Dolphins to use Ricky Stuart template and bash Broncos
The Dolphins are looking for an injection of old-fashioned forward bash and barge as they aim to copy Canberra's blueprint and overwhelm derby opponents Brisbane.
It will be mate against mate when the former NSW big men in Dolphins prop Daniel Saifiti and Broncos counterpart Payne Haas wrangle.
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf is seeking his first win as head coach and his best forward so far this season has been former Newcastle front-rower Saifiti.
Saifiti was the only forward to run for over 100 metres in the disappointing 30-18 loss to Wests Tigers on Saturday.
He said the Raiders' 32-22 win over Brisbane in round two, masterminded by coach Ricky Stuart, was a guide on how to get the better of Pat Carrigan, Haas and company.
On that night Raiders props Corey Horsburgh and Josh Papalii took the Broncos pack on and the rest of the forwards joined in the feeding frenzy to inflict the Broncos' only loss this season.
"Yeah, we did a lot of video on that game, and they're a tough pack Canberra and sort of ambushed them with that herd mentality," Saifiti said.
"That's something we can definitely take a lot of points from, but they've got a different pack than us.
"We can add our own spin to it and do it together. I think everyone, no matter if it's forwards or backs, we've got to play together and take confidence from that."
Saifiti is also ready to take on his old Blues buddy Haas. All will be fair in love and war in a battle for the ages.
"It's a good challenge. Payno's a good mate of mine and I always enjoy playing against him," Saifiti said.
"It's all love, but for that 80 minutes we'll be trying to lead our teams. We will shake hands and hug after the game."
The Broncos are a physical pack with size and athleticism and will take some stopping.
"They're one of those teams where if you let them get the jump on you they'll run riot like we saw against the Roosters (in round one)," Saifiti said.
"Canberra showed you the blueprint. They're a tough team. We've just got to focus on ourselves."
After an 0-3 start to the season, the Dolphins have been written off in some quarters already but Saifiti said it was not all doom and gloom.
"If the whole season was a marathon of 42km we're only five or six km into it," he said.
"Instead of getting down in the dumps and feeling sorry for ourselves, we've got to attack it.
"I think this Battle of Brisbane has come at a perfect time. Our backs are against the wall and we've just got to go after it."
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