Max Plath and Daniel Saifiti all out for the season.
AAP
