Dolphins supporters may have to wait until after the World Cup or grand final to learn whether their star pairing will remain together beyond 2027.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has instructed his management to delay discussions, while Herbie Farnworth has repeatedly offered the answer, "After the World Cup," when asked about his future.
Both players are contracted for next season and 2027, but their possible availability from 2028 remains a major concern for the club.
The Dolphins face Sydney Roosters in a sold-out preliminary final on Friday, after Tabuai-Fidow and Farnworth helped defeat New Zealand 26-16 in Auckland.
Their combination was illustrated by a try involving a break, a jink and an inside pass before Tabuai-Fidow finished one-handed.
"It is something we work on a lot me and Hammer, to follow each other and especially if there is a little bit of space," Farnworth said.
Farnworth has made 161 tackle breaks and 75 offloads this season, while Tabuai-Fidow has scored 66 tries in 77 Dolphins appearances.
"It is either him making the break or I am. It is something cool we have connected with on the field and we do it at training too. It is not new. It is still building," Tabuai-Fidow said.
Farnworth joined from Brisbane after the 2023 grand-final defeat, believing the Dolphins offered a stronger development path alongside young talent and experienced leaders.
Tabuai-Fidow left North Queensland after Scott Drinkwater stood between him and the fullback role, then scored the Dolphins' first try in their inaugural 28-18 victory over the Roosters.
"The club has been good to me and I am loving it down here. With what we are building here, we can do something special," Tabuai-Fidow said.
"I don't want to leave."
He also backed Farnworth, whom he considers the world's best centre, to stay.