Samoa sets sights on Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow for international defection from Kangaroos
With Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui already targeted for international defections, Samoa has turned its attention to another Queensland star who is contemplating an allegiance switch from the Kangaroos.
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Dolphins flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is the latest Kangaroos star that Samoa has set its sights on as the NRL’s eligibility tug of war intensified.
Tabuai-Fidow has confirmed he is weighing up a switch to the Pacific nation if he falls out of selection favour with Australia coach Mal Meninga.
The Kangaroos were last week rocked by reports Origin stars Payne Haas (Broncos) and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Titans) were considering defecting to the tier-two Test nation.
Haas and Fa’asuamaleaui are walk-up selections for the Kangaroos when fit and would be guaranteed spots for the end-of-year Ashes tour of England.
Now incumbent Kangaroos centre ‘Hammer’ could be coaxed into switching back to the Samoa team he made his international debut for in 2022.
Tabuai-Fidow, 23, is believed to be keen to remain with the Kangaroos, but admitted playing for a stacked Samoa team was tempting.
“My mum is Torres Strait Islander and my dad is Samoan,” he said.
“It’s a cool thing to run out with the flags on and represent them.
“They’ve been a big part of my life. To have those two cultures is pretty special.
“I’m not too sure (what I’m going to do). I just want to play my best footy throughout this season, especially after the last four weeks (Dolphins lost opening four games).
“I’m not thinking too much about the end of the year. I just want to play good footy and we’ll see what happens from there.”
Samoa coach Ben Gardiner has been aggressively recruiting big-name NRL stars, much like when Tonga landed Jason Taumalolo from New Zealand in 2017.
Tabuai-Fidow’s former Cowboys teammates Jeremiah Nanai and Murray Taulagi have been playing for Samoa while Haas and Fa’asuamaleaui would be world class additions.
Tabuai-Fidow said he had a yearning to represent his father’s heritage, but wanted to remain respectful to Meninga and the Kangaroos.
“A big part of it is representing my dad’s side,” he said.
“I know I’ve already done it once but it’d be pretty special to do it again.
“I played up north with them (Nanai and Taulagi) and they’re two blokes that I get along well with.
“It’s a pretty cool thing to do, especially for a nation like Samoa. It’s pretty cool how many Samoans play in the NRL.
“If they get the crew together it’ll be a pretty special team.
“I know all the boys will put their hands up to go back and play. It’d be a pretty special team to have if they pull it together.
“That’s the big thing, showing that respect (to the Kangaroos).
“Wherever the boys want to play and their heart is, that’s on them and pretty special to have.
“Wherever your heart is and wherever you play is a cool thing.”
While he plays fullback in the NRL, Tabuai-Fidow has found a home at centre in the representative arena.
He debuted for the Kangaroos in the 2023 Pacific Championships and featured in the tournament for Australia again last year.
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