Averillo: ‘I’m sure he’ll let us know soon’

Dolphins NRL Head Coach Wayne Bennett has named his team ahead of Sunday’s do-or-die clash against the Knights, but who will play in which position may not be clear until closer to game day.

The centre of last week’s ‘switch-a-roo’ isn’t even sure where he’s playing yet.

“We’ll see what happens. We’ve got a longer week and (Tuesday) was only our first session. We’ve got a few options, obviously with Kodi coming back. We’ll see later on in the week,” Jake Averillo says.

“I’m sure he’ll let us know soon.”

Bennett surprised many, when he partnered Averillo with Sean O’Sullivan in the halves for the Battle of Brisbane, moving Isaiya Katoa to the bench with Kodi Nikorima out due to concussion protocols.

He also moved Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to the centres and played Trai Fuller at fullback.

The changes worked, with the Dolphins demolishing the Broncos 40-6 at Suncorp Stadium last Saturday.

“He (Bennett) sort of just told me during the week … we weren’t too sure what we were going to do. I just wanted to play a simple game, train how I wanted to play and play to my strengths which is my running game,” Averillo says.

“I played most of my juniors there and a little bit of five-eighth when I came into first grade (with the Bulldogs). It wasn’t too crazy (playing there last week).

“I just wanted to run the ball early and provide space to my outside guys like Herbie (Farnworth). I think that went well.”

Farnworth had a blinder, scoring two tries and having a hand in two others.

Averillo scored two himself, set Farnworth up to score and added strike power to the Dolphins’ attack.

The dominant display against the Dolphins’ hometown rivals came at the right end of the season.

“I think it gives us a lot of confidence. I think that’s how we were playing at the start of the season and we sort of haven’t been playing our second halves, so it was good to get a complete performance,” Averillo says.

Bennett has named a relatively unchanged team for the final round of the regular season, appearing to stick to the formula which worked against the Broncos.

There are just three changes – the addition of Captain Jesse Bromwich and Kodi Nikorima, who are fit to play after completing concussion protocols. Nikorima has been named on the bench in a utility role.

Mark Nicholls will move back to the bench and Kenny Bromwich will start at lock.

The Dolphins successfully had Felise Kaufusi's charge downgraded at the judiciary on Tuesday night, meaning he is free to play in this Sunday's do-or-die clash with the Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium (4.05pm kick off).

Kaufusi was facing three weeks on the sideline, if the club’s challenge was unsuccessful, but will instead cop a fine for a dangerous contact charge resulting from a collision with the Broncos' Adam Reynolds in last Saturday’s game.

The Dolphins need to bring the same energy in attack and defence, when they take on Kalyn Ponga’s Newcastle Knights at home. The winner will make the top eight and play finals football.

So, how do they contain Ponga?

“Just take down his time and space. It’s pretty simple. He’s obviously going to make a few good plays, here and there, but we’ve just got to limit his touches,” Averillo says.

“Obviously the kicking game’s going to be really important … where we give them the ball … we’ve got to limit his space. If I do play six, I’m going to have to balance out that kicking game a bit, give us a few more options.”

The 24-year-old says it won’t be difficult to be as motivated to win this game as it was to win the Battle of Brisbane.

“It’s either we win, we stay and play finals, or we lose and our season’s over. It’s pretty simple when you look at it like that,” he says.