Dolphins v Roosters: Kaufusi recalled; Walker's miracle return
The Dolphins have progressed to a preliminary final in just their fourth season in the competition and they will have a heaving crowd behind them at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night as they look to book their ticket to the big dance.
Standing in their way are the Roosters, playing in their 13th finals series in the past 14 seasons and chasing the foundation club's 16th premiership.
When the Dolphins entered the NRL in 2023 it was the Roosters they played in their first ever match at Suncorp Stadium and the new boys came away with a 28-18 victory in front of 32,000 fans.
Add on another 18,000 supporters this weekend and The Cauldron will be rocking as Kristian Woolf's men look to take down one of the NRL's superpowers in a mouth-watering do-or-die clash.
The Roosters last tasted premiership success in 2019 with James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Victor Radley, Angus Crichton and Nat Butcher all part of the side that downed Canberra 14-8 in the grand final.
On the back of a standout performance in the win over the Sharks, Tedesco will again look to show the way while Crichton will be all the better for the run after playing 30 minutes in his comeback from a foot injury in that match.
Match: Dolphins v Roosters
Finals Week 3 -
home Team
Dolphins
3rd Position
away Team
Roosters
4th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Dolphins: The big-game experience of Felise Kaufusi has earned him a spot on the six-man interchange for his first NRL game since Round 25. A two-time premiership winner with the Storm, Kaufusi is back in Kristian Woolf's squad after two finals appearances with Redcliffe in Qld Cup. Prop Tom Flegler failed a HIA early in the match against the Warriors in week one but has cleared the concussion protocols and will line up on Friday. Tevita Naufuhu drops to the reserves after being part of the 19 in Auckland a fortnight ago but failing to get a run. Jake Averillo and Brian Pouniu round out the extended squad.
Roosters: A huge boost for the Roosters with halfback Sam Walker back on deck just 24 days after suffering a syndesmosis injury against the Dolphins and undergoing surgery. Daly Cherry-Evans moves back to five-eighth, Hugo Savala goes to the bench and Toby Rodwell makes way. Egan Butcher is listed among the reserves after coming through the concussion protocols. Tommy Talau and Benaiah Ioelu round out the squad.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-FidowFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne IsaakoWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Jack BostockCentre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
-
Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie FarnworthCentre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia
-
Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Selwyn CobboWinger for Roosters is number 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase
-
Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi NikorimaFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Daly Cherry-Evans
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Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya KatoaHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Thomas FleglerProp for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu Whyte
-
Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-KingHooker for Roosters is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Tom GilbertProp for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
-
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Max Plath2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Salesi Foketi
-
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong
-
Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Morgan KnowlesLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Kurt DonoghoeInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Ray StoneInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Angus Crichton
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Francis MoloInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Connelly LemueluInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Spencer Leniu
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 18 Felise KaufusiInterchange for Roosters is number 18 Hugo Savala
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 19 Bradley SchneiderInterchange for Roosters is number 19 Cody Ramsey
Reserves
-
Reserve for Dolphins is number 20 Jake AverilloReserve for Roosters is number 20 Egan Butcher
-
Reserve for Dolphins is number 21 Brian PouniuReserve for Roosters is number 21 Tommy Talau
-
Reserve for Dolphins is number 22 Tevita NaufahuReserve for Roosters is number 22 Benaiah Ioelu
Dolphins Ins
- Brian Pouniu
- Felise Kaufusi
- Jake Averillo
Roosters Ins
- Benaiah Ioelu
- Egan Butcher
- Sam Walker
- Tommy Talau
Dolphins Outs
Roosters Ins
- Toby Rodwell
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Tyson Brough
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Dolphins won both regular season games against the Roosters in 2026.
- The Roosters have won eight preliminary finals since 2000.
- The Dolphins have won their last eight games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has scored five tries in three games against the Dolphins.
- Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako requires two points for 300 for the season.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
