Wayne Bennett has given Dolphins cult hero Valynce Te Whare a huge vote of confidence ahead of the showdown with Brisbane at the Gabba.
The 22-year-old former rugby union star has retained his place for Saturday night despite last weekend's 48-20 loss to Parramatta, with electric fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow replacing out-of-form Euan Aitken alongside Te Whare in the centres.
Te Whare, who scored two tries on his debut in the 36-16 win over Cronulla in round 10, has played five NRL games, lining up at centre, lock and off the interchange bench.
The rugby league newcomer has missed just one tackle in his past four games and in a poor team display he ran for a career-high 142 metres against the Eels, as well as scoring a try.
The New Zealand-born behemoth, nicknamed 'Val Meninga' for his blockbusting ways, is already a firm fan-favourite.
He is fast developing similar feelings from his coach.
"Val has done a really good job actually. He can do better yet but he's learning," Bennett said.
"Rugby league is not his game. Rugby union was his game but he's done a really good job with himself the last 18 months to come here and make the transition.
"I just like what he brings. The players like playing with him."
Explaining his decision to move Kodi Nikorima to fullback and switch Tabuai-Fidow to centre, Bennett said: "We just need to be a bit better than we have been in the centres and Euan is a bit out of form.
"I had to do something and Hammer has done a great job for Queensland in the centres.
"Kodi was tremendous for us for a couple of weeks when Hammer didn't play so it will work for us."
The Dolphins will welcome back hooker Jeremy Marshall-King from a shoulder injury.
"He's been in our top three players all season," Bennett said of the 27-year-old New Zealand international.
"We haven't had him for the last month so it is good to have him back."
The Dolphins have lost their last three games to slip out of the top eight and need to return to the style of football that had them in the joint lead earlier this season.
"We are aiming to get ourselves back into that place," Bennett said.
"Maybe the expectations have got to them a little bit.
"The second half against Parramatta was pretty good for us and we just want them to take that into this game and we will be back on track."
