Why Cowboys moved Valentine Holmes to the wing for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
After conceding 42 points in Round 8, the Cowboys have made the huge call to move star fullback Valentine Holmes to the wing for rookie sensation Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. FIND OUT WHY.
Cowboys
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cowboys. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Valentine Holmes has copped a “Hammer” blow with the star Cowboys recruit axed as fullback in favour of young gun Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow for North Queensland’s clash with the Sydney Roosters in Townsville on Thursday night.
In a sign no one is a selection untouchable at North Queensland, Cowboys coach Paul Green has relegated Origin and Test sensation Holmes to the wing – clearing the fullback path for the teenage whiz-kid known as Hammer.
Holmes was hailed as the fullback matchwinner who could propel the Cowboys back into title contention when he aborted his NFL dream and signed a mega $5 million deal in November to return to the NRL.
Kayo is your ticket to the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership. Every game of every round Live & On-Demand with no-ad breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
But after just six games in his preferred No.1 jumper, Holmes has been shunted to the flanks, with the exciting Tabuai-Fidow to oppose Roosters maestro James Tedesco in a thrilling backfield duel at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
The 18-year-old Tabuai-Fidow has played just three NRL games, but Green explained the positional move for Holmes, who is searching for peak form after injuring his ankle in last month’s loss to the Warriors.
Asked how Holmes received news of his axing as fullback, Green said: “He was pretty good.
“Given he is coming back from an ankle injury, he is not moving as freely as he was before the injury, so for this game, we thought it was the best way to go (with Tabuai-Fidow at fullback).
“Val has played some big games on the wing in State of Origin so that’s the thinking behind it.”
Holmes will replace former Queensland Origin flyer Justin O’Neill, who suffered concussion in last week’s 42-4 loss to the Eels, while rookie Connelly Lemuelu has been named at left centre after Tom Opacic injured his knee at training.
Tabuai-Fidow showed his blistering speed at this year’s NRL Nines tournament in February and he has looked comfortable since his top-grade debut last month, convincing Green he can handle the Roosters.
MORE NEWS
NRL 2020: Brisbane Broncos stick with struggling stars for Bulldogs clash
Kevin Walters won’t join coach Anthony Seibold at Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos players and staff turn to former coach Wayne Bennett
“Hamiso has done a really good job for us at the back when he has played fullback, he played in the Knights win, so just for this week it’s the best way to go,” he said.
“We have moved a very good player in Val to make way for him, that’s not saying he is a better player than Val by any stretch, but it is a big show of confidence in him as a player.
“He should take it that way and hopefully he takes that confidence into the game.”
Despite the Eels thrashing last week, Green is confident the Cowboys can hold their own against the back-to-back defending premiers.
“The Roosters and the Storm are the two sides who can maintain consistency for 80 minutes,” he said.
“When we get our best game on we can go with anyone, but when we aren’t at our best in games, there is a fair gap and that’s the consistency we are trying to get.”