DOLPHINS star Max Plath has revealed he was involved in some subterfuge to help protect teenager Brian Pouniu ahead of his NRL Suncorp Stadium debut on Friday.
The finals-bound Redcliffe side scored a 34-16 win over Parramatta with 18-year-old Pouniu elevated to the starting side an hour before kick-off after being named on the bench. Pouniu topped the Phins’ tackle count with 39, playing the full 80.
“They just named me at back row there just probably to ease the pressure on him a little bit, so they weren’t doing video against him,” Plath revealed on ABC.
“It was his second game of footy, first game at Suncorp.”
Plath is a Queensland Origin player while Pouniu has come up from State Cup this year – but there was no hurt pride on the part of the son of Broncos legend John Plath.
“I was so stoked for him, he’s got a bright future,” said Plath, 24.
“Mate, he’s an excellent player. He’s only 18 years old. I was so excited for him to play tonight.”
Discussing his own 58th-minute try, Plath said: “I just saw an opportunity there. I’m lucky enough to have such good players, they attract so much attention outside of me. I just tried to beat my man one-on-one and got over. “
The Dolphins are fourth on the table with 15 wins and seven losses and next Saturday face up to Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium
“We’re yet to put a full 80 minute performance in the last month of footy we’ve played,” Plath said.
