Dolphins stars bolster Origin selection claims with brilliant performances in big win
Dolphins forwards Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Tom Gilbert gave Queensland State of Origin coach Billy Slater a big serving of food for thought in a 40-14 win over the Cowboys on Saturday.
Broncos workhorse Patrick Carrigan played off the bench in game one but is unavailable for the remainder of the series after suffering an ankle injury last Sunday.
Kulikefu Finefeuiaki. Getty
His injury opened the door for the likes of Finefeuiaki and Gilbert to nab a spot on the Maroons’ six-man bench for the June 17 clash in Melbourne – and both turned in brilliant displays in Townsville on Saturday as they pressed their Origin claims.
Across 80 minutes in the second row against North Queensland, Finefeuiaki racked up 138 run metres, including 61 post-contact, from 15 carries. He also made 33 tackles.
Gilbert gave the Dolphins a huge boost off the bench, chalking up 117 run metres from 11 carries and busting out of five tackles.
His top carry of the evening was an incredible run off the back fence late in the first half. He crashed into the Cowboys defensive line near the 10-metre line and wasn’t stopped until just after the 40-metre line.
Gilbert was also superb in defence, making 24 tackles and missing zero.
Slater could use the 25-year-old on an edge or in the middle. Finefeuiaki is only a back-rower, although Reuben Cotter, who played in the second row in game one, could be used in the middle in Melbourne, which gives Slater the flexibility to give Finefeuiaki a run.
The Dolphins led the Cowboys 16-10 at half-time before carving up their opponents in the second half.
Cowboys centre Tom Chester was awarded a controversial try in the 20th minute. Dolphins flyer Selwyn Cobbo, who had a scintillating game, appeared to have forced the ball loose as Chester lunged over the try line, but the Bunker ruled the ball-carrier had planted the ball.
Michael Ennis disagreed with the Bunker’s decision.
“I just think that’s a loose carry,” Ennis said on Fox League.
“I love the fact Chester just played the whistle ... It just didn’t look like a try.”
Cobbo churned out a whopping 321 run metres from 20 carries. The former Broncos star also bagged two tries and broke out of eight tackles.
