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June 12, 2026 \u2014 10:21pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Isaiya Katoa has ensured he remains at the forefront of New South Wales consideration with a stunning masterclass against the Sydney Roosters to thrust the Dolphins into the NRL\u2019s top four.<\/p>\n The Dolphins halfback, called into Blues camp this week as cover for Mitchell Moses, pulled the strings in his side\u2019s 48-10 triumph in a clash missing 12 players through State of Origin duties between the outfits.<\/p>\n This was a case of the game\u2019s best rising No.7 against one of its elder statesmen in Daly Cherry-Evans. And with a try, a hand in several others, and 687 kicking metres, Katoa was in a class of his own.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old\u2019s early kicking game was composed and perfect for the wet conditions, rarely straying from end-over-end bombs aimed at Sydney winger Tommy Talau. That pressure eventually forced an error, with the Dolphins\u2019 maestro throwing a lavish dummy to sell Cherry-Evans on the next set to score the opening try.<\/p>\n The way he engaged the line opened up five-eighth Kodi Nikorima, with the Kiwi playing pivotal roles in tries to Herbie Farnworth and Trai Fuller. He even pulled out a brilliant second-half trick \u2013 chipping for his No.6 to score, with Jeremy Marshall-King, Connelly Lemuelu, Brad Schneider and Tevita Naufahu all scoring afterwards.<\/p>\n Sydney would have been frustrated to be denied the opening points, after Salesi Foketi was pinned by the bunker for a double movement \u2013 Francis Molo clinging to him, but the Roosters lock appeared to have momentum on his side.<\/p>\n However, from that moment, they faltered against the Dolphins\u2019 charge under Katoa\u2019s guidance, while also losing Reece Foley and Hugo Savala to head injury assessments. Consolation tries to debutants Rex Bassingthwaighte and Toby Rodwell added some respectability to the score.<\/p>\n Nathan Cleary may have a mortgage on the New South Wales halfback jumper, but his former Panthers prodigy will remain hot on his heels.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was great for him to get that experience, getting to go and hang around guys like Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses, and I think that\u2019s all part of his development,\u201d Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said of Katoa\u2019s stint in Blues camp on the eve of Friday night\u2019s encounter.<\/p>\n Related Article \u201cI\u2019ve seen him grow in confidence over the last 12 months, being around those camps last year, and going into camp this year and again being around the calibre of players there. I think that really helps him in terms of his confidence and his communication.<\/p>\n \u201cHe might only pick up one or two little things, but they\u2019re all little things that come back and help us as well.\u201d<\/p>\n The Dolphins will, however, be sweating on the fitness of goal-kicking winger Jamayne Isaako, who pulled out of the final tackle of the game, reeling in pain and clutching at his arm.<\/p>\n Frantic Fuller<\/p>\n Fresh off inking a one-year contract extension to remain at the Dolphins, Fuller proved once again he was a cut above being a backup NRL player.<\/p>\n Stepping into the fullback void left by Maroons ace Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, the 29-year-old was fearless in everything he did.<\/p>\n Every carry he made was fast and direct with no thoughts of self-preservation, running for 156 metres by halftime before scoring the first try after the break, supporting an Oryn Keeley linebreak orchestrated by Nikorima.<\/p>\n Related Article His efforts \u2013 finishing with 266 running metres \u2013 raised the question again of how long he can remain a reserve. It was Fuller\u2019s powerful kick return after a strong Dolphins defensive set that generated the quick play the ball for Naufahu to burst through the line, with the shift to the right gifting Farnworth for the easiest of tries.<\/p>\n While a Redcliffe junior, Fuller will come off contract as the Papua New Guinea Chiefs join the competition, and Woolf suggested on the eve of Friday\u2019s clash they needed to find more ways to inject the livewire if they were to retain his services long-term.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to still keep finding opportunities for him, and he had an opportunity in the centres going back to the Warriors game, and he did a little bit in round one as well. We know he can do a job on the wing as well,\u201d Woolf said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got incredible depth through the outside back positions and across the board, so his opportunities have been a little bit less or more limited, I suppose, but every time he steps in, he does an outstanding job. He brings energy, he brings toughness, he\u2019s a bloke I know every player out there wants to play with.\u201d<\/p>\n Gilbert\u2019s Maroons message<\/p>\n While he undoubtedly would have been disappointed to miss Queensland selection, Tom Gilbert\u2019s resurgence has ensured his name will remain on Billy Slater\u2019s radar.<\/p>\n As he has slowly worked his way back from the best part of three injury-plagued years on the sidelines, the Dolphins co-captain came off the bench with plenty of vigour.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/063e889da883fef1dc7725ad97e4f1da30119f26.jpeg\")
The Dolphins celebrate an Isaiya Katoa try.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Kalyn](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/8dd4c9a8882508e695189f651ca8344ca4f76263.jpeg\")
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