Having successfully put to bed any concerns about his hamstring injury, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is hoping his old Cowboys connections have him in good stead for another positional switch in Origin.
With Reece Walsh in the box seat to take his place at fullback, the Dolphins gun is ready to play at left centre if given the call-up from coach Billy Slater, where he could play alongside familiar faces Murray Taulagi and Tom Dearden.
Prior to his move to the Dolphins in 2023, Tabuai-Fidow played 50 games for the Cowboys, many of those alongside Taulagi and Dearden, who is firming as a late inclusion for Queensland following an injury to star five-eighth Cameron Munster.
“I debuted at centre so I'm pretty comfortable with that position at that level," Tabuai-Fidow said after his double against Wests Tigers to close out Magic Round.
“I've played my last three [Origin] games at centre, so I'm pretty comfortable and pretty confident in playing at centre.
“It's obviously more defending than it is at fullback, but I don't mind that side of the game.
Wests Tigers v Dolphins – Round 11, 2024
“I've played with Tommy Dearden at centre too, so we all know what he can do. He works hard and he's a good attacking player too. Murray plays the same side as him, so obviously that will give him confidence as well.
“They play together week-in, week-out so if he does come into the team, I think he'll do a really good job for us. Whoever Billy picks, I think will be pretty sweet.
Back to "100 percent" fitness after helping his side to a 24-12 win, Tabuai-Fidow praised the efforts of fill-in fullback Trai Fuller, who starred during the Hammer's stint on the sidelines and is set to once again step up during the Origin period.
“I take my hat off to him, he came out of the blocks when I did get injured and went out there and performed really well,” Tabuai-Fidow said.
“He was really good for us and sort of put a little bit of pressure on me, just thinking to myself about it. He's a freaky little player so he obviously can do the job at this level.
“I think that the boys are pretty confident with him coming back, he has shown us what he can do out there and the boys have trust in him.
“The confidence he comes out and plays out there, it's good for the team and just the depth we have in the team is really good as well.”
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Before entering back into the Origin frame, Tabuai-Fidow and the Dolphins face a tricky trip across the ditch to take on a Warriors side full of confidence after their shock win of defending premiers Penrith.
Yet the prospect of a third straight Origin series win – something not done by the Maroons since Slater was playing at fullback in 2015-17 – had certainly caught the eye of the talented outside back.
“I'm pretty keen to see how the team turns out," Tabuai-Fidow said.
"Obviously we have big names out, but whoever's going to put it on the jersey, I know is going to put 100 per cent into it as well.
“To win three series in a row will be good, good for us and good for the state as well. I think we're all excited to get back in that arena and hopefully go put on a good performance.”
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