Origin 2021: Cowboys teenager Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in contention for a shock Maroons debut

The Maroons were blown off the park by NSW’s speed in Origin I, but Queensland are ready to fight fire with fire by potentially selecting one of the fastest men in rugby league.

North Queensland Cowboys against Gold Coast Titans at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Cowboys Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. Picture: Evan Morgan

It could be Hammer time for the Maroons.

Queensland coach Paul Green is considering rolling the dice with Cowboys young gun Hamiso ‘Hammer’ Tabuai-Fidow - one of the fastest men in the NRL - in the frame for a shock debut in Origin II.

Maroons selectors are mulling over a centre to potentially replace Kurt Capewell and Tabuai-Fidow, Cronulla veteran Will Chambers and Parramatta’s Tom Opacic are contenders for Game Two at Suncorp Stadium next Sunday night.

Stream selected Fox League shows on Kayo Freebies completely free this June including NRL 360, Sunday Night with Matty Johns, Big League Wrap & more. No Credit Card. No Brainer. Register Free Now >

Paul Green says Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will play Origin at some stage.

NSW centre Tom Trbojevic carved up the Maroons with his speed in Queensland’s 50-6 thumping in Origin I and Green is exploring whether he needs more pace out wide to combat the Blues’ lethal back five.

That opens the door for the exciting Tabuai-Fidow, the 19-year-old Cowboys speedster who claims he has been clocked at 10.85 seconds in a 100-metre sprint race.

While blooding ‘HTF’ in Origin could be seen as a risk, the teenager has scored 11 tries in 22 games since his NRL debut last year, including a freakish long-range effort against the Wests Tigers to inspire a 34-30 win in round five.

Tabuai-Fidow suffered a head knock in his side’s 26-24 loss to the Sharks on Friday night, but his name will be discussed by Queensland chiefs at their selection meeting on Sunday night.

“Hamiso will play Origin at some stage,” Green said.

“I think he is talented enough, I’m just not sure whether now is the right time, but he is one guy I’m certainly keeping an eye on.”

Tom Opacic has impressed with his form for the Eels.

The rangy Cairns flyer made a stunning entry to the big league at the NRL Nines in Perth last year, playing a starring role in the Cowboys’ tournament victory.

While Tabuai-Fidow has blistering speed off the mark and great awareness, there are concerns he could be exposed by the Blues in defence in the game’s toughest arena.

But Green is excited by the X-factor Tabuai-Fidow could bring to Queensland’s backline.

“He is one of those guys in the NRL who can do something out of nothing,” said former Cowboys coach Green, who gave HTF his NRL debut.

“That‘s what speed gives you. You can’t coach it.

“When other guys get tackled, Hamiso finds the space.

Will Chambers is being considered to make a shock return to the Origin arena.

“We saw him in the NRL Nines, we unleashed him over there in Perth and he was electric.

“I know Nines football is a totally different thing, but as a young bloke then, he took a step up and having played a couple of seasons of NRL, Origin is the next step up.”

The Maroons will also consider Chambers, who has played 13 games for Queensland and is a proven performer at Origin level.

There is a view that Chambers, at age 33, is past his best, but Green likes the former Storm star‘s in-your-face style and willingness to get under NSW’s skin.

Opacic has been excellent for the Eels this season, scoring five tries from 14 games, and is a solid defensive centre, but Tabuai-Fidow is ahead of him in the Maroons pecking order.