Hammer: ‘We can go up against big teams’

Published 1:42pm 25 July 2024

Words by Kylie Knight

Dolphins star fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is looking forward to playing seven games in a row for his club as they close in on a maiden finals berth.

It starts with the Gold Coast Titans at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday (4.05pm kick off).

Tabuai-Fidow has only played nine games for the Dolphins this season, due to injury and then State of Origin duties, but is focused on helping his side stay in the top eight and play finals footy.

“I got injured at the start of the year, missed a handful of games too. It’s just good to be back with the boys and mingling around. I haven’t played a game at home for a while, so just to get back to Suncorp ... I’m just excited and all the boys are excited as well,” he says.

His strike-rate has been impressive, with 11 tries in nine club appearances, something he puts down to ‘enjoying his footy’.

“This last seven weeks is really important to us. Everyone wants to play finals and that’s what we have our eyes on. The boys are excited just to get out there and to play our best footy as well. We’re ready to go,” Tabuai-Fidow says.

Head Coach Wayne Bennett has made no changes to the team, which pushed the Penrith Panthers to golden point last weekend, going down 28-26.

Tabuai-Fidow says the side needs to take confidence from their narrow loss to the premiers.

“We can go up against the big teams,” he says.

The 22-year-old, who has made the fullback position his own, has been named in the squad alongside the guy who has filled in for him and earnt a two-year contract as a result of scintillating performances – Trai Fuller.

“He’s still in the 17 for good reason. The stuff that he can do on the field is pretty freaky. He’s just a good fella to have around,” Tabuai-Fidow says.

“I think last week was pretty cool. I came in on Captain’s Run and he came over to me and said that he was excited to play with me and I said the same thing to him.

“Hopefully we do get a chance (to play together again) this week and hopefully play off each other and just create that energy that he does bring within the team ... look after each other and back each other up.”