Dolphins chief executive Terry Reader has declared his intent to make Isaiya Katoa a one-club player, as the side sets about avenging a horror start to the 2025 season.
The 21-year-old was the mastermind of his side’s shock demolition of the Melbourne Storm, coming up with three try assists and two try contributions, and registering 85 running metres and 430 kick metres, in Friday night’s 42-22 triumph.
Isaiya Katoa in action for the Dolphins.Credit: NRL Photos
Katoa is already contracted until the end of 2028, but Reader stressed he would remain the focal point of the Dolphins’ long-term planning – despite links between them and champion off-contract No.7 Daly Cherry-Evans.
“He’s one of the most exciting young players in the game. We’ve signed him through to ’28 and our club is going to be built around Izzy,” Reader said.
“I think it’s no secret, [coach] Kristian [Woolf] has had Izzy in the Tongan side, and he’s leading the Tongan team around as well, so we’ve got a lot of faith in him.
“No matter who comes to our club, he’s our halfback. You’ve heard our coach say that as well, and I think that’s a great show of confidence.”
Katoa’s halves partner, Kodi Nikorima, admits it did not take long for him to realise the rising star was going to become one of the game’s leading playmakers.
Nikorima said the youngster’s greatest asset – “how square he plays into the line” – had been crucial in elevating his and fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s threat level throughout the Dolphins’ three-game winning streak.
“I guess you could say he’s got the full package, but he’d just say he just wants to keep learning and taking it game by game. He’s got an old head on some young shoulders,” Nikorima said.
“He leads the team around, I get to play off the back of him. I guess my best asset is my running game and backing my own instincts … he allows us to play our game.”
Kodi Nikorima and Isaiya Katoa celebrate a try for the Dolphins.Credit: NRL Photos
Katoa will wait for the chance to take on the coach who gave him his NRL debut – Wayne Bennett – after their opening round clash against the Rabbitohs moved to Sydney due to Cyclone Alfred.
The Suncorp Stadium clash on June 28 will take place from 7.35pm, after the Broncos face the Warriors from 3pm. It will be a logistical challenge for Brisbane’s main football stadium.
Fans who purchased a ticket for the Broncos’ round 17 encounter will be required to leave – even if they are attending both matches – before reopening its doors, rather than a two-in-one ‘double header’ ticket to ensure both membership bases are accommodated.
Suncorp Stadium general manager Alan Graham said they had worked diligently with the clubs, police and transport to ensure fans, pedestrians and commuters could move around safely.
Labelling it “almost a second Magic Round”, in reference to next weekend’s festival of football, he said the event was a first for Queensland rugby league.
Reader said while the last-minute changes due to Cyclone Alfred impacted their campaign, it was not directly responsible for their 0-4 start to the year.
“It certainly had an impact, it’s not an excuse, but we had to move to Sydney when we were meant to be playing here, and if you remember our club had no power and the fields were flooded, so we headed to Newcastle early [for round two],” Reader said.
“Those first couple of weeks were quite disrupted, but the boys are back together now, they’re in the routine and there’s a lot more structure.”
The Dolphins joined the competition in 2023. On Wednesday, the ARL Commission gave in-principle agreement to the Perth-based Bears joining the NRL from 2027, while an as-yet unnamed Papua New Guinea team is expected from 2028.
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