Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth relishes testing himself against the best and his looming one-on-one battle with returning Sydney Roosters counterpart Joseph Manu has implications for the NRL finals.
England international Farnworth was the Dolphins' major off-season signing from Brisbane and, following the side's late-season crash, he must now deliver on the big money paid when he faces one of New Zealand's best players of the NRL era.
Manu is returning in Friday night's match at Perth's HBF Park after a three-game absence with a broken hand.
In the past two months the Dolphins, in eighth position on 24 competition points, have gone from specials to play in their first finals series to being in danger of repeating last year's collapse and missing out.
They have lost six of their past eight games.
Farnworth has averaged a commendable 156m per match but has made just five line breaks in his 14 matches in 2024, compared to 16 in 26 games last year for the Broncos.
Getting the better of Manu will be vital for a Dolphins win over the third-placed Roosters.
"I love playing against the best centres in the world and Manu is certainly one of them," Farnworth said.
"He was in great form before his hand injury and I am sure he is going to come back and be in great form again.
"I am keen to play him in what is his last year in the NRL ... we''ll see."
The Dolphins' woes have been highlighted in their second halves. Last week they led 14-0 on the cusp of halftime but lost 21-14 to Gold Coast.
"There aren’t many games we haven’t led at halftime but find a way in the second half to let it all fall apart," coach Wayne Bennett said.
The Dolphins have only trailed at the break in one of the last six matches they have lost.
"I am not too sure what it is. In that second half against the Titans we weren't really completing our sets like our normal game either so it is something for us to work on," Farnworth said.
"I am sure we will be better in the second half on Friday.
"We are in eighth at the moment and we don't want to be dropping any more places. It is a must-win game for us."
