NRL news: Latest on Dolphins recruitment drive, targets revealed

The Dolphins have been linked to every available NRL player - and a bunch still under contract. But we break down who their targets really are - and why Wayne Bennett’s as calm as ever.

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett says the club “is not going to pull the trigger early” after a landmark day for the new franchise with the prized scalp of Storm star Felise Kaufusi.

Kaufusi, 29, is the first player to commit to the club after inking a three year deal Bennett at the Dolphins from 2023.

It has been a slow burn for the Dolphins who have been in the market since November 1 and have been linked to a host of players including Tino Fa‘asuamaleaui, Christian Welch and Pat Carrigan.

They are in discussions with Kalyn Ponga, Junior Paulo and Brandon Smith but Bennett insisted the club were in no rush to fill their top 30.

Melbourne and Queensland Origin forward Felise Kaufusi will join the Dolphins as their inaugural marquee signing. Picture: Brett Costello

“No one is panicking,” Bennett said.

“No one is going to pull the trigger too early. It will take time. We will have a team ready to go this time next year. I hope over the next few months (we will have more signings).

“We’re talking to a number of players. We’ve been good as a club, we’ve kept our mouth shut.

“If you’re playing football and coming off contract you could be a candidate for the Dolphins.

“It is good to get one over the line.”

Kaufusi is a significant step into building a strong roster. He will play out next year at the Storm before taking on a leadership role with the Dolphins.

Bennett coached Kaufusi during Queensland’s Origin success last year and was instantly impressed.

“I’m pleased he is coming,” Bennett said.

“He is a wonderful player. He will be an important part of our future. I’ve coached against him a lot of times. He is a really good professional and good for the players around him.

“(During Origin) I had him geared up to do a few things. He will be part of the leadership at the club. He brings all that.

“He is a good player first. That’s the first priority. The second part – being a Queenslander – is a bonus.”

Kaufusi, who has played four Tests for Australia and 12 games for Queensland, said he remained committed to the Storm for 2022.

Felise Kaufusi Picture: NRL Photos

“I certainly want to make the most of the last year and have to thank everyone at Storm for making the last seven seasons so memorable for me and family,” Kaufusi said.

“(Coach) Craig (Bellamy) and (head of football) Frank (Ponissi) have been great to me, Bec and our kids and we will certainly miss everyone when the time comes.

“But for now, I’m just looking forward to get into pre-season training with my Storm mates.”

The Storm only re-signed Welch this week. Smith is expected to make his mind up in the next fortnight as he decides between the Dolphins, Roosters, Cowboys and Titans. He has spent this week mingling with the Roosters including having a hit of golf with New Zealand teammate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and a pair of retired Roosters — Jake Friend and Mitch Aubusson on Wednesday.

Storm captain Jesse Bromwich is off-contract while brother Kenny has an option in his favour for 2023.

Dolphins chief executive Terry Reader said the acquisition of Kaufusi was a significant coup for the franchise.

“It is imperative the Dolphins build a squad that contains players of representative calibre and Felise certainly fits that mould,” Reader said.

Kaufusi’s signing will ease some pressure on the NRL newcomers who have been linked to more than 20 players through mainstream and social media.

Sources with knowledge of the Dolphins’ recruitment plans told The Daily Telegraph which players were genuinely attractive and which players were erroneously linked to the Redcliffe-based club.

Gold Coast’s Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has been identified as the only player to have rejected the Dolphins. Despite interest, Fa’asuamaleaui decided to re-sign with the Titans after securing a deal worth around $900,000 a season. He also didn’t want to play for three clubs in four years.

Many players linked to the Dolphins are under contract with their current club until 2023, preventing the new franchise, under NRL rules, from making a formal approach.

“Anyone off contact is being linked to us,” Reader said.

Felise Kaufusi is the Dolphins' first marquee NRL signing.

“We know that’s going to happen because, the honest truth is, we’re a new club and we have to sign 30 players. We will be spoken about anytime a player is off contract.

“When you look at the names that have been linked to us, many aren’t even off contract. And we’re not even able to speak to them. We always expected we’d be the No.1 topic of conversation.

“They become players the Dolphins have missed out on and that is factually incorrect. Many are contracted to their current clubs until the end of ’23. They’re not on the market.

“Often when you see stories about players linked to us there aren’t any quotes from the Dolphins. We’re in negotiations with a number of players but we won’t play that out in the media.

“We didn’t make a habit of commenting on possible players and coaches we might have been targeting in our bid process and we’re not going to start now that we’re in the market and in negotiations.

“We’re not fussed with what’s happening. We’re really comfortable with where we are at the moment and the position we’re in and will continue on the path we know is right.

“The market has only been open for 25 days. Patience is also the key. We don’t have to sign everyone in the first three weeks of being able to sign players.”

Tino Fa`asuamaleaui was one signing that did get away. Picture: NRL Images

Reader said his club was working quietly yet effectively to build a powerful roster for their 2023 inclusion.

“We’re not like other clubs where they’re talking about one or two players. We’ve got 30 spots to fill but we’d rather miss a player than get one wrong and pay too much,” he said.

“We are targeting certain players and are happy where those negotiations currently are. We don’t start pre-season until November next year, almost 12 months away, and we don’t play for nearly 15 months.

“Our coach (Wayne Bennett) is one of the best in the business and Peter O’Sullivan is one of the best recruit chiefs in the business.”

Sources close to the club say a host of names have been incorrectly linked to the Dolphins.

“Some of the players linked to the club…it’s bulls..t,” said one source. “Nobody other than Tino has knocked back the club. The fact he stayed isn’t the end of the world. Being linked to guys like Cameron Munster, they’re not off contract.”

BEHIND THE DOLPHINS’ RECRUITMENT NET

Potential Dolphins targets and the story behind the link

Jahrome Hughes: Contacted Dolphins to reveal he wouldn’t take up Melbourne option for 2024. No further contact.

Brandon Smith: Interest and has met with club officials.

Clint Gutherson: Not a word exchanged between the two parties before he re-signed with Parramatta

Cameron Munster: Under contract, cannot be approached. Hasn’t spoken with club.

Reed Mahoney: Bulldogs-bound hooker was never spoken about, the club wants Brandon Smith.

Selwyn Cobbo: Broncos young gun is not off contract.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard: Contact made but Dolphins were told he was receiving big money to stay at Parramatta.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui: The only player the Dolphins have missed after he re-signed with the Titans.

Kalyn Ponga: Interest with option in his favour for 2023.

Api Koroisau: No interest in Panthers No.9, the club wants Smith.

Angus Crichton: Never discussed.

Pat Carrigan has re-signed with the Broncos. Picture: Annette Dew

Christian Welch: Prepared to take $100,000 pay cut to play with Redcliffe but still wanted huge money. Re-signed with the Storm this week.

Isaiah Papali’i: Never spoke about signing the Tigers-bound back-rower and never contacted him.

Joey Manu: Never discussed the Roosters three-quarter.

Harry Grant: Storm hooker is not off contract.

Viliame Kikau: Contacted club but self-value – around $1m a season - was excessive.

Pat Carrigan: Met with club but officials didn’t make offer. Has since re-signed with Brisbane

Cody Walker: Elected against pursuing him given Wayne Bennett’s link to Souths. No contact.

Junior Paulo: Off contract and there is interest in the Eels’ Origin front-rower.

Jamayne Isaako: Met with club. Dolphins had a figure, Issako had a figure, but the cash gap was huge.

Daly Cherry-Evans: Not off contract.

Ash Taylor: No interest.