'Val Meninga' closer to Dolphins debut with Lee on ice

Known as 'Val Meninga', Dolphins fan favourite Valynce Te Whare is a chance of making his NRL debut against Cronulla and showcasing what his nickname is all about.

A hamstring injury to Dolphins centre Brenko Lee in last weekend's 31-30 loss to Canberra has opened the door for Te Whare to potentially get his shot at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

The 22-year-old trained at right centre on Tuesday while Lee sat out. Lee has been named but Te Whare is in the 21 and is ready to slot in.

The 108kg centre grew up playing rugby union in New Zealand and had not turned out in competitive rugby league until a breakout season in the Queensland Cup last year, when he was also a groundsman at Redcliffe's Kayo Stadium.

He'd trim the grass during the week and wreak havoc on the weekends on his way to 12 blockbusting tries in 14 games, earning that 'Val Meninga' sobriquet.

He told Channel Nine before the 2022 Queensland Cup grand final about his foray into a sport that was something of a mystery to him until last year.

"I knew about it but I didn't know how to play it," he said.

"I just knew that you had to run hard and play the ball … and you get six tackles."

His form last season earned him a spot on the Dolphins' top-30 squad.

Dolphins forward Connelly Lemuelu played down the congratulatory cheers for Te Whare at training on Tuesday.

"He caught his first fish on the weekend so everyone was giving him a bit of (praise) for that," Lemuelu said.

"He is definitely an option. (Lee) is on ice with his hammy. We are hoping he pulls up alright.

"If (Te Whare) does get his chance we know he will go out there and do the job for us. He is quick for a bigger guy so we will see how he goes."

If Te Whare does play he will be marking Cronulla centre Siosifa Talakai in what would be a confrontation of two powerhouse centres.

The Dolphins have been boosted by the return of winger Tesi Niu and playmaker Anthony Milford.

Niu returns after five weeks out with a hamstring injury and takes the place of Robert Jennings. Milford, who missed four rounds with his own hamstring problems, has been named on the bench.