Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow says he’s committed to Dolphins amid links to former NRL club North Queensland Cowboys

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has heard the rumours about a return to North Queensland — and the Maroons Origin star has a message for all those thinking he’s about to leave the Dolphins.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has torpedoed shock suggestions he could return home to the Cowboys as the Queensland Origin star outlined his mission to lead the Dolphins to a historic finals campaign this season.

Fresh from last week’s showing for the Indigenous All Stars, the ‘Hammer’ will return to Dolphins colours for their final pre-season trial against the Titans at Kayo Stadium on Saturday night.

Despite two outstanding seasons with the Dolphins, Tabuai-Fidow, now one of the code’s top entertainers, was buffeted by speculation he could be eyeing a return to North Queensland.

The 23-year-old was blooded in Townsville, playing 50 games for the Cowboys between 2020-22, before being released to be the Dolphins’ foundation fullback under Wayne Bennett in 2023.

In his maiden season at the Dolphins, Tabuai-Fidow was handed a mega five-year extension to keep him at the club until the end of 2027 — and the Hammer says he can’t be happier at Redcliffe.

Tabuai-Fidow says he’s loving life at the Dolphins.

The Origin star was rumoured to be keen on a move back to the Cowboys. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

“I saw that stuff as well,” Tabuai-Fidow said of his links to the Cowboys.

“Heaps of people were asking me about it. I didn’t even know anything about it until people were saying it to me, so I just want to shut all of that down.

“I haven’t talked to them (the Cowboys) or done anything with them.

“I’m solely focused on the Dolphins. I enjoy it here and I’m loving it here, too.

“The club’s been good to me and I’m actually trying to repay them as well.

“I love the fact the Dolphins are a family-orientated club. Most of the older boys here have kids and families and we’ve created a special bond with the camaraderie in the group.

“It’s a good time to be at the Dolphins, so I’m not going anywhere.”

Those words will be music to the ears of Bennett’s coaching successor Kristian Woolf, who is banking on Tabuai-Fidow’s matchwinning brilliance to underpin the Dolphins’ top-eight hopes in 2025.

Widely regarded as the fastest man in the NRL, Tabuai-Fidow has scored 30 tries in 36 games for the Dolphins.

But on the eve of the new season, the Hammer delivered a critique that will have NRL defenders nervous this year. The speed demon says he can get better — and faster.

“I think so,” Tabuai-Fidow said.

“We’ve been doing some speed training and I do feel pretty quick and pretty fit, so we’ll just have to see come game time and see if I really open up.

“In pre-season, I’ve tried to open up as much as I can. I did a few times last year, but this year I want to open up more and hopefully come game time, I’ll be faster.”

While he is seen as a laconic figure, Tabuai-Fidow is serious about self-improvement and has been studying Roosters fullback champion James Tedesco to find an extra edge in the backfield.

“I watch other fullbacks in the NRL,” he said.

“I like to watch other games on weekends and try and pick off stuff from other fullbacks.

“James Tedesco is a good one to look at. I admire the way he carries himself, not only in attack, but he’s always on the ball and super fit.

“I still feel there is more in me. My defence needs to be better and I can improve with my ‘line org’ (line organisation) and making sure our defence is set right.

“Attacking wise, I would like to ball-play more. I know I have the ability to do it, so I’m working hard to take my game to another level.”

The Hammer is desperate to play finals.

The Dolphins missed the playoffs by just one win last season – they were in the top eight for 19 consecutive weeks before a late fade out – and Tabuai-Fidow is adamant Redcliffe have the roster to celebrate a historic finals berth.

“Our goal is to play finals footy,” he said.

“We fell a bit short there last year but that has made the boys hungrier and the whole squad has bought into ‘Woolfy’s’ coaching and the high standards he drives.

“It’s a long season, but it would be a special thing to get the Dolphins to their first finals series.”

Originally published as Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow says he’s committed to Dolphins amid links to former NRL club North Queensland Cowboys