New Dolphins forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki wants to take the next step in his promising NRL career, and he has the dream mentor for any rampaging second-rower.
The 21-year-old former North Queensland firebrand will be nurtured by veteran Felise Kaufusi as he targets playing on the right edge where Kaufusi has made a career out of terrorising opponents.
Kaufusi played in the middle at prop for Wayne Bennett on occasions last year and filled that role for Tonga in the Pacific Cup.
Kenny Bromwich, a premiership-winning second-rower alongside Kaufusi at Melbourne, has also been used by the Dolphins in the middle.
The younger legs of Finefeuiaki, Connelly Lemuelu, 26, and 21-year-old Oryn Keeley have them slated to contend for back-row spots as Kaufusi and Bromwich transition into middles in their twilight years.
Kaufusi is still a dynamo on an edge, and Finefeuiaki knows that cementing a starting spot won't be handed to him on a platter by new coach Kristian Woolf.
"It will be very hard," he said.
"There’s a lot of back-rowers with Connelly Lemuelu and Oryn Keeley, so I’ve just got to train hard and learn off Kaufusi.
"Now he’s playing more in the middle, I’ve just got to learn off him and just get feedback off the halves.
"I saw Felise play at Melbourne when I was 12 or 13, so to train alongside him and hopefully play alongside him is really truly special."
Finefeuiaki was in the Tonga squad for the Pacific Cup where Woolf was also the coach, so he is well aware what areas he needs to fine-tune.
"He (Woolf) wanted me to bring my passion, bring my communication and just bring energy to the team, especially on the right edge, so I’ve just got to do that and do my job," Finefeuiaki said.
"My first impressions of Woolfy were pretty good. He wants the best out of you every session."
Finefeuiaki played 25 games in 2024 for the Cowboys, where his fearsome running style and powerhouse defence epitomised his play.
He moved to the Dolphins to take his game to the next level.
"The main factor was to try and elevate my game, get more minutes under my belt and learn more," Finefeuiaki said.
"Family (was another reason). I’m from Ipswich, so it’s closer to home."
