Kaufusi's simple solution for floundering Dolphins

Felise Kaufusi has a simple message for his Dolphins teammates as they aim for finals football. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)

Dolphins forward Felise Kaufusi has a simple answer to how his side can get their NRL campaign back on track and play finals.

"Winning solves everything," Kaufusi grinned, in a response of pure simplicity that would have been music to his coach Wayne Bennett's ears.

The Dolphins have lost seven of their last nine to slip two points outside the top eight, where they were situated from round two until round 21.

Six of those losses have been by seven points or less. Four wins from the next five games are necessary to get to 32 points and a maiden finals appearance, starting with the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

The Dolphins have been brought undone by their dire second halves. In recent weeks Bennett has used terms like "self-destruct" and "making errors under 10s wouldn't make" to describe what has occurred. The bottom line is the Dolphins have forgotten how to win and need to start remembering.

They trailed 12-0, unusually, against the Sydney Roosters last week but led 26-20 early in the second half before losing 40-34.

“Our second halves have been our Achilles heel," Kaufusi said.

“We’ve found ourselves in good positions and slipped away.

“We’re trying to address that. We started slow last week and you can’t give the good sides a lead like that.

“We’ve got to learn from it. We haven’t been in those positions too much."

Bennett has also had a simple message for the team.

“Don’t give up," Kaufusi said.

“We’ve still got five games to go and we’re in the hunt.

“I’ve got the belief. We’re just out of touch. A winning game or two will get us back in there."

The Dolphins want to send out retiring skipper and warhorse prop Jesse Bromwich a winner.

“We’re all playing for the big fella," Kaufusi said.

“He’s been awesome for the Dolphins. He’s our skipper and who we look up to.

“He’s been a big leader for us.We’re doing our best."

The Warriors, who must win all their remaining games to play finals, will also farewell retiring half Shaun Johnson at season's end.

“He will be a big loss for the game but his legacy and what he leaves behind is awesome," Kaufusi said.

“I’m sure he’s looking forward to finishing the year off as best as he can and it gives them more motivation to send him out as best as they can too."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store