NRL All Stars: Why Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was starstruck in Indigenous camp

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is one of rugby league’s biggest stars, but he was still humbled at the chance to meet one of his childhood heroes. Catch up on the latest from All Stars camp in Townsville.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow ahead of the 2024 Harvey Norman NRL All Stars game in Townsville. Picture: NRL Media.

Australian Kangaroos star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was pinching himself when he realised he was going to train under North Queensland legend Matt Bowen with the Indigenous All Stars team.

Both players were born in Cairns, began their NRL careers with the Cowboys and have gone on to represent Queensland and Australia.

Bowen is one of Indigenous All Stars head coach Ronald Griffiths’ assistants alongside Dave Elliott.

Tabuai-Fidow is still only 22 years old but has become one of the most recognisable players in the NRL due to his incredible speed and ability to float around the field as if he were running on air.

The Queensland Maroon has a knack for scoring great tries, but the same could be said about Bowen – who still holds the Cowboys’ all-time tryscoring record with 130 tries in 270 games.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow breaks away from the defence during the round 26 NRL match between Dolphins and North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium on August 25, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Tabuai-Fidow said he was awe-struck upon meeting his hero.

“I looked up to him growing up so just to be in the camp with him is pretty surreal,” Tabuai-Fidow said.

“Watching him growing up, he was one of my idols and just to be around him in camp and pick his brain and learn from him is pretty cool.”

‘The Hammer’ has both Samoan and Torres Strait Islander heritage, and Friday’s clash shapes as his second All Stars appearance.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow pictured at the 2022 Indigenous All Stars NRL Team training session at Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: Tim Hunter.

He said it was a special feeling to be selected for the match.

“To be in these camps, you do learn about your culture and you learn about the other boys’ culture as well,” Tabuai-Fidow said.

“Being a proud Indigenous man from up north in the Torres Strait, it’s a very proud moment for myself. I’m doing it for my family and I know they’ll be proud of me.

“My mum’s from the Torres Strait from an island called Saibai in the top western part of the Strait and my dad’s Samoan, so I’ve got a pretty good mix there.

“Having kids look up to me is pretty surreal but I just enjoy it every day.”

As well as learning from his childhood idol, the Dolphins fullback said he would relish the opportunity to play with and learn from Latrell Mitchell.

Latrell Mitchell of the Indigenous All Stars performs an Indigenous war dance ahead of the 2023 NRL All Stars match between Indigenous All Stars and Maori All Stars at Rotorua International Stadium on February 11, 2023 in Rotorua, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

“Latrell is a big one and I haven’t played with him yet so I’m excited to get through this week with him and to train and pick his brain as well,” Tabuai-Fidow said.

“He’s a fullback as well, his ball-playing skills are pretty good and just the way he competes, I want to see how he goes in training and how he prepares himself for this week.

“It’s obviously a big game for both cultures. We just want to get out there and have fun, the city will be buzzing.”

The NRL All Stars kick off on Friday afternoon at 3.30pm AEST with a mixed touch football game followed by the women at 4.50pm and the men at 7.10pm.

Tickets for NRL All Stars on Friday 16 February are available from nrl.com/tickets

Originally published as NRL All Stars: Why Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was starstruck in Indigenous camp