Such is the Dolphins’ opinion of their budding star, the hierarchy felt unable to keep their most prolific player from leaving for the Melbourne Storm.
Meet Tevita Naufahu, the 20-year-old who convinced his club that as much as they wished to find room for Jamayne Isaako on their roster, they had a young flyer who could carry on his legacy.
Isaako set an NRL record two weeks ago when he reached 95 consecutive games in which he had scored points. The goal-kicking winger continued that trend in the 26-24 triumph of the Warriors, while he is yet to miss a game since the Dolphins joined the competition in 2023.
But with reborn Queensland Maroons star Selwyn Cobbo extending his contract to the end of 2027, and Naufahu demonstrating his worth, Isaako will venture south after the Dolphins were unable to match Melbourne’s bid for his services.
“It wasn’t about not keeping Jamayne or not wanting to keep him here – we’d love to keep him here, and love what he brings. There are a lot of things to balance out in the squad and salary cap … and he’s got a great opportunity at Melbourne that he’s taken,” Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said.
“What I really like about Jamayne is the way he’s performed since then, he’s shown everyone how much the club means to him.
“I like everything Tevita brings. Every time he’s stepped in, he’s performed for us, and I think he’s getting better and better every game and every opportunity.
“I’ve got so much confidence in what he can do for us now, and where he’s going to be in six months’ time. There’s a real opening there for him to be not just a starting winger for us, but to be a long-term player for us – he’s certainly got that ability.”
Naufahu will add to his 11 NRL caps when the Dolphins clash with the Knights on Sunday, replacing Cobbo as the latter prepares for the State of Origin decider on July 8.
He has already struck up a formidable partnership with strike centre Herbie Farnworth – scoring three tries while averaging 224 running metres and almost six tackle busts a game from three starting appearances this year.
Not that the Kiwi and Tongan prospect would harbour reservations about shifting to the right, where soon-to-be New South Wales debutant Jack Bostock rocketed into Blues contention after overcoming a ruptured ACL suffered last year.
Naufahu happens to live with Bostock and is dating his sister – Gold Coast Titans NRLW star Indie Bostock.
“I can’t call the shots with Woolfy, I just tell him ‘put me anywhere’, and I’ll play for the team,” Naufahu laughed when asked if he had whispered in the coach’s ear about linking up with Bostock.
“For Jack, you’ve got to give him props – you can knock him down at times, and he’ll get back up, and he’ll get stronger.”
But there is more to Naufahu than his strengths with ball in hand – attributes he honed as a New Zealand rugby union hopeful with dreams of representing the All Blacks.
His try-saving covering tackle to deny Roosters fullback Cody Ramsey, despite the Dolphins leading 42-4, was another telling sign of his potential. Not to mention his speed, coming from the other side of the field to race more than 100 metres in less than 12 seconds.
“That was all ingrained in the pre-season,” Naufahu said.
“We’ve talked about effort since the pre-season, so I think me doing that shows the boys that I’ve got their back, and hopefully, they can trust me further in the season.”
Woolf added: “It’s everything I want him to be as a player, I love seeing that in him and seeing that drive. It was a big play and really said a lot about who he is.”
For all the potential Naufahu brings, there is no denying the Dolphins will miss the evergreen Isaako. The 30-year-old has scored 61 tries and kicked 436 goals in 87 appearances, and he is on track to finish as the season’s leading point scorer for the third time in four years.
Naufahu – signed until the end of 2027 – admits the task of becoming the long-term successor of the Kiwi veteran of 14 Test caps would be an almighty one.
“When a player like that leaves, you kind of set yourself a bigger challenge and want the club to trust you, so you back yourself,” Naufahu said.
“I remember seeing him [Isaako] in school, scoring tries, so to be able to play in the same team as him, he offers a lot. I’m really the next man up, and I’ll make sure I put my best foot forward.
“I’d love to be at this club [long-term]. I love this club.”
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