Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has heaped praise on rookie fullback Trai Fuller following his impressive performance in the nerve-wracking 18-14 loss to the Knights at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday. However, the master coach has left out incumbent Maroons mainstay Tom Flegler and centre-forward Herbie Farnworth from his side’s squad. NRL The ninth round clash against the Cowboys will take place on Saturday evening in Townsville.
Fuller continued to jump for the regular Dolphins No. 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and looked dangerous almost every time he touched the ball against the Knights. The lively fullback was playing just his third game in the NRL, having starred in the round seven win over the Eels in Darwin. After the game, he was praised by Bennett for his tireless efforts to get the fast-moving Dolphins back into the game after a sluggish start against Newcastle.
“He (Trai) was unbelievable. There were other guys who never stopped trying… I really admire that quality. They just didn’t have the legs,” said Bennett. Dolphins teammate Mark Nicholls also had high praise for the 27-year-old fullback after the game.
“He’s a bundle of energy… we’ve had to try and tackle him in training at 18 months old, so I know what it’s like… I don’t want to play against the opposition when you’re tired and trying to tackle them,” Nicholls said. “He played well and definitely set up a few things for us today when we needed them. We were close but unfortunately we just didn’t get the two points.”
“Trai is 27 and has been voted QCup player of the year a couple of times. He’s stuck with it. I remember speaking to him in the off-season about whether he (would) look for an opportunity elsewhere… Hamiso is obviously here – a representative player for Queensland and Australia – it’s going to be tough for him to compete against.
“But he loves Redcliffe and didn’t want to leave. He was happy to stay here and take his opportunities when he got them. I didn’t make it to first grade until I was in my late 20s. Well done, Trai, for sticking it out.”
Injury crisis at Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins worsens
The Dolphins’ injury crisis deepened with Sunday’s loss, with both Bromwich brothers – Jesse (calf) and Kenny (concussion) – facing a chance of missing the game against the Cowboys. Jesse finished the game against the Knights with ice on his right calf, while Kenny failed a HIA in the first half after suffering a Category 2 concussion. He will be sidelined for 11 days unless the Dolphins successfully appeal to the NRL.
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“It’s a little sore and tender, but I’m going to get it checked out. I’ve never had a calf tear before,” Jesse Bromwich said after the game. “It doesn’t feel like a tear. It’s either a bad cork or a slight strain. If not, I’ll play next week or the week after. I hope to be OK next week, but (injuries) seem to be the fate of our season. A couple of players have been hurt, and others have come in and done a great job.”
Queensland representatives Flegler (shoulder) and Tabuai-Fidow (hamstring) will not be available for Saturday night’s trip to North Queensland. England international Herbie Farnworth (AC joint) will also be absent. However, experienced second-row Felise Kaufusi (hamstring) has a chance to return. “It’s a hamstring, so it’s going to be tight,” Bennett said of Kaufusi’s chances of playing.
Tom Flegler has to fight for his fitness for the Origin opening game
Flegler appears to be Bennett’s Dolphins and Queensland coach Billy Slater’s biggest concern, with the prop’s return date still uncertain. Physiotherapist and injury analyst Brien Seeney, who runs the respected social media account NRL Physio, said Bennett’s recent updates on his prop suggest Flegler’s return to the NRL is still at least 3-4 weeks away.
“The time will come when Tom can feel his shoulder again and the nerves are working properly again,” Bennett said. “It’s nerve damage and it needs to be repaired.” Slater’s Maroons have already lost mainstays Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Thomas Gilbert to seasonal injuries and Flegler’s predicament means he will have to fight to prove his fitness ahead of the State of Origin series opener in Sydney on June 5.
Of the Dolphins players with short-term injuries, Tom Flegler is considered the one who is “furthest from returning” (via @JoelGould6).
Wayne Bennett provided more information on the week-to-week report – I expect Flegler to be at least 3-4 weeks away from returning due to nerve damage in his shoulder.
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) 27 April 2024
