North Queensland Cowboys wary of ‘Hammer’ blow with NRL season hanging on the line

Former Cowboy Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow could deliver the ‘Hammer’ blow that drives North Queensland’s top eight dream into the turf. Read how his old teammates are preparing for him.

Former Cowboy Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow could deliver the ‘Hammer’ blow that drives North Queensland’s top eight dream into the turf at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

Tabuai-Fidow sensationally walked out on the Cowboys after the emergence of Scott Drinkwater in 2022 blocked his path to the No.1 jersey made famous by his idol, Matt Bowen.

The Far North Queensland product has electrified the NRL with 14 tries in 14 games for his new club and established his State of Origin bona fides with two tries in the series decider.

With his former prodigy now standing between the Cowboys and a finals berth, it would be easy for Todd Payten to label Tabuai-Fidow the one that got away.

Todd Payten does not regret granting Tabuai-Fidow a release. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow breaks away from the defence of Graham Campbell during round 7. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The coach backed his call to grant Tabuai-Fidow a release.

“There’s a lot of factors that go into that decision,” he said.

“He came to us and asked for an opportunity to play in his preferred position. There’s a salary cap that comes into all that play, and to be fair, Drinky (Drinkwater) has cemented that fullback spot, has been our best player, has created the most linebreaks and try assists.

“I’m always reluctant to lose good players and (Tabuai-Fidow) is one of them, Cons (Lemuelu) is another, Tommy Gilbert is another but, you know, it is what it is.

“It’s rugby league and we’ve made our decision and they made theirs and we just keep going forward.”

Tabuai-Fidow returns from a head knock on Friday night at Suncorp and will be a huge addition to the Dolphins who have lost nine of their past 10.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow celebrates with Scott Drinkwater and Reuben Cotter after scoring a try during round 8, 2022. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Drinkwater, the man that usurped Tabuai-Fidow in the Cowboys’ No.1, acknowledged his old teammate as a major threat.

“Hammer is just a tryscorer; anticipation, any linebreak, he’s quick enough to push up and support no matter where is he on the field,” Drinkwater said.

“It would be good to have him at the club but he’s not at the club and we’re in round 26 now. I think we’ve all moved on from that.”

Milestone man Peta Hiku credited the Dolphins’ experienced forward pack for allowing the Hammer space to thrive.

“Hammer is one of those players you could have a game plan for him but he will do the total opposite,” Hiku said.

“He just plays what’s in front of him and that’s the type of player he is. It’s like he’s a kid out on the field. You think he’s going to do something and he’ll pivot to something else – and still pull it off.”

Cowboys rake Reece Robson saw his fair share of Tabuai-Fidow in the Origin arena and admitted he would prefer to be playing alongside him, not against him, on Friday.

“He’s dangerous. He’s got a lot of x-factor and we need to make sure we contain that,” Robson said.

“There’s a lot of players in the NRL you’d rather have on your side than throwing their freaky stuff at you, but if we can contain that we will be okay.”

Originally published as North Queensland Cowboys wary of ‘Hammer’ blow with NRL season hanging on the line