Dolphins upgrade young trio

Author: Liam Edwards
Timestamp: Fri 25 Jul 2025, 01:23 PM

The Dolphins' Academy and development pathways are once again delivering emerging talent, with exciting young trio Tevita Naufahu, LJ Nonu and John Fineanganofo all earning contract upgrades and extensions through to 2027.

Having run for 176 metres in his NRL debut, Tevita Naufahu will now be a member of the Dolphins' top 30 squad after receiving a contract upgrade at the start of June.

Naufahu joined the Dolphins in 2024 as a junior rugby union recruit, previously attending St Kentigern College in Auckland, before being selected to the New Zealand Schoolboys side in 2023.

As a member of the Dolphins affiliate side, the Capras, Naufahu has scored eight tries in nine appearances for the Central Queensland side in the Hostplus Cup so far this season, appearing at wing, centre and fullback. He has also made one appearance for the Dolphins NRLQ Under 20 side, in their Round 3 victory over the Broncos.

In a further boost for the Dolphins outside back stocks, LJ Nonu will join Naufahu in the NRL squad in 2026.

Nonu's contract will see him become a development player for the remainder of 2025, before a member of the top 30 in 2026 and 2027.

He will partake in his second NRL preseason, having participated as a member of the Dolphins academy and transition group in 2025.

Nonu has also impressed in the Hostplus Cup this year, having played in nine games for Norths Devils before a mid-season switch to the Redcliffe Dolphins.

An attacking outside back with an eye for the try line, Nonu scored a hat-trick earlier this year in Dolphins' 50-4 victory over the Cowboys in Round 2 of the NRL preseason.

Looking beyond backline stocks, the Dolphins have also upgraded John Fineanganofo, who will become a development player in 2026 and join the top 30 squad in 2027.

Originally from Auckland, playing union at Auckland Grammar School, Fineanganofo joined the Dolphins academy and Redcliffe State High School, before being selected as a member of the 2023 Australian Schoolboys rugby league team.

Fineanganofo, a hooker, but has also multiple positions in the forwards and halves, as seen from his ten appearances in the Hostplus Cup for the Capras so far this season.