Latest news with #HamisoTabuaiFidow
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Furious footy legend Brad Fittler reveals which players he wants to punish by having them BANNED from playing State of Origin
NRL legend and coach Brad Fittler has reacted to some of the game's biggest stars turning their bac on playing for Australia by campaigning to ban them from the State of Origin arena. Australia will play England in a three-test Ashes series for the first time in 22 years at the end of the NRL season. However, there are real fears of a talent drain with Queensland and Dolphins star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow mulling over a decision on whether to play for the Kangaroos or Samoa. The slashing fullback played a lone test for Samoa at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup before his career went into orbit. He has now played 10 matches for the Queensland Maroons and has played six Tests for Australia. However, Tabuai-Fidow could choose Samoa over Australia, with New South Wales enforcer Payne Haas and Queensland's Tino Fa'asuamaleaui also considering switching their allegiances. All of them were born in Australia. There is currently nothing in the rules stopping the stars from making the switch, as Samoa is still considered a Tier 2 nation despite reaching the final of the most recent World Cup. Players cannot switch between Tier 1 countries under the regulatioons. Fittler wants that changed, with Origin bans slapped on Tabuai-Fidow, Haas and Fa'asuamaleaui - along with any other Kangaroos who choose to play for their island nation instead. 'The fact is they can go and play for Samoa and still play State of Origin,' he told Radio 2GB. 'State of Origin is the one that everybody loves playing. 'So unless you take State of Origin away from those tier-two nations, then that won't change. 'There's a lot of lobbying going on behind the scenes, especially with a lot of the Polynesian players, trying to get them to go and play for Samoa, Tonga.' 2GB's Adam Hawse suggested that Australian officials should also be hitting the phones, but Fittler didn't agree. 'Yeah, but you know, who wants to be lobbying?' Fittler said. 'Half the time they don't ring you back anyway. 'Who wants to sit there and lobby and ask players do they want to play for the country that has nurtured and educated them, you know?' In 2017, Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita made headlines by choosing to represent Tonga over New Zealand and Australia for the Rugby League World Cup. Their shock defections triggered a wave of support, with players like Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Manu Maʻu, and David Fusitu'a also pledging allegiance to Tonga. The move redefined international rugby league, as Tonga reached the semi-finals and nearly upset England. Inspired by Tonga's rise, several stars later chose Samoa for the 2022 Rugby League World Cup, including Joseph Suaalii, Brian To'o, Junior Paulo and Jarome Luai. Samoa went on to reach the final that year, becoming the first tier-two nation to do so.
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Footy star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is on the verge of making a bombshell career move after sex tape scandal ended his romance with one of the NRLW's biggest names
In what would be a hammer blow for the Kangaroos, NRL star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is reportedly on the verge of ditching Australia to represent Samoa at the end-of-season Pacific Championship. The flyer has played six Tests for Australia, but is reported to be strongly considering changing his international allegiance. Tabuai-Fidow represented the men in blue in a solitary Test back in 2022 - and in a further bombshell, the excitement machine could be joined by the likes of Payne Haas and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui. If Tabuai-Fidow chooses to represent Samoa, Dylan Edwards would be the likely fullback for Australia, with Reece Walsh and James Tedesco also in the mix. And the news couldn't have come at a worse time for Kevin Walters, who is tipped to be named as Mel Meninga's replacement for the three-Test series in the United Kingdom. Meninga will be the inaugural coach of the Perth Bears, who will enter the NRL in 2027. The development also comes after Tabuai-Fidow, 23, recently ended his relationship with NRLW pin-up Jaime Chapman. Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed earlier this month an explicit sex video featuring the Queensland Origin x-factor was central behind the bust-up. The footage features a young woman known to Tabuai-Fidow filming herself performing a sex act on him. Tabuai-Fidow is easily identifiable due to his tattoos, including a recent piece featuring a bear wearing a crown he had inked on his right thigh. The footy star and the woman had been partying at the Su Casa nightclub in Brisbane, with the venue's stamp visible on her forearm in the footage. They left the nightclub together and ventured back to Tabuai-Fidow's house in Brisbane's north, where they made the consensual sex tape. Tabuai-Fidow successfully put the drama to one side for the Maroons, playing a key role as Queensland won the Origin series 2-1. He will also loom large as the Dolphins look to play finals footy for the first time this season after entering the NRL competition in 2023.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fans call out 'laughable' rule as Origin player tossing up Aussie defect ahead of Ashes
Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is reportedly considering switching allegiances and playing for Samoa in the Pacific Championships this year, which would be a huge blow for incoming coach Kevin Walters ahead of the historic Ashes tour. Tabuai-Fidow was one of the stars of State of Origin Game 3 having filled in at fullback and helped Queensland win the decider in Sydney. 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.
News.com.au
21-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Wasn't up to scratch': Roosters on notice as Storm looks to bounce back from costly loss in star's milestone match
Milestone man Xavier Coates will play his 100th NRL game on Thursday night, but the human highlights reel isn't ready to celebrate after a Storm performance that 'wasn't up to scratch' and could cost them a crucial top-two finish. Coates suffered his first loss at AAMI Park since 2022 when the Storm were upset by Manly thanks to a late penalty goal despite him scoring three tries. It sets up a cracking contest with Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase, who is level with him on 13 tries and has already wrapped up try of the year after Coates won it last year. Scoring tries isn't the Storm star's main focus after his side completed just 71 per cent of their sets and conceded two costly penalties to drop to third spot ahead of a tricky trip to Sydney. 'We've had some really tough conversations over the last few days in the review of the game, and our discipline wasn't up to scratch,' he said. 'We weren't completing like we usually do, and it was an off game for all of us boys, but we're looking to bounce back on Thursday and we know we're coming up against another quality opposition in the Roosters, so we've got to be on our 'A' game. 'Our performance wasn't up to scratch on Saturday night and it's not the style of footy that we want to play. 'We're fixing it up during this training week and making sure we're nailing basics first and foremost and not trying to play flashy footy.' Dolphins flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is the only player who has scored more tries than the aerial acrobat this season, but a win is all he wants after a mixed night against Manly. It's a bird... It's a plane... It's Xavier Coates! 🦸â€�♂ï¸� — NRL (@NRL) July 19, 2025 'All that stuff is nice and all, but there are a lot of things that I want to fix up in my game,' he said. 'There were a lot of things that I feel I didn't do well on Saturday night, so I know this week I want to fix them up, and hopefully I come out on Thursday and fix that all up.' Coates has taken a lot of confidence out of Queensland's State of Origin win and is feeling good after dealing with hamstring issues in the past. He's playing his most consistent footy in his fourth season at the club after he made his debut with the Broncos, with Coates scoring 72 tries heading into his 100th appearance. 'It's a bit of a weird feeling. It's gone pretty quickly and I still feel like an 18-year-old,' he said. 'I'm 24 now and will have 100 games under my belt, so it's a surreal feeling. It's a massive achievement to do it here at the Melbourne Storm which is such a great club that have done so much for me. 'My teacher and mentor back on the Gold Coast for junior footy was Matty Geyer, who played here at the Melbourne Storm and is a club legend. 'He's done so much for the game and so much for the club. He used to speak about how great of a club it is, and I always thought what it would be like to play there. 'Now that I'm in the position I'm in, it's a surreal feeling and I'm really excited to go out on Thursday and do my job to hopefully get the win.'
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NRL cult hero makes long-awaited return as Origin players ruled out of club games
The Melbourne Storm are set to be without Maroons stars Cameron Munster and Xavier Coates for Saturday's clash with Newcastle, as several NRL clubs count the cost of Wednesday night's State of Origin decider. The Dolphins have also decided to rest Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow after his starring role at fullback for Queensland in their series-clinching win in Sydney, with cult hero Trai Fuller set to make his long-awaited return. Fuller has not played since suffering an ACL injury at the end of last season but the livewire gets another crack after the Dolphins decided to rest the 'Hammer' in the wake of his Origin heroics. Hammer stayed in Sydney ahead of Friday night's clash with Cronulla but Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has decided not to risk his star fullback due to the short turnaround. And he's named Fuller to take over the No.1 role in what will be his first game since rupturing his ACL in round 27 last year. Fuller has excelled at fullback in the absence of Hammer in the past and the NRL fan favourite has done enough to convince Woolf he's ready for a first-grade return. "I think Trai's ready to go again. He's been back for a little while now too," Woolf said. "He's played a couple of games (in Queensland Cup) where he's played 40 minutes and 60 minutes, and he's played three 80-minute games. He's been training fully now for seven or eight weeks, so he's ready to go." The Storm will also be without Maroons captain Munster for Saturday's clash with Newcastle as he returns home to Queensland to be with family, following the devastating death of his father Steven last weekend. Melbourne teammate Coates will also be rested for the away clash against the Knights after opening the scoring for Queensland in Wednesday night's Origin decider. The Sydney Roosters are planning to have all of their Origin players available to face St George Illawarra in Saturday evening's later game. While Dragons star Valentine Holmes is also set to back up for his side after an impressive showing for the Maroons in Game 3. All five of North Queensland's representatives are likely to face the high-flying Bulldogs in Saturday night's final game. However, the Bulldogs are yet to make a call on their Origin contingent but have named Jacob Kiraz, Stephen Crichton and Blues prop Max King, as well as Maroons interchange Kurt Mann in their 17-man squad. RELATED: Laurie Daley urged to backflip after shock change in Origin loss Queensland star escapes punishment after incident with Latrell Reece Walsh suffers fresh blow after Queensland Origin triumph Defending premiers Penrith have a few headaches for their game against Parramatta on Sunday, with Liam Martin (hand) and Brian To'o (knee) under injury clouds. Martin is having scans on the hand injury he picked up for the Blues in Game 3 but is confident he'll be good to go against the Eels. "It's come good, a bit of a carry on. It's feeling alright now," Martin said. "I had contact straight on it. It didn't feel good for a few minutes but as the game went on it felt better." To'o also appeared to be hampered by a knee injury that meant he didn't train with NSW until two days before the decider, but said it felt fine afterwards and said he intended to play for Penrith this weekend. "I'll be ready (for Penrith). Unless my leg is broken then I will always keep putting on the jersey and keep playing," To'o said. Penrith coach Ivan Cleary will also have to make a call on his other Origin stars Dylan Edwards, Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, while Eels winger Zac Lomax will be keen to back up after Blues' disappointing Game 3 defeat. Brisbane coach Michael Maguire also has a big decision to make on whether to play or rest Payne Haas for the round's final game against Gold Coast. Haas has a bulging disc in his back but was still one of the Blues' best on Wednesday night. Maroons forward Tino Fa'asuamaleaui is expected to play for the Titans in a major boost for Des Hasler's struggling side. with AAP
