Achi news desk-
The Dolphins’ impressive halfback, Isaiya Katoa, wants to keep his shirt for the long term and that desire is about to be rewarded by the club with a contract extension.
The 20-year-old was left out of the side for round one of the NRL but returned in round two with a masterclass display to inspire a 38-0 win over St George Illawarra.
He will play No.7 against the Gold Coast on Saturday as a man earmarked by the Dolphins to lead them into the future.
Katoa is under contract until the end of 2025 but club CEO Terry Reader confirmed the Dolphins’ intention to wrap up the Tongan international and keep him off the market.
“The club is in the advanced stages of a contract extension,” Reader told AAP.
“Isaiya is a great player and a wonderful young man. For a young man who played first grade out of school, there is no second guessing him. He is a gentleman and we want to keep him in the season long.”
After leading the side to victory over the Dragons, Katoa said he “definitely” wanted to keep his shirt after edging out Sean O’Sullivan for the position.
“Being a competitor, I’d be silly to say no,” Katoa said.
“It’s great that the competition is halves. We get along and whoever is chosen there is no bad blood between us.
“It was a huge step (against the Dragons) but I’m not going to dwell on it and pat myself on the back. I’m going back to the drawing board to focus on what works for me and what I can improve. It’s not about cheering myself on. One win doesn’t do anything for us.”
Katoa played 20 NRL games in his rookie season last year, mostly at No.6, but his game-management skills are highly regarded by his teammates at fullback.
“The boys love him. When he is in the team there is more control and we can play off him,” said fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
“His kicking game is straight forward too.”
Katoa has been working with sports performance psychologist Phil Jaucey and applying his wisdom.
“As a team, we talk to Phil Jaucey about not being passive and waiting for the game or waiting for a teammate to do something,” he said.
“It’s about attacking it and not being afraid to get dirty, whether that’s making the first contact or getting a touch early. For me, that first five minutes sets the stage.”
Coach Wayne Bennett has told his players to “perform or perish” this year and Katoa has embraced it.
“He has been quite ruthless with us in making sure we perform,” he said.
“If we don’t he’s not going to reward us, but he didn’t put any pressure on me. He wanted me to take control of the team, be defended properly and kick well.”
