By Nick Wright
Even in a losing cause, Trai Fuller declared himself as a man who desperately needed a promotion into the Dolphins’ top squad, while cementing the importance of the Queensland Cup.
Stepping into the enormous void of the injured Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, the 27-year-old fullback almost orchestrated a remarkable last-minute comeback against the Newcastle Knights, only to come up with his one error for the clash at the final moment.
Trai Fuller in action for the Dolphins against the Newcastle Knights.Credit: NRL Photos
Fuller looked to offload in the dying stages, after his side scored in back-to-back sets at the death, only for rival halfback Jackson Hastings to dive on the loose ball, securing an 18-14 triumph for the visitors.
But aside from that moment, Fuller was exceptional – running for 241 metres while making three line breaks and 11 tackle busts in a colossal display.
His cutout pass for winger Jamayne Isaako set up the grandstand finish, as Jake Averillo crossed to back up Isaako’s own try moments earlier.
Fuller, currently on a development contract with the Dolphins, has not followed the narrative of young prodigy bursting onto the NRL scene fresh out of high school.
He has fought for his opportunities through the Queensland Cup, igniting the Redcliffe outfit from the back and declaring the notion that not every NRL player must come through the ranks early in life.
Cody Walker, Jamal Fogarty and in more recent times Taine Tuaupiki have all proved that.
“He’s a livewire, I’ve had to try and tackle him at training for 18 months and I know what it’s like and I wouldn’t want to be on the opposition when you’re tired trying to tackle him,” Dolphins prop Mark Nicholls said.
“He’s played well and he definitely created some stuff for us today when we needed it. We got close, but unfortunately, we just couldn’t get the two points.
“Trai’s 27, he’s got QCup player of the year a couple of times and he’s stuck at it. I remember in the off season I spoke to him about whether he looked at going to get an opportunity somewhere else – obviously Hamiso’s here … that’s going to be hard for him to get a run.
“But he loves Redcliffe and he didn’t want to leave, he was happy to stay here and take his opportunities when he got it. I’m sure there’s plenty of guys in Cup who if they stick to it they can play.
“I didn’t crack first-grade until my late 20s, so well done to Trai for sticking with it.”
Gagai’s push for Origin recall takes flight
The hamstring injury to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has likely opened up a centre spot in the Queensland Maroons line-up, and Dane Gagai will be firmly pushing to answer an SOS from coach Billy Slater.
Taking the co-captaincy duties from the injured Kalyn Ponga, alongside Jayden Brailey, Gagai led with his actions at Suncorp Stadium – scoring a key try while running for 100 metres, busting six tackles and making 23 tackles of his own.
Dane Gagai scores for the Newcastle Knights against the Dolphins.Credit: NRL Photos
He even took over the goalkicking duties, which ultimately proved the difference in the three-tries-apiece contest.
Gagai was a shock omission from last year’s State of Origin series, not chosen to add to his 22 Queensland caps despite becoming renowned for the way in which he found a new gear in the interstate furnace.
Tabuai-Fidow’s initial prognosis was a six-week recovery, which would mean he does not get the chance to play a game before the squads are chosen for Game One on June 5.
Gagai’s form this year has shown he will not be slowing down at 33, and Knights coach Adam O’Brien backed him to return to the Maroons’ fold.
“He’s been excellent for us. I thought his defence out on that edge he was really solid and actually was looking to hunt the opposition,” O’Brien said.
“Billy will pick his team and it’s not like Gags hasn’t been there before and done it.”
Ponga-less world shows some life
Concerns were rife that Newcastle’s sluggish start to the season was only just beginning when Ponga was ruled out for the next three months with a Lisfranc injury.
David Armstrong has gone a long way to silence those doubters.
David Armstrong celebrates his Newcastle Knights debut against the Dolphins.Credit: NRL Photos
The debutant bega in remarkable fashion, swooping on a Jackson Hastings inside ball to slice through a gaping hole and score. Towards then end of the first half, he showed his confidence to back himself – kicking through for himself early in the count only to be beaten to the punch by Fuller.
He went on to finish with a try, 180 running metres, two linebreaks and 11 tackle busts.
“We had Davey’s family there and they were actually where he scored right in front of him, so you couldn’t script it any better for the young bloke,” O’Brien said.
“He was obviously nervous all week, but we spoke about mateship as one of the trademarks for the weekend we’re celebrating and that good teammates were going to look after Davey today.
“I thought they did that and he played his part as well. He’s a little bit uncanny, stuff happens around Davey.
“We actually had [former Knights winger] Darren Albert present him his jersey and we spoke a bit about how stuff happens around Alby, so Davey just pushing up on the inside of plays it was pretty fitting that we got him to present that jersey.
“He’s got that ability, I know in the first half he kicked on play two but I don’t want to strip that out of him. You’re going to have your hair-pulling moments with him but he’ll have a fair few where you stand up and clap him as well.
“I don’t want to get carried away, it’s his first game, but he did a hell of a job for us – I’m proud of him.”
Further injury blows rub salt into Dolphins’ wounds
Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett confirmed Herbie Farnworth and Thomas Flegler would not be fit to return from shoulder injuries next week against the Cowboys in Townsville.
And the pair could be joined on the sidelines by captain Jesse Bromwich, who left the field early with a calf concern.
“He’s got a calf problem at the moment, but we’re not sure what it is,” Bennett said.
“He’s not walking real good, it could be around the back of the knee somewhere as well.”
Jacob Saifiti injured his ankle in the Newcastle Knights win over the Dolphins.Credit: NRL Photos
Felise Kaufusi may be a stronger chance to make his comeback from a hamstring injury, while the Knights could also be without Jacob Saifiti, Jed Cartwright and Greg Marzhew with ankle problems.