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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hammer time as Dolphins soar back into NRL top eight
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has delivered a fullback masterclass with a four-try haul in the Dolphins' 50-28 defeat of South Sydney. The No.1 ran amok in his 100th NRL game as the Dolphins reached 50 points for the third time in four games and consigned the Rabbitohs to a fifth straight loss. Halfback Isaiya Katoa had four try assists, while Tabuai-Fidow's display was timely on the day incumbent Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga was ruled out of next Wednesday's State of Origin decider with a foot injury. Tabuai-Fidow played wing in the Maroons' series-levelling victory but, after 11 tries in nine Origin games on the flanks, has done all he can to show coach Billy Slater he's ready to wear the No.1. The Hammer has 4️⃣ 🤩 #NRLDolphinsSouths — NRL (@NRL) June 28, 2025 Victory pushed the Dolphins (8-8) into the top eight but came at a cost, with Kodi Nikorima limping off with an apparent hamstring injury. The Rabbitohs, with Cody Walker and Campbell Graham back in the fold, started brilliantly when Latrell Mitchell sliced through and somehow offloaded for Jack Wighton's try. It was all the Dolphins after that, Jeremy Marshall-King raiding from dummy-half to score, then Katoa exploding through the line and producing a no-look assist for Tabuai-Fidow. The pair combined again in similar fashion, with only a desperate Jamie Humphries tripping up the Dolphins fullback as he pinned his ears back for the line. Herbie Farnworth had more joy, though, finding open space before Katoa floated a pass perfectly for Nikorima to score. Katoa tantalised again with a pinpoint pass that dragged the Rabbitohs' defensive line out of shape, Farnworth's quick offload setting up Jake Averillo. Nikorima limped off but the Dolphins weren't done, Averillo trickling a kick back in-field that was scooped up by Tabuai-Fidow to create a 30-6 halftime lead. The No.1 completed his hat-trick when he picked up another loose ball spilled in a marking contest to seemingly kill the contest with 30 minutes still on the clock. But Walker stepped through to create a try for Tallis Duncan and stop the rot, and the visitors had their tails up when that pair combined again to give the back-rower a double. Tabuai-Fidow settled it once and for all, stripping Davvy Moale on his own 30-metre line, darting sideways into space, then cruising uninterrupted for a fourth try. Wighton and Moale still had time for tries, while rookie Aublix Tawha was reported and earnt the ire of Mitchell after tackling him before he'd caught a high ball. The Dolphins had the final say, Kurt Donoghoe snatching a Humphries intercept as the Dolphins raised the bat again. Walker failed to finish the game for the Rabbitohs after picking up an apparent hamstring injury.
USA Today
an hour ago
- Sport
- USA Today
PFF inadvertently makes case for why 49ers should trade for former All-Pro CB
The San Francisco 49ers skewed younger with their offseason additions for their on-the-fly roster overhaul. Pro Football Focus inadvertently laid out the case for why the 49ers should abandon that trend to add a veteran former All-Pro at cornerback. In a piece highlighting 10 late-career veterans still playing at a high level, PFF's Ryan Smith took a look at how effective Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey still is at age 30. Via PFF: It's still unclear where Ramsey will be playing in 2025 (likely not with the Dolphins), but wherever it is, that team will be getting one of the most talented cornerbacks in the NFL. While he's no longer a top-five player at his position, Ramsey proved last year that he still has a lot left in the tank. He ranked 10th out of 116 qualifying cornerbacks in PFF overall grade (76.9), eighth in PFF run-defense grade (85.7) and 25th in PFF advanced coverage grade, allowing two touchdowns across 607 coverage snaps. Making this trade runs antithetical to the 49ers offseason plan where they shed big salaries for aging, declining players. Ramsey's situation is unique, though and the fact he's still playing like a top-10 player at his position makes him a potentially valuable addition for San Francisco in a trade with the Dolphins. If Ramsey can be had for a future late-round pick, the 49ers would shore up a secondary that suddenly has another question mark after Deommodore Lenoir's arrest in Southern California on Thursday. Lenoir is flanked by second-year CB Renardo Green, and a third CB who will have to win a starting job in training camp. Uncertainty in the secondary with a young, unproven defensive line is a recipe for disaster for the 49ers. Acquiring Ramsey could help their cornerback room without completely breaking the bank. Ramsey carries a $16.6 million cap hit in 2025. The 49ers have plenty of cap space to withstand such an add. Over the Cap has them with more than $45 million in room. If Ramsey's production rapidly declines in 2025, the 49ers can release him in 2026 with an $18.4 million cap hit and $6,656,000 in savings according to Spotrac. With relatively little dead money scheduled to be on the books, the risk of having to absorb the dead cap number is worth the potential reward of bringing a Pro Bowl-caliber CB into a young, unproven secondary. More 49ers: Analytics site not impressed by 49ers revamped defensive line
USA Today
2 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa faces massive pressure in 2025
Editor's note: This story is a part of a series by USA TODAY Sports called Project: June. We will publish at least one NFL-themed story every day throughout the month because fans know the league truly never sleeps. In many ways, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is a dream player. He's talented and tough. He's a strong leader. He's a good person. There are no issues off the field. He's thrown 73 touchdowns total over the last three seasons. Tagovailoa has done a solid job of being the face of a proud franchise trying to regain greatness it hasn't seen in decades. Offensive lineman Terron Armstead, who before going to Miami played with quarterback Drew Brees in New Orleans, said Tagovailoa and Brees have similar games. Armstead was, of course, careful to say that Tagovailoa has a lot more to prove. He made his comments on the "Rich Eisen Show." "I see similarities. I'm not saying they're the same player or same person, no two people are,' Armstead said. 'The anticipation, the accuracy, timing of throws, the ability to knock a wing off a fly repeatedly. Those guys throw darts. They don't throw to areas, they are very precise. And that's an elite talent, it's an elite trait. Very few people possess (it). He's one of them and Drew Brees is another." That's all the good part. And it's all quite good. The problem is that Tagovailoa hasn't broken through as an elite player. Lots of players aren't elite but Tagovailoa was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 draft. He's been injury prone, missing key games with a variety of ailments, most notably some frightening head injuries. Tagovailoa just hasn't broken through as a great player. A solid one. At times a really good one. But not a consistently great one. He's not alone. Look at some other quarterbacks in the league like Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence and the Chargers' Justin Herbert. But I have an obsession with Tagovailoa (a healthy one, promise) because he perfectly embodies all of the complexities of both the NFL overall and the quarterback position. He's been good, but not outstanding. He's had, at best, OK head coaches. Good receivers but one of them, Tyreek Hill, is a massive problem away from the field. Running game has had its moments. Same for the defense. But there's little that would cause you to look at the Dolphins and say: that team is on its way. They are extremely average and Tagovailoa hasn't been able to lift them above that mediocrity. All of this leads to a crucial juncture for him and the Dolphins. What will Miami do if Tagovailoa struggles in 2025? 'Yeah, he has narratives in front of him that have to be answered,' Armstead said. 'Not necessarily by me or in an interview form, it's from him, and his play, and getting the job done. Any quarterback or any team that (doesn't) hoist that trophy at the end of the year, you have questions, you have narratives, you have challenges, you have adversity, you have things to answer. Only team that don't really have that is Philly. Everybody else, they have their questions going into the season. Tua has his questions, and it's up to him to answer these questions — not me. 'Do I believe he can? I do. Do I believe he will? I do.' Coach Mike McDaniel spoke about the larger goals for Tagovailoa this coming season at one of the Dolphins' recent OTAs. 'He's the franchise quarterback of a team," said McDaniel. "His job is to lead men on each and every play, and find different ways to continue the process of evolution for him. That's always been the name of the game for him, whether that's getting the offense to the line of scrimmage faster out of the huddle or whether that's adjusting protections, doing sight adjustments, growing his game, working on progressions, escaping the pocket and getting rid of (the ball).' He added: 'All of the things a quarterback is asked to do, I think that's where he's at. He's dipped his toe in the water with everything, and now it's consistency and mastery. That's why it's a never-ending exercise.' More: Tyreek Hill says he doesn't deserve to be Dolphins captain, has to prove himself again McDaniel is saying exactly what I am except in a fancier, more coach-speak way. It's time for Tagovailoa to show true captaincy of the position. Miami has paid Tagovailoa well (and he's earned it). He'll make almost $150 million through 2026. The contract is costly but far from impossible to walk away from. Which makes this coming season for Tagovailoa and the Dolphins an interesting one to watch. All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dolphins player makes immediate switch to Roosters to make room for Cobbo
The Sydney Roosters have signed Dolphins winger Junior Tupou with immediate effect, paving the way for the Dolphins to potentially land Selwyn Cobbo before June 30. Tupou was initially named on the wing for the Dolphins' clash with South Sydney on Saturday night, but he was replaced by Max Feagai in the 24-hour update on Friday. The reason for Tupou's withdrawal has since been revealed, with the winger making an immediate transfer to the Roosters. The Dolphins' decision to part ways with Tupou is believed to be a move designed around freeing up salary cap space in case the Broncos decide to release Cobbo early. The Dolphins announced on Thursday they'd signed Cobbo for 2026, but the Queensland club remain hopeful of bringing him on board this season. Under NRL rules, player transfers are only allowed before June 30, meaning the Dolphins are cutting it fine. The Broncos are playing hard ball with Cobbo and refusing to let him leave early, with coach Michael Maguire believing he still has a key role to play in 2025 despite dumping him to reserve grade. Speaking on SEN radio on Thursday, former Broncos player Denan Kemp revealed he'd been informed there's only one club Brisbane wouldn't allow Cobbo to join this season - and it's the Dolphins. The Broncos and Dolphins are arch-rivals and both based in Brisbane, making it unlikely Maguire's side would be willing to help out their cross-town counterparts. "I got it on good authority that there was only one club the Broncos said 'you're not allowed to go to early'. And it was the Dolphins," Kemp reported. "They literally said there was only one club." RELATED: Reece Walsh in State of Origin twist after Kalyn Ponga blow Ricky Stuart reveals stunning news about NRL star and wife Matty Johns said he wouldn't be letting Cobbo walk early either. "It's good to see that rivalry," Johns said. "If I'm Madge (Michael Maguire), I wouldn't let Selwyn go early either. At the end of the day, they've got Reece (Walsh) on one need to have depth in your squad. You can't just let quality players walk out the door." Tupou's move to the Roosters is a curious one considering a wing spot just opened up at the Dolphins with Jack Bostock suffering a season-ending ACL injury. Tupou has played 37 NRL games across stints with the Wests Tigers and Dolphins, and will take the roster spot vacated by Dom Young's move from the Roosters to Newcastle. But even with Young's departure, Tupou will still struggle to crack the Roosters' first-grade team. Mark Nawaqanitawase and Daniel Tupou have cemented themselves as the wingers, with Billy Smith and Robert Toia in the centres. Tupou might be used in Round 18 when the Roosters take on the Tigers, with Toia set to be in State of Origin camp with Queensland.
ABC News
9 hours ago
- Sport
- ABC News
NRL live updates: Broncos vs Warriors, Dragons vs Eels, Dolphins vs Rabbitohs — blog, scores and stats
Brisbane is showing glimpses of its very best following two impressive wins, but faces a stern test against the Warriors, who are hunting redemption following last week's loss. Later, St George Illawarra Dragons will host the Parramatta Eels, then the Dolphins host the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Follow the live blog below, keep up to date with all the latest stats in our ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage.
