Dolphins’ Kaufusi facing ban as decisive game looms
The Dolphins are at risk of being without Felise Kaufusi for the rest of their NRL season after the Queensland second-rower was charged for his late hit on Adam Reynolds.
Sin-binned early in the Dolphins’ 40-6 win over Brisbane on Saturday night, Kaufusi was on Sunday handed a grade-two dangerous contact charge.
With prior offences, Kaufusi will miss cop a two-game ban with an early guilty plea or risk a third game on the sideline if he contests the the charge and fails.
It means Kaufusi will likely miss the Dolphins’ must-win clash with Newcastle next week, and the first week of the expansion club’s first finals series if they are victorious in that game.
If Kaufusi was to accept the ban, he would only play again this season if the Dolphins advance to the second week of the finals.
The charge comes after Kaufusi and Broncos halfback Reynolds clashed verbally as the pair walked off the field after the incident, with the Dolphin seemingly accusing his rival of gamesmanship.
Kaufusi has had a horror judiciary record in recent years, with the charge his ninth since the start of 2022.
But regardless, Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett said there was no need for the veteran to tone down his aggression.
“Not really, you’ve got to live with that,” Bennett said.
“You know that the opposition players are not going to take an extra metre into the line when he’s there and you kind of don’t want to lose that.
“So there is a risk factor involved there.”
Fellow Dolphin Connelly Lemuelu was also charged with dangerous contact in the win, but can pay a $750 fine.
Brisbane forward Xavier Willison is facing a one-match ban for a high tackle, and will miss the last-round clash with Melbourne if he takes the early plea.
There was good news for Cronulla, with Jack Williams and Kayal Iro also both avoiding bans for high tackles on Warriors veteran Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
The pair were both charged, but can accept fines and face Manly next Sunday.
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