Dolphins star Kulikefu Finefeuiaki reveals Eli Katoa’s influence ahead of Gold Coast Titans clash

But the former North Queensland Cowboy felt that if it wasn’t for Eli Katoa’s influence on him during the Pacific Championships, he may not have taken the measure to ensure he returned from his own head knocks ready to pick up where he left off.

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Finefeuiaki was in awe of Katoa’s diligence to his extras before that fateful clash against New Zealand, in which he sustained three separate blows to the head. After undergoing brain surgery, he was ruled out of the 2026 season.

He quickly became Katoa’s shadow while in Tongan camp – dragged along to extra recovery sessions, saunas and training drills. These provided lessons he has carried on as the pair remain in contact.

“When he started talking to the media when he came out about it and got pretty emotional, I felt pretty sad – he was my roomie and does a lot for Tonga,” Finefeuiaki said.

“I message him here and there to see how he’s doing, and he’s always saying he’s still here and still smiling. I’m here for him whenever he needs me.”

Maroons ambitions

While Finefeuiaki stresses he is not fixated on the prospect of a State of Origin debut, his Dolphins teammate and former Maroons enforcer Felise Kaufusi believed he was ready to enter that furnace.

His exploits against the Rabbitohs were evidence of that, Kaufusi said, but the trick now would be doing it consistently – beginning with Sunday’s battle with the Gold Coast.

“He’s absolutely ready if he keeps putting in performances like that. Being consistent is the main thing, so being able to back that up week in and out is the main thing, and I’m sure that will hold him in good stead come selection time,” said Kaufusi, who Finefeuiaki regards as his mentor.

“I think he’s got a big year ahead of him, he’s just got to find some consistency there in his performances and the rest will come from that.”

The rising star got a taste of life in that arena when he was summoned to the Queensland camp as an extended squad member last year, admitting to feeling “star struck” by being surrounded by the best in the business.

While he sensed pundits felt he did not have the capacity to produce regular 80-minute performances, with last year being his first experience as a regular starter, he has vowed to prove them wrong.

“I do wish to put on that Maroons jersey. Moving over when I was 11 watching Origin growing up … to get that little taste last year was pretty mad,” Finefeuiaki said.

“I’m more of a quiet guy and lead by my actions, but when I came in, the likes of [Pat] Carrigan and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, how they talk and what they do as leaders is something I’m trying to implement that.

“Some people think I can’t play 80, but if Woolfy has full confidence in me to play the 80 I’m willing to do my best to play it for the team.”

World Cup ambitions

Having moved to Australia from Auckland before his 13th birthday, Finefeuiaki could make himself available for New Zealand without losing his Origin eligibility under the NRL’s new guidelines.

But he was swift to rule out that possibility, and confirmed if he were to ever change allegiances from Tonga it would be for Samoa in honour of both his parents.

While Kaufusi believed Finefeuiaki could fill the Katoa-sized void ahead of the 2026 World Cup in Australia, Finefeuiaki admits he is undecided about who he would choose.

“I’ve got a lot of questions about that, but I don’t know, to be honest. It’s hard to pick sides because I’m a mummy’s boy and a daddy’s boy,” he laughed.

“We’ll see what happens, but it’s a hard decision. I want to play for them, and down the track represent them both.”

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