Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Another chapter has been added to this special career renaissance of Selwyn Cobbo’s, with his try at the death – and clutch sideline conversion from Jamayne Isaako – stealing a 26-24 triumph from the New Zealand Warriors.
Less than 12 months ago, Cobbo was on the brink of being discarded by the Brisbane Broncos, with questions swirling around his fitness, dedication and work ethic as his NRL days appeared to be in limbo.
But his lifeline at Redcliffe under coach Kristian Woolf has been a thing of beauty, forcing his way back into the Queensland Maroons fold – who he will rejoin on Monday on the back of a match-winning double.
With roughly five minutes on the clock, Cobbo appeared set to be become the villain – knocking on after the Dolphins had valiantly defended their tryline, with Warriors hooker Sam Healey scoring shortly afterwards to clinch the lead.
However, Isaako’s short kick-off reaped rewards, and a loose pass hitting the turf was just the broken play Cobbo needed to charge through a gap and fight off Taine Tuaupiki to score.
He finished Saturday afternoon with a pair of tries, 142 running metres and six tackle busts.
Cobbo crossed for the Dolphins’ first try of the afternoon, diving desperately into the corner after Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was unable to reel in an Isaiya Katoa bomb.
While Jacob Laban was quick to respond for the Warriors with a brilliant catch of his own, a feat he replicated soon after for Watene-Zelezniak to score and give his side an eight-point lead, the Dolphins remained well in the hunt when Kodi Nikorima put Herbie Farnworth over untouched.
Twice the Dolphins were then denied – Cobbo deemed to have lost control as he attempted to ground the ball, and Nikorima placing his putdown on the in-goal.
It took a moment of Nikorima magic to break the scores open again, as he came up with a one-on-one steal to earn a final chance to strike before halftime. The shift to the right from the five-eighth and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow opened space for Jamayne Isaako to dive into the corner and take the lead.
Coming out of the break, Isaako had his second when he miraculously swooped up Jack Bostock’s deflected grubber, before Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad responded to set up an enthralling finish.
Katoa concerns mar triumph
If there was any player the Dolphins could not afford to lose it was Isaiya Katoa, but that nightmare has been realised.
The young halfback, already rated one of the NRL’s leading No.7s, was forced from the field clutching at his left arm in agony just 13 minutes into Saturday’s clash. It was revealed he had suffered a dislocated wrist, which was put back in on the field.
The severity of his setback is not yet known, however any extended stint on the sidelines could serve as a hammer blow to the club’s top four prospects. Warriors centre Adam Pompey was placed on report for a lifted knee in the aftermath of the incident.
Despite his absence, his partner in crime Kodi Nikorima rose to the occasion to spearhead his side’s eighth-straight win, and highlight just how high a priority his contract extension must remain.
It took a stealthy one-on-one steal from Nikorima to generate the field position for Isaako to score his first try in the shadows of halftime, while his slick hands provided Farnworth a safe passage to score. The off-contract Kiwi five-eighth’s left-edge combination with Connelly Lemuelu, Farnworth and Cobbo wreaked havoc on the Warriors defence.
But it will be the fate of Katoa that will cause Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf some headaches, after his replacement Brad Schneider produced a mixed bag upon his injection.
Some poor passes – including one forward deep in attacking territory – broke down chances, before Katoa walked to the sideline with his arm in a sling to bark instructions to his deputy.
Try saving spree
While this top four battle had been billed as a match up of two of the competition’s leading attacking teams, it was their respective defensive efforts which brought the crowd to their feet early in the piece.
Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow produced a contender for tackle of the year on his Queensland Maroons teammate Kurt Capewell – showing his strength to turn the veteran forward onto his back and force a knock on in his attempts to ground the ball.
The Warriors would soon produce their own moments of brilliance – Martin returning serve with a clutch effort on Cobbo to force the mistake inches from scoring, while Nikorima was also denied courtesy of a superhuman dive from Tanners Stowers-Smith.
Come the second half, Tom Gilbert combined with Tabuai-Fidow to hold up Tuaupiki, while Schneider came up with a strong effort to hold up Mitch Barnett.
Throughout the Dolphins’ seven-game winning streak leading into Saturday afternoon, they had scored at least 28 points in each of those. Their New Zealand rivals had registered at least 35 points on seven occasions in 2026.
This was a performance which showcased both sides’ defence would be what challenges Penrith’s premiership favouritism.
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