WHEN Ipswich product Kulikefu Finefeuiaki lines up for the Dolphins this year it will signal the next step in his NRL career.
It follows a breakout season with the Cowboys, and brings the opportunity to strengthen his reputation as a workhorse in the 13-man code.
Finefeuiaki played Mal Meninga Cup for the Ipswich Jets before moving to Townsville to play for the Blackhawks in the Hostplus Cup.
He then made his NRL debut for the Cowboys in 2023 and played for Tonga in the 2024 Pacific Championships.
The 21-year-old second- rower played 25 games in 2024 for the North Queensland side before signing a three-year deal with the Redcliffe-based outfit.
The team also has a new head coach in Kristian Woolf, who brings a wealth of experience as head coach of St Helens, winning three consecutive Super League titles at the helm as well as leading the Tongan representative team.
Finefeuiaki has spoken with Woolf and understands his mission for the season ahead.
“The main factor was to try and elevate my game, try to get more minutes under my belt and learn more as time goes on. (Also) family, I’m from Ipswich … it’s closer to home, so it’s pretty good,” he said.
Finefeuiaki has followed other former Cowboys Tom Gilbert, Connelly Lemuelu and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to Redcliffe.
“They’re saying it’s a good environment, it’s a good culture here and I just want to be a part of it,” he said.
“Hopefully I can cement a starting position, get these connections going and hopefully we can lead this club into the right way.
“He (Woolf) is wanting me to bring my aggression, bring my communication and just bring energy to the team especially on the right edge. I’ve just got to do that, do my job for the boys and hopefully the boys can follow through.”
The extended squad’s preseason training has ramped up, with their first trial against the Capras in Gladstone in four weeks.
