Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow the latest NRL star linked to Samoan international defection
One of Australia’s most exciting NRL stars is rumoured to be considering switching international allegiances, the latest in a wave of defections.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Dolphins livewire Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is reportedly considering changing his international allegiance from Australia to Samoa, handing Australian coach Mal Meninga a massive dilemma.
Tabuai-Fidow represented Samoa in 2022 at the Rugby League World Cup before being selected for Australia the following year.
Since then he has played six Tests for the green and gold in 2023 and 2024 but says he will consider making himself available for Samoan selection if he misses out on the Kangaroos squad at the end of 2025.
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE in 4K with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.
After his press conference on Tuesday, the fullback confirmed he would love to one day represent Samoa again, the country of his father’s birth.
“Just to be part of it and represent my dad’s side. I know I have already done it once but it would be pretty special to do it again in the near future,” he said.
“My mum is a Torres Strait Islander and my dad is Samoan so it is pretty cool to run on representing them. It is a big part of my life and to have those two cultures is special.”
But Tabuai-Fidow admitted he wasn’t yet sure which nation he would represent at the end of this year, but said it ultimately may not be up to him.
“I am not too sure yet. I am just going to try and play my best footy throughout this season,” he said.
“Going off the last four weeks I need to come out of my shell. I am not thinking too much about the end of the year. I just want to play good footy and see what happens from there.”
To begin the 2025 NRL season, the man affectionally known as ‘Hammer’ has struggled to make much of an impact as the Dolphins started the season 0-4.
However, he put in an improved showing last week as the Redcliffe side registered their first win of the season, a 36-10 drubbing of the Titans on Saturday.
Yet with so much backline talent at the disposal of Meninga, Tabuai-Fidow is far from certain to be included in the Kangaroos squad.
And after Hammer admitted he would “love to play” for Samoa again, Meninga has a tough call to make come the end of the year when Australia tour England.
But the reality for Meninga is there is a real possibility Tabuai-Fidow, Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui all may be in a Samoan jersey by the end of 2025.
And all would represent huge losses for the Kangaroos moving forward.
Originally published as Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow the latest NRL star linked to Samoan international defection
Expansion juggernaut: Bears out of NRL hibernation in $50m coup
The Western Bears have been backed to make an instant impact on the rugby league landscape following approval of their long-awaited return as part of a major NRL expansion boost.
Arthur to seal NRL return as Western Bears coach
The NRL’s newest franchise has wasted little time in identifying the man to spearhead its inaugural campaign, turning to former Parramatta coach Brad Arthur to build the Western Bears.