Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow turns up heat on Broncos whizkid Reece Walsh in battle for Origin jumpers

Dolphins speed machine Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is in sizzling form. But will it be enough to secure a spot in the starting line-up for the Maroons?

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is well and truly on the Origin radar. Picture: Getty Images

Queensland coach Billy Slater says Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is on his selection radar as the Dolphins sensation braces for a blockbusting Origin-style showdown with Souths superstar Latrell Mitchell.

Tabuai-Fidow is the Dolphins’ man-of-the-moment and the ‘Hammer’ can enhance his Origin prospects with another barnstorming display in Thursday night’s clash against South Sydney at Suncorp Stadium.

The Dolphins speed machine is in sizzling form – he is the NRL’s equal top tryscorer with eight after six rounds – but a fullback battle with NSW Origin champion Mitchell represents one of the biggest tests of his career.

Tabuai-Fidow continued his outstanding start to 2023 with two tries to sink his former club the Cowboys last week and Slater confirmed the Dolphins dynamo is in the mix for the Origin series opener in Adelaide on May 31.

“I have really enjoyed watching Hammer, he has been fantastic for the Dolphins,” Slater said.

“It’s not just the tries he is scoring, it’s his influence in defence and the decisions he makes and they are the habits I watch ... how consistent guys are in those areas.

“There’s a number of young Queensland guys who have jumped out over the pre-season trials and now into the early rounds of the season and Hammer is one of those.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is in sizzling form. Picture: Getty Images

“He would have been hurting last year at the Cowboys. I had no doubt Hammer was going to try and prove a point that he belonged in that (fullback) position in the NRL and he has done that with the Dolphins.

“In the past, Hammer could have been guilty of letting the game come to him but he is now going to the game and impacting it.

“It’s been great to see.”

Aside from eight tries this season, Tabuai-Fidow has four line breaks, two try assists, 28 tackle busts and has run for a whopping 938 metres at an average of 156m per game.

The 21-year played his one and only Origin game in 2021, scoring a try on debut to help Queensland to a 20-18 win in the Game Three dead rubber, but he was overlooked last year after suffering injury on the eve of the series.

That opened the door for former Cowboys teammate Valentine Holmes and Dane Gagai to start in the centres, while Xavier Coates, Corey Oates and Murray Taulagi had stints on the Maroons’ flanks.

But with fullback Kalyn Ponga (head knocks) in doubt and Oates (broken jaw) and Taulagi (knee) suffering recent injuries, the Hammer is a genuine backline contender.

The versatile Tabuai-Fidow is capable of playing fullback, wing or centre and says he is itching to reclaim his Queensland jumper. A superb display against Souths magician Mitchell at Suncorp would be a fair statement.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is the NRL’s equal top tryscorer. Picture: Getty Images

“I sat down with some goals this year and I thought, ‘I do want to get an Origin jersey this year’,” Tabuai-Fidow said.

“I had time in the Queensland camp last year and just being in the camp around those calibre of players was really good for my development.

“If I do get the call up this season, I will play good footy.

“Even if I don’t get picked in the starting side, just being part of the Maroons’ camp is special.

“Whatever Billy thinks, I’ll support it. Hopefully he looks at me for fullback or centre, they are the positions I’m best at, but I’ll always do whatever is needed for the Queensland team.”