‘That challenge gets me excited’: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow on being considered for Maroons fullback role

Kalyn Ponga is the logical choice to play fullback for the Maroons, but Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is ready to make the No.1 jersey his own.

Dolphins speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow says he’s excited by the challenge of playing a new role for the Maroons after his named was mentioned as a potential bolter to fill in at fullback for the State of Origin opener later this month.

Reece Walsh’s knee injury is likely to keep him out of the game on May 28, with Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga the logical option to replace him.

But there’s a school of thought that the “Hammer” deserves first crack at the fullback role after finding form at the right time for his club, while he’s also excelled every time he’s put on the Queensland jersey.

Tabuai-Fidow has scored nine tries from seven Origin appearances at left centre, and he grabbed a hat-trick in last year’s series opener when he shifted to fullback to replace Walsh, who had been knocked out a by a Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii high shot.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored three tries in last year’s series opener when he was moved to fullback. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“The Origin arena is different to club footy, but I’m playing fullback week in, week out here at the Dolphins,” he told the NewsWire.

“The pressure that comes with it, I can live with that.

“Whatever Billy (Maroons coach Billy Slater) wants me to do, I’ll do. I don’t mind if it’s fullback or centre. I’m just concentrating on playing good footy and getting some wins here.

“That challenge gets me excited.

“Last year when Reece went off for the HIA, I ended up back there and I didn’t feel out of place at all. I just went out there and did my job.

“With me playing fullback here every week, I know the role and I’m pretty comfortable out there.”

Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has backed his flyer to handle the job if selected, with Tabuai-Fidow’s defence an underrated part of his game after he produced a stunning last-gasp tackle to deny the Eels a try on Thursday that would have tied things up.

Tabuai-Fidow has been in great club form ahead of the Origin opener. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

“He’d do a very good job, I’ve got no doubt about that at all,” Woolf said.

“He’s a big-game player and he showed that again tonight when we needed him.

“If he was picked to play No.1, I have no doubt he’d do a terrific job for Queensland. If he’s picked at centre, then he’d do the same job.”

Tabuai-Fidow’s speed makes him a constant threat on the edge, but his ability to turn half breaks into guaranteed tries is why Slater must consider the gifted athlete for fullback.

It’s a role he played for the Maroons under-18s back in 2019 when he had the No.1 on his back with Walsh kept on the bench.

“I’m sure he’d be able to handle it,” Dolphins five-eighth Kodi Nikorima said.

“He’s an incredible talent and a wonderful player. I’m sure wherever he does play, he’ll do a wonderful job for the Maroons.”

Originally published as ‘That challenge gets me excited’: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow on being considered for Maroons fullback role