NRL pundits paid tribute to Wayne Bennett after the veteran manager led the Dolphins to a shock win over the Sydney Roosters on his NRL debut on Sunday, describing it as one of the biggest upsets the game has ever seen. game.
The failure of the Dolphins to secure a notable signing ahead of their inaugural season in the league raised major questions about their prospects of being competitive in their first campaign in the league.
Even with seven-time premiership winner Bennett in charge, the general consensus ahead of Round 1 had the NRL’s number 17 club as one of the favorites for the wooden spoon.
But the Dolphins and Bennett didn’t follow the script on Sunday, putting the NRL on notice with a fairy tale start in a brutal and stunning 28-18 comeback victory over the error-plagued Roosters.
‘This is the biggest win you’ve seen in the last what? For a long, long, 15, 20 years. The last decade. It’s unbelievable,” said Paul Vautin in Nine.
Wayne Bennett planned a major upset after the Dolphins beat the Roosters to mark his NRL debut off to a dream start
The new NRL club beat the Roosters 28-18 at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon
‘It is a team that has armed itself with plasters, elastic bands. All good players, they have come from many different places. And beating the power of the Roosters is incredible. Congratulations to the Dolphins.’
Speaking on Fox League, Braith Anasta praised Bennett’s impact after the 73-year-old masterminded one of the biggest wins of his decorated career.
“Incredible performance from the new club and they have delivered on the biggest stage against one of the heavyweights in the competition,” he said.
“Bennett is one of the best coaches ever and he delivered again this afternoon.”
Cooper Cronk echoed the stance: ‘[You] I can’t do anything but take my hat off to what Wayne Bennett has done,” said the former Storm and Roosters star.
‘Go out here in Round 1 against one of the heavyweights […] You’ve had a lot of highlights throughout your coaching career, Wayne, but this has to be there.
Former New South Wales stalwart Michael Ennis was stunned by the Dolphins’ performance. ‘Incredible,’ he said. “Historic day at Suncorp for the Dolphins, to take down one of the true heavyweights.”
The crowd of 32,177 at Suncorp Stadium were expectant before kickoff about what might come next, but few would have predicted the upset that unfolded when the Bennett-led team held its own.
The Dolphins honored the spirit of Arthur Beetson in his debut game and made him proud.
Dolphins fullback Felise Kaufusi put on a terrific defensive display, changing the game and earning the Artie Legacy Medal as man of the match.
With his team trailing 12-6 just before halftime, Kaufusi pummeled former Storm teammate Brandon Smith in a shocking tackle, then repeated the dose on Egan Butcher to win possession. Prop Mark Nicholls scored and the Dolphins believed. They never looked back.
A second-half double by Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako after forward Connelly Lemuelu scored one of his own gave the Dolphins an incredible 28-12 lead after 56 minutes thanks to fierce defense.
Felise Kaufusi won the Artie Legacy Medal as man of the match in her Dolphins debut
One of the favorites of the presidency, the Gallos made a series of unusual mistakes.
The Dolphins proved that they would not be a pushover for any side in the NRL this year.
They went try-for-try with their most fancied opponents to go to halftime in 12 before putting foot down.
For decades, teams led by Bennett have been known for showing off their skill, defending like hell, and not giving up.
The essence of those qualities was on display, led by Kaufusi. Fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was electric on the ball and scored the new club’s first NRL try.
Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King set up both tries in the first half and played the best game of his career. Halves Isaiya Katoa and Sean O’Sullivan directed traffic and were integral to the win.
The Roosters were only to blame for their demise after a series of uncharacteristic mistakes.
Nothing went right for the visitors.
Smith had a head clash with teammate Egan Butcher early and was sent to an HIA, while Victor Radley suffered an accidental finger in the eye of Butcher and spent time out of the park in the first half.
The Roosters took the lead in the first half, but were ultimately overwhelmed by the Dolphins.
Mark Nicholls (No15) tied the Dolphins just before half-time with a brilliant try.
Radley left the field with a concussion in the second half, along with prop Matt Lodge, while Butcher was tagged out as the Dolphins went on a rampage.
The Roosters class had them on the board first when center Joseph Suaalii planted a Luke Keary bomb after Isaako fumbled.
Marshall-King split the Roosters in half from 60m to the outside and Tabuai-Fidow peeked around the inside to cross. It was a moment that lifted the whole side and gave them a feeling of an appointment with the expected destiny.
It was a moment to savor for Bennett, who also led the Brisbane Broncos to victory 35 years earlier in their debut game, over Manly.