Wing and some flair: Rookie Naufahu hoping for finals fling

It has been a rapid rise for Naufahu, who debuted against the Sharks in Round 19 as the Dolphins' injury toll to the backs started to catch up to that of the forwards.

Also comfortable at centre and fullback, Naufahu has crossed for four tries already, with a double against the Roosters in Round 23 and another in his side’s important 36-30 win over the Titans last week.

Making the move from New Zealand, Naufahu joined the Dolphins in 2024 as a rugby union recruit who attended St Kentigern College in Auckland and was also selected in the New Zealand Schoolboys side in 2023.

After playing for Redcliffe - who are also based at Kayo Stadium - in the Queensland Rugby League’s Under 19 Mal Meninga Cup competition in 2024, Naufahu made his Hostplus Cup debut this year with the Central Queensland Capras, before getting the unexpected call-up to the NRL.

“It’s still pretty surreal hitting the field with the boys, but I think with Woolfy [coach Kristian Woolf] backing me up and putting confidence in me, it helps me to go out there and just focus on my job," Naufahu said. 

“For my debut, when I was running out, I couldn't really gather my emotions and as soon as I hit the field, it kind of put me in tears and I was trying to regather myself.

“It was good to have my family come over from New Zealand and they were there to support … was just a huge achievement for me to give back to my parents ...

“I used to play a bit of rep league with a few boys from back home and then got picked up from Dolphins in my last year of school and then made the move over; just kind of took the leap and hoped I'd get something from it.

“My parents told me to 'go there, work hard', and then that got me to where I am now and obviously with Cup; playing Cup this year, debuting this year for Cup as well, (these were) just big achievements for me.

“I think that was the whole plan with me coming into this year's program, Woolfy wanted me to get ready for Cup and handle that level and work on myself before stepping up to this challenge of NRL.

“Cup was a good step for me and stepping up from last year to get around the big boys and have a jam with them.”

Another Dolphins back who called Kayo Stadium home before joining with the NRL Dolphins is Trai Fuller, who has returned from an ACL injury with a bang.

Fuller, who played Cup for both Redcliffe and the Capras this season has he worked his way back into the NRL team, has once again been named at fullback for his fourth game in a row.

“It felt good to finally get back out there … we're a little bit short on numbers in the outside backs at the moment with Herbie [Farnworth] going down, but it's been good getting a few games towards the end of the year,” Fuller said.

“Hopefully I can repay them by just keep playing good footy.

“It's been a tough one (this season); this is my first big injury and it took a while for me to get my confidence back and running off it; but I'm just happy to be back up playing with the boys.”

Like Naufahu, Fuller was hopeful that the side would be playing for a place in the top eight come Sunday.

“We have just got to obviously wait on results, but everyone's still hoping and hanging in there that we'll get a crack.”