Fans call out 'laughable' rule as Origin player tossing up Aussie defect ahead of Ashes
Tabuai-Fidow would be close to an automatic selection for incoming coach Walters with the Dolphins star able to play in the centres, fullback and wing for his side. But just like Payne Haas and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Tabuai-Fidow is weighing-up whether to play for Samoa going forward, according to .
'The Hammer' played for Samoa in the 2022 World Cup, but was hampered with injury and only featured in one game. He has represented Australia six times since then having won the Pacific Championship last year in a stacked side.
Although it appears he is weighing-up whether to go back and represent Samoa, which he is eligible to do through family heritage. And this hands Walters a new issue as incoming coach. The NRL great is expected to be handed the Kangaroos coaching role any day now.
Walters appears to have got the job over Cameron Smith and other candidates, which will see him take over his first head coaching role since leaving the Broncos at the end of 2024. Walters will be looking to help lead Australia to victory over England in the first Ashes series since 2003.
However, his first job as coach could be to persuade the likes of Tabuai-Fidow, Haas and Fa'asuamaleaui from changing allegiances. Samoa lost 3-0 to England last year in their international series, but boast an extremely strong side. Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Brian To'o, Terrell May and Blaize Talagi already make up the squad in a side that is growing in strength.
But Walters would like to keep Tabuai-Fidow in the side who would be in contention to play fullback, or revert to his previous role in the centres, if available for selection. Regardless, Walters is now facing a new task as incoming coach. And the new rule has raised issues.
Rugby League fans divided over international rules
Samoa is not considered a tier-one nation so if Tabuai-Fidow, Haas and Fa'asuamaleaui were to make the switch, they would still be able to continue playing Origin for their respective states. And fans have become increasingly confused and frustrated with reports of players switching.
Many feel the players should only be able to play for one country and not be able to switch after making their debut. However, the argument is State of Origin and the international game is strengthened with as many players getting involved as possible. Samoa will continue to grow in strength and the game will grow if more superstars opt to represent the country.
I think the Kangaroos have plenty of quality outside backs to cover 😂Strengthening the other teams will make for a better international competition.
— Skrindell (@RansomeNick) July 21, 2025
Anyone can play for anyone It's laughable
— Ryan D (@ryand1one) July 21, 2025
Seriously players just pick a choose what they want to do these days. It's a joke
— steven goodall (@goodsey81) July 21, 2025
Kevin Walters set to be named as Australia coach
The Kangaroos are yet to officially name a coach, despite Walters close to being confirmed for the role. The Kangaroos will play a three-match Ashes series for the first time since 2003, with the first Test against England getting underway at London's Wembley Stadium on October 25.
NRL legend Brad Fittler was considered a favourite for the role, but withdrew from the race due to his media commitments with Channel Nine. The ARLC has been on the lookout for someone to replace Mal Meninga as Kangaroos coach, since the World Cup-winning mentor stepped down to join expansion side the Perth Bears, who enter the NRL in 2027.
But after the Commission voted to uphold the ban on club coaches being able to take the role and Fittler pulled out of the running, it was essentially a two-horse race between Smith and Walters to be handed the reins for Australia's Ashes campaign. And Walters appears to have won the race ahead of the tour to England with the Broncos legend already facing a dilemma within the squad.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'Very aware': Maguire dismisses Broncos concern as family detail comes to light
Broncos coach Michael Maguire has opened up on how his players and staff spent their week on the bye, and dismissed concerns the team might have lost some momentum because of the break. Brisbane have won five in a row to put themselves in fifth place on the NRL ladder heading into Round 21. Sitting four points behind the Warriors in fourth, the Broncos will be keen to continue their winning ways to try and secure a top-four finish to the regular season. They face the Parramatta Eels at home on Friday night, before another game at Suncorp against the lowly Rabbitohs. Speaking on SEN radio this week, Maguire revealed he sent his players and staff away to be with family during their bye last week. While some coaches like to continue training so they don't lose any momentum, Maguire saw an opportunity to give his team some much-needed down-time, and gave them a full five-day break to be with their loved ones. When asked what the Broncos did on their break, Maguire said: "With family really. I'm usually pretty full-on with the players but when I get a chance I always love to get away with the family and just spend time at home. Dropping the kids at school and getting to their sporting events and things like that, so it was actually a nice little break." The Broncos coach admitted he's aware that some teams come back from the bye a bit sluggish, but dismissed concerns his team will fall into that trap. "You get into a bit of a routine when you're going week-to-week, and we've been fortunate to have that over the last month," he said. "But now we've got to make sure we take what we got out of that [and continue it]. I am aware that when you have a bit of a break you can break your rhythm, so we've got to jump straight into what we're doing on Friday. We've got to be very aware that Parramatta can start strongly." Michael Maguire finally getting to use first-choice spine With Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt all fit and firing, Maguire is finally getting the chance to utilise his first-choice spine. Walsh and Hunt have been out at different times with injuries, while Mam was suspended for the first nine games of the year. But all four are finally available, and it's an exciting time for Broncos fans. "I think they're going to keep evolving over this next month," Maguire said. "Hunty probably hasn't played as much in the No.9 jersey, but his smarts about what he sees at 9 is going to be real helping hand. And that will release Ezra and Reecey. I've got two senior leaders and two X-factors there. "We can play a controlled style but those boys can also express themselves when there's a bit of space. It is exciting to have that spine back. It was what I was expecting to have when I first started, but we've managed to get there now. Each game we play I think we'll get better and better." RELATED: Panthers fans divided after Ivan Cleary forced to axe grand final hero Teammate responds amid calls for NRL stars to cop ban from Origin Maguire provided an insight into the type of person Walsh is behind closed doors. "He brings a lot of energy to every day," he said. "He's a livewire and he loves his footy, and that rubs off on everyone. When we add Reece and Ezra and the support they provide, we're just a different team. The day-to-day training, he's a real competitor and I love coaching those types of players." Broncos players feeling fresh after bye The Broncos' bye also provided their State of Origin players to freshen up and get their bodies right for the run home. Payne Haas has been battling some niggles, although Pat Carrigan didn't carry the same workload he usually does for the Maroons, spending more time on the bench than in previous years. "I've just learned over the past couple of years that it's an opportunity to let yourself refresh," Carrigan told AAP this week. "I was a bit guilty (in 2024) of just trying to double down and dive back into things. Madge (Maguire) gave us five or six days off, and that was really good to bring me back level-headed and back to my focus here. I feel really good."
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Carlton determined to send Docherty off a winner
Carlton coach Michael Voss is hoping Sam Docherty's "powerful legacy" can inspire the Blues in their beloved former captain's 184th and final AFL game. While Carlton's finals hopes are over, they will be desperate to upset Hawthorn at the MCG on Thursday night and send Docherty off a winner. Star defender Jacob Weitering, a close friend of Docherty, will also be celebrated when he lines up for his 200th game. It's a special one tomorrow you at the 'G 💫 — Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) July 23, 2025 Docherty has defied major adversity in his life to be an integral part of Carlton's past decade, also becoming one of the most popular and respected players in the AFL. Voss has a special bond with the 31-year-old, having drafted him at the end of 2011 to become his first AFL coach at Brisbane. Docherty had three coaches at Carlton - Mick Malthouse, Brendon Bolton and David Teague - before he was reunited with Voss in late 2021 as he was battling testicular cancer for a second time. "Reconnecting with him ... he was white and bald and dealing with a really big life challenge," Voss said of Docherty's chemotherapy. "Telling me he was going to play round one three months later, which I was more than happy to agree with but silently thinking 'no chance', but he did it." Docherty's remarkable return for round one of the 2022 season, just nine months after starting chemotherapy, will go down as the defining moment of his career and one of the most inspiring in the AFL this century. "Every time he set himself with that task, he's been able to do it," Voss said. "There's some sort of resolve in there that not many have, and he's been able to dig deep a lot of times and find something extra. "(The round one game against Richmond) it felt like one of the rare times the whole stadium comes together as one and it didn't matter who you barracked for, it was about that moment and that person. "You don't get too many times in football and your career when you experience that, but that felt like a real powerful moment when he kicked that goal, and I think we were all standing up and barracking at that time." "'Crip'. I'm sorry we don't get to share that moment together... I love ya."When breaking the news to the team, Sam Docherty had this emotional message for great mate Patrick Cripps... yep 🥺Full version to come. #ThankYouDoc — Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) July 22, 2025 Calling Docherty's Tuesday announcement "one of the better retirement speeches I've heard", Voss described him as "stubborn, resolute, confident". "He won't end on the success that he so dearly wants for this club, that we all want," Voss said. "He should know he leaves with a pretty powerful legacy that we get to build off the back of. "It's pretty significant to be able to see what his journey was at the start." In a boost for Carlton, star forward Harry McKay will return to face the Hawks after missing the past eight weeks with a knee injury. But Voss confirmed star midfielder Sam Walsh will struggle to play again this season as he recovers from a foot injury.


USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
Nebraska women's basketball alum Isabella Bourne shines in Asia Cup play
Nebraska women's basketball alum Isabella Bourne was a key piece in helping the Australian national team capture the FIBA Asia Cup title earlier this week. Bourne tallied eight points and three rebounds in the championship game, putting the final stamp on what was an impressive stretch of play. All told, she averaged 6.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and one steal per game during the tournament. Australia required a 5-0 record in the process. She was able to do it all for the Opals on Sunday. She had to three-point shots and was perfect from the free throw line. She had two assists, one steal, and a blocked shot in just over 11 minutes of play. This should come as no surprise to Huskers fans, as she displayed that type of consistency while in Lincoln. She scored 1,221 points during her tenure with the program and served as a three-time co-captain. She also proved to be effective on the boards, snagging 648 rebounds in four seasons. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and