Kaufusi backs Dolphins response ahead of Titans clash

Dolphins forward Felise Kaufusi says the squad is ready to respond when they take on the Titans this weekend, with the team determined to improve after their Round 1 defeat.

After a high-scoring opening game against the Rabbitohs, the Dolphins have spent the week reviewing their performance, with defence a major focus heading into the XXXX derby.

Kaufusi said the group had been honest in reviewing the loss and were already working to tighten key areas of their game.

“It’s obviously a big improvement area for us as a club and as a team,” Kaufusi said.

“We’ve still got another 24 rounds to get that right, but we had some pretty big discussions reviewing the game.

“Defence has always been a focus area for us and we’ll keep working at it.”

The experienced forward also welcomed the return of Max Plath, who is back in the side after working hard through his recovery from injury.

Kaufusi said Plath’s energy and effort around the group had been clear throughout the off-season.

“It’s awesome to see him back,” Kaufusi said.

“He’s put in a lot of work this whole off-season and getting that hit-out last week would have given him some confidence.

“You’ve seen what he’s been able to do over the years and he’s a big boost for our group.”

Kaufusi also praised the performance of Kulikefu Finefeuiaki in the Dolphins’ season opener, backing the young forward to continue building after an impressive pre-season.

“I thought he was our best on the weekend,” Kaufusi said.

“He had some really strong carries and that’s off the back of a big pre-season.

“He’s got a big year ahead of him if he can find that consistency week in, week out.”

While the Dolphins will be looking to bounce back, Kaufusi expects a fired-up Titans side after their own tough start to the season.

“They’ll be up for it just like us,” he said.

“Tino and their group will be ready to go, so it’ll come down to who turns up on the day.”

As the Dolphins continue to build in just their fourth NRL season, Kaufusi said the expectations within the group had shifted.

After narrowly missing the finals in recent years, the forward made it clear the club now expects to be playing in September.

“That’s our expectation,” Kaufusi said.

“We’ve been close the last couple of years but we’re no longer the underdogs or the new team.

“For us, playing finals football is the goal and we expect nothing less.”

The Dolphins return to Suncorp Stadium this Sunday for the Round 2 XXXX derby against the Titans.