NRL round 10: North Queensland Cowboys toppled by Penrith Panthers in gritty encounter

North Queensland Cowboys prodigy Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow secured his second NRL try on Sunday, and it was an instant classic.

North Queensland Cowboys prodigy Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow secured his second NRL try on Sunday, and it was an instant classic.

Rugby league prodigy Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has set an early contender for “try of the year” during the North Queensland Cowboys’ loss to the Penrith Panthers on Sunday.

Playing in just his fifth NRL match, Tabuai-Fidow stunned the Penrith crowd with a 55-metre solo effort to put his club on the board late in the first half.

After accepting an offload from teammate Reuben Cotter near the 50m line, Tabuai-Fidow evaded three Panthers defenders to find space on the left wing.

The 18-year-old then steamed through a gap before he palmed off a tackle from fullback Dylan Edwards.

Tabuai-Fidow then sprinted towards the corner flag to complete a stunning individual try — in total, there were six missed tackles in the classy run.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow breaks through the defence of Dylan Edwards.

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“Tabuai-Fidow! What an athlete! What a try!” cried Fox League commentator Brenton Speed.

“The individual try of the year perhaps from the young fullback.

“Amazing, didn’t look for any support, did he? He knew he could go the journey from 50 away.”

Balmain Tigers great Steve Roach elaborated: “Look at the footwork from this bloke, and the speed to get on the outside.

“What a great try.

“He’s going to be a superstar this bloke … write his name down.”

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. My God. I cannot wait to watch this bloke for the next decade if that's a snippet of what we're going to get. #NRLPanthersCowboys

— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) July 19, 2020

The first of many for THE HAMMER #NRLPanthersCowboys

— Jodan Perry (@Jodan_Perry) July 19, 2020

The Hammer!!!!! What a try. Game on! Terrific 1/2 of football from the Cowboys. #NRLPanthersCowboys @NRLonNine

— Peter Psaltis (@peterp79) July 19, 2020

Tabuai-Fidow showed his worth in the NRL last month, setting up two tries during his first grade debut against the New Zealand Warriors.

The speedy fullback also caught the attention of rugby league fans during February’s NRL Nines, where his ferocious pace was on display.

Although Tabuai-Fidow’s try was a match highlight, North Queensland still suffered an agonising twelve-point loss, the scoreline reading 22-10 when the final siren sounded.

The first half proved a gritty arm-wrestle for both sides, quality defence coming to fore — scores were tied at 4-4 at the halftime break.

But the Panthers mustered a trio of critical tries in the second quarter to take the lead, and a late surge from the Cowboys in the final five minutes wasn’t enough to close the gap.

Superstar playmaker Nathan Cleary was once again a standout performer for Penrith, contributing a linebreak, a try assist, 132 run metres and try of his own in the dying moments.

Nathan Cleary during Sunday’s clash in Penrith.

Speaking to Fox League after the match, Cleary admitted it was a “scrappy” performance, but was relieved to walk away with the two points.

Debutant Daejarn Asi was the Cowboys’ other tryscorer, diving over early in the second half.

Having secured their eighth win of the season, Penrith will claim top spot on the NRL ladder, while North Queensland remain in 12th position.

The Cowboys will host the Manly Sea Eagles for the round 11 clash next Friday, while the Panthers will travel to the Gold Coast to take on the Titans on Sunday.