The Dolphins now have eight of their prime 30 squad absent with long-term accidents after scans on in-form playmaker Kodi Nikorima’s hamstring.
Nikorima is predicted to overlook six weeks and is because of return in both spherical 23 or 24 after struggling the harm within the thirty eighth minute of the 50-28 win over South Sydney.
The membership already has key forwards Max Plath (knee), Tom Gilbert (shoulder), Daniel Saifiti (shoulder) and Thomas Flegler (shoulder) out for the remainder of the yr.
Veteran ahead Felise Kaufusi is due again from a medial cruciate ligament (MCL) harm in spherical 22, as is current prop signing Sebastian Su’a who joined the membership from Newcastle with a lingering knee situation however is but to play a recreation.
Winger Jack Bostock can be out of motion till subsequent yr with a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) harm.
With the Dolphins having byes this weekend and in spherical 21 Nikorima, who has been in deadly kind, could solely miss three or 4 matches.
The Dolphins are in eighth place and can probably must win 4 of their remaining eight video games to achieve the finals if 30 competitors factors is the cut-off for the highest eight.
They at the least have the benefit of a for-and-against of plus-162 – the second finest behind Melbourne.
(Picture by Chris Hyde/Getty Photos)
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf does have choices to exchange Nikorima forward of the spherical 19 away conflict with Cronulla on Friday week.
Utility Kurt Donoghoe, who performed within the halves for Fiji in final yr’s Pacific Championships, is one chance. They might additionally transfer Jake Averillo from centre to No.6 or herald pure half Sean O’Sullivan.
Whereas Donoghoe has been one of many facet’s finest performers in a number of positions this yr and is the plain substitute, the lack of Nikorima is a blow.
His liaison with Katoa has been instrumental within the Dolphins’ surge into the highest eight.
The duo are recognised as one of many main pairings within the NRL this yr, their creativity and shut understanding integral to the facet’s attacking energy.
© AAP
