Life of Brian: Dolphins rookie Pouniu ready to ride the wave

Dolphins rookie Brian Pouniu announced himself as a player of the future with his breakout performance in the win over the Eels, looking more than comfortable in just his second game of NRL.

A ‘late’ promotion to start in the second row in place of the injured Connelly Lemuelu, the the Auckland-born talent topped the tackle count for his side with 39 and also made the most metres for a forward in with 179 metres, including a line break.

Still only 18 years old, after making his NRL debut back in Round 12 at centre in the win over the Raiders, Pouniu has spent most of this season developing his game with the Redcliffe Dolphins in Queensland’s Hostplus Cup. He also made a cameo for the NRL Dolphins NRLQ Under 21 side in their Round 11 win over the Titans.

For the club, there is even more reason to celebrate his progress, becoming first player to come through and play at every level of their academy. 

“(I felt) really good (playing in the second row) … it was actually Max Plath that was meant to come as a starter, but Woolfy [coach Kristian Woolf] trusted my ability to start and then play the full 80, so I'm just grateful," Pouniu said. 

“He had a plan straight after Connolly got injured, he said I'll play the next week, and then he just said you'll start …

“I guess being at a young age (I am) extremely grateful the coaches trusted me with the job ...

“I'm just really grateful for this club … playing my first Cup game this year and then playing my first NRL game this year.

"I think the jump is pretty major from Cup to NRL, but it was a good experience from coming from Cup to NRL.”

Pouniu’s rise top the grade has plenty of extra meaning for the youngster. He is also living the dream of his older brother Joseph, who was also a talented forward before suffering a serious spinal cord injury during a game that cut short his promising rugby league career.

Now working as an analyst with the Gold Coast Titans, the club where he was signed as a player, the younger Pouniu was still taking advice from his big brother.

“If you know me, obviously know my brother,” Pouniu said.

“I'm certain he would have played NRL if he was still playing and I carry him on my back every time I play.

“He is (still involved in rugby league); extremely grateful for the Titans for giving him the opportunity to still work there after everything.

“He still loves his footy, so I'm glad.

“(He still gives me advice) 100 percent.

“He cut some videos up for me, so it's good.”

With Redcliffe sitting in second spot on the Cup ladder, Pouniu will be playing finals football either way later this season and was making sure he would be ready to perform if given another opportunity to feature in the NRL.

Taking on tips from some of the most experienced players in the NRL squad, including Lemuelu, Pouniu was excited to see what was coming next.

“I'm just worrying about my own job," Pouniu said. 

“Whenever someone gets injured, it's next man up mentality, so I just try to play for the boys.

“(I look up to) heaps of the older boys, Fus [Felise Kaufusi], Connolly Lemuelu, Kodi Nikorima and Herbie Farnworth.

“Having them on the left edge makes my job more easier.

“We'll see what the next few weeks hold for me, but I will do anything that the coach asks of me … but basically the first job is finals.

“If someone in the backrow gets injured, then I'll put my hand up for that job.”

The Dolphins will next take on the Roosters in a battle between third and fourth on Saturday.