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Sport
Joel Gould

Don't change, Bennett tells hitman Kaufusi on return

Dolphins second-rower Felise Kaufusi (centre) returns from a four-match ban to face the Titans. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Wayne Bennett doesn't want hitman Felise Kaufusi to change his aggressive style when he returns from suspension against Gold Coast.

The Dolphins coach just needs the second-rower to be "on time" with his tackles.

Kaufusi asserted himself as the Dolphins' spiritual leader in the opening rounds of the NRL season, his ferocious hits winning crucial turnovers and helping his side to a three-win start.

A late hit on Newcastle's Jackson Hastings in round three resulted in a four-week ban, with Kaufusi back to add starch to the Dolphins pack against the Titans on Sunday at Suncorp Stadium.

Bennett's old Broncos teams had some of the game's great defensive wallopers such as Trevor Gillmeister, Peter Ryan and Tonie Carroll, who struck fear into opponents just by being on the team sheet.

Kaufusi is no different.

So what does Bennett tell his enforcers when they come back from suspension?

"I don't tell them anything," the veteran coach said.

"(Kaufusi) is a very experienced player and knows the difference between late tackles and tackles on time.

"I don't want to take that (aggression) out of his game. He's just got to make sure it is on time.

"He gave me a lift with a few of those hits he put on. I am pleased to have him back and he is pleased to be back.

"Kaufusi is Kaufusi. He is not somebody else. We all love having those guys in the team but they have got to play within the boundaries and the rules.

"He does that pretty well. When you make those tackles there will be that odd occasion where they do go a bit wrong. We understand that."

Bennett also confirmed the Dolphins had tabled an offer to playmaker Jack Wighton, who is considering moving on from Canberra from next season.

Bennett met with Wighton on Thursday in Brisbane before the player travelled to Sydney to meet South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou.

"I like what he brings. He is on the market. We will see what happens," Bennett said.

"He controls his own destiny. He is talking to a couple of clubs and will make his own decision.

"Jack Wighton is one of those guys who could play anywhere ... from one to 13."

The coach wasn't pleased with the Jekyll and Hyde nature of his team's performance in the 36-14 loss to South Sydney last week, in which they were outstanding early and led 14-6 before falling away.

"Our second halves haven't been our best half the last couple of weeks," he said.

"We've addressed that this week and hopefully we get the improvement."

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