Felise Kaufusi Sin-Binned for High Tackle as Dolphins Deliver a Strong Statement in First Half

Despite the absence of seasoned forward Felise Kaufusi, the Dolphins maintained their momentum with a thrilling start to the first half in Townsville.

In the third minute, Jack Bostock sent a strong signal to the Cowboys with an incredible try, dancing and spinning his way down the sideline to score in the corner.

However, Bostock’s exhilarating display was soon overshadowed when his teammate Kaufusi received a penalty for a concerning high tackle on Thomas Duffy.

Duffy, who came on to replace the injured Scott Drinkwater, had only been on the field for two minutes before he too was directed to undergo a head injury assessment.

Initially, it seemed that Duffy and Kaufusi had clashed heads due to Kaufusi’s aggressive tackle, which was reviewed by the Bunker.

“It’s a head-on-head collision,” Greg Alexander commented on Fox League during the replays.

“There’s not much technique in that tackle,” analyst Andrew Voss noted.

Referee Todd Smith subsequently confirmed the contact was high, with moderate force, resulting in Kaufusi being sent to the sin bin for ten minutes.

With two players down courtesy of head injury assessments, the Cowboys awaited confirmation on whether they could activate the 18th man, Marly Bitungane.

Ultimately, it was determined that Bitungane’s services were not required.

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Despite being a player down, the Cowboys’ defence struggled to contain the Dolphins’ relentless attack, allowing Bostock to score again with help from a high ball by Jake Clifford.

Oryn Keely added another try for the Dolphins in the 21st minute, before Murray Taulagi finally put points on the board for the Cowboys a set later.

The Dolphins extended their lead to 16-4 just before half-time thanks to Kurt Donoghoe, who scooped up a loose ball to score from close range.

“There’s a lot of pressure on the Cowboys,” Alexander remarked.

“The Dolphins have them on the backfoot.”