By Nick Wright
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has issued Maroons’ hierarchy a message: he is ready to assume the Queensland No.1 jumper if needed.
The Dolphins star burst to life with one of the finest tries of the season to deliver his side a thrilling 30-28 triumph of Cronulla, shocking the competition high-flyers on their home turf.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in full flight for the Dolphins against the Cronulla Sharks.Credit: NRL Photos
“The Hammer” had been kept quiet for much of the contest, but showcased his game-breaking potential to field a deep bomb, before weaving through defenders to streak the length of the field.
He went on to finish with 251 metres and 10 tackle busts.
The 22-year-old’s hat-trick in the State of Origin series opener proved he could handle the job for Queensland, after Reece Walsh was forced from the field.
While the latter is expected to have recovered in time for Game II, Tabuai-Fidow looms as the perfect replacement.
Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett said: “I’ll never forget this one. Steve Renouf … and Hammer would be the two players I would think I have coached that just have that absolute magic to create that moment.”
Stand-in captain Kodi Nikorima added: “Only Hammer can do that.”
Rookie outguns under pressure Blues star
Isaiya Katoa may have prevailed in his halfback shootout with Cronulla rival Nicho Hynes, but the Dolphins star has revealed he harboured no desire to rush into a challenge for the former Dally M Medal winner’s New South Wales job.
Isaiya Katoa pulled the strings for the Dolphins against the Cronulla Sharks.Credit: NRL Photos
The 20-year-old’s combination with five-eighth Kodi Nikorima, linking up on either side of the field, played a role in three of the Dolphins’ first four tries – all within 15 mintues – through Herbie Farnworth, Jack Bostock and Jake Averillo.
It was also the Tongan international’s pinpoint bomb that forced a repeat set which led to Max Plath opening the scoring, leading to an early 22-0 lead.
“He gives me that much confidence. I think what we do for each other is try to play to each other’s strengths,” Katoa said of Nikorima.
“I think with the No. 7 jersey, it comes with the role of organising and controlling a team, and that’s something I’ve been working on over the pre-season.
“With Kodi, he allows me to do that.”
Katoa, supported by the Dolphins making just two errors, finished with 600 kick metres. He found space in the Sharks’ back three to pin the hosts deep down their own end, before Briton Nikora and Sione Katoa’s heroic last-minute connection threatened to send the clash into golden point.
By contrast, Hynes was outplayed in what served as his final audition to impress upon Blues coach Michael Maguire he deserved a second chance at his state’s scrum base.
The 27-year-old set-up Hunt for his side’s first try, he threw a forward pass, conceded the penalty that got the Dolphins a converted try ahead, and was unable to ice the final sideline conversion.
Nicho Hynes cuts a dejected figure after missing a sideline conversion in the Cronulla Sharks loss to the Dolphins.Credit: NRL photos
But Katoa was quick to rule himself out of Blues contention for now, despite some talk before the series he could be a shock smokey amid Nathan Cleary’s injury setback.
“At the moment, my sole focus is on the Dolphins, and then Tonga at the end of the year,” he said.
Tevita return nears
One week after inking a short-term contract at the Dolphins, Tevita Pangai Junior is set to announce his NRL comeback against the Melbourne Storm.
And given the way Cronulla’s bench looked to get them back into the contest, the returning forward’s impact could come at a crucial time for the NRL’s newest outfit.
While Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi wound back the clock with key performances as the starting props, the Dolphins’ reinforcements were unable to keep the Sharks from wrestling back momentum.
Felise Kaufusi in action for the Dolphins against the Cronulla Sharks.Credit: NRL Photos
For the second week in a row, Hunt’s first stint resulted in his side scoring 18 unanswered points, crossing for a try of his own while running for 74 metres and two tackle busts in a 28-minute stint.
Braden Hamlin-Uele (59 metres from four carries), Tom Hazelton (96 metres) and Jack Williams (76 metres) were also impressive.
Pangai Junior is a wildcard, but the one-time Blues enforcer packs a punch and comes with a strong offloading game that could provide the Dolphins the spark off the bench needed to offset their worrying injury toll.
Royce Hunt inspired a fightback for the Cronulla Sharks against the Dolphins.Credit: NRL Photos
Captain Jesse Bromwich (rib injury) added to a casualty ward that includes Tom Gilbert (ACL rupture) and Thomas Flegler (shoulder), whose nerve damage has left his career in limbo – although Bennett was confident he would not require nerve transplant surgery.
“It’s a situation where we don’t know if he’ll play again, or when he’ll play. There are so many unanswered questions out there right now,” Bennett said.
“It’s nowhere near being able to play and nowhere near being able to tell what his future looks like.”
Just sign the dotted line
Jeremy Marshall-King may not have been the man to hit the highlights reel against the Sharks, but he will be a crucial piece of the Dolphins’ long-term plans if they manage to extend his services.
The Kiwi hooker has been a defensive workhorse for his side, coming up with 38 tackles against a Cronulla pack who were out to hunt the smaller defenders.
While he had only four runs, two finished with offloads and his quick play the ball on another gave Katoa the time to force a dropout in the lead-up to the first try.
Jeremy Marshall-King will be a crucial piece for the Dolphins’ retention puzzle.Credit: NRL Photos
Reports have suggested Marshall-King, who comes off contract at the end of 2025, will be a man in high demand once he can negotiate with rivals from November 1, and the Dolphins are reportedly deep into negotiations to extend him and keep their in-sync spine together.
“I had a word with him the other day. I was like, ‘Mate … if you don’t sign the contract …’. I was just telling him to hurry up and sign it,” Katoa said.
“He does so much work, not only for the middle but also for us halves to play off the back of.”