Latest news with #Tabuai-Fidow
The Age
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Heated clash of teammates shows how Walsh has saved Broncos' season
The 22-year-old's competitive nature has boiled over on occasion, his three-game suspension in 2023 for an on-field outburst the most memorable. But his desire to make an impact – according to coach Michael Maguire, it comes from a resolve to be 'striving continually to be the best' – has reignited a Broncos' season that was teetering just six weeks ago. After six defeats from seven games, Brisbane had fallen to 11th while Walsh was sidelined with a knee injury. They lacked fire and questions were being asked of their commitment. But Brisbane has gone five clashes unbeaten since their star's comeback to move to 5th on the ladder, with Walsh only missing the win against the Bulldogs while serving as Queensland's 18th man for the State of Origin series decider. Without him, the Broncos conceded 27.2 points on average a game, a figure that has dropped to 17.2 since his return to command the defensive line. Their attack has also thrived, scoring 30.4 points an outing compared with 19.2 without him – the latter figure dropping to 13.5 following the 42 points they put on the Bulldogs in round eight. According to Broncos hooker Billy Walters, Walsh's time on the sideline had reinvigorated him. Such has been Walsh's form, his omission from the Maroons game three side in favour of the Dolphins' Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow when Kalyn Ponga suffered a Lisfranc injury was met with surprise. But Tabuai-Fidow shone in the game three win, leading his club coach Kristian Woolf to believe it would not be the last time he was spotted in Queensland's No.1 jersey. It sets up an enthralling selection battle between the trio for next year's series defence. 'You just know if you give him the opportunity he's going to make it count,' Woolf said of Tabuai-Fidow. 'I know what Hammer looks like at his best, and he looks like what you saw.
Sydney Morning Herald
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Heated clash of teammates shows how Walsh has saved Broncos' season
The 22-year-old's competitive nature has boiled over on occasion, his three-game suspension in 2023 for an on-field outburst the most memorable. But his desire to make an impact – according to coach Michael Maguire, it comes from a resolve to be 'striving continually to be the best' – has reignited a Broncos' season that was teetering just six weeks ago. After six defeats from seven games, Brisbane had fallen to 11th while Walsh was sidelined with a knee injury. They lacked fire and questions were being asked of their commitment. But Brisbane has gone five clashes unbeaten since their star's comeback to move to 5th on the ladder, with Walsh only missing the win against the Bulldogs while serving as Queensland's 18th man for the State of Origin series decider. Without him, the Broncos conceded 27.2 points on average a game, a figure that has dropped to 17.2 since his return to command the defensive line. Their attack has also thrived, scoring 30.4 points an outing compared with 19.2 without him – the latter figure dropping to 13.5 following the 42 points they put on the Bulldogs in round eight. According to Broncos hooker Billy Walters, Walsh's time on the sideline had reinvigorated him. Such has been Walsh's form, his omission from the Maroons game three side in favour of the Dolphins' Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow when Kalyn Ponga suffered a Lisfranc injury was met with surprise. But Tabuai-Fidow shone in the game three win, leading his club coach Kristian Woolf to believe it would not be the last time he was spotted in Queensland's No.1 jersey. It sets up an enthralling selection battle between the trio for next year's series defence. 'You just know if you give him the opportunity he's going to make it count,' Woolf said of Tabuai-Fidow. 'I know what Hammer looks like at his best, and he looks like what you saw.
The Advertiser
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
The two players who will decide Origin glory. And it's not who you expect
"Critta" and "The Hammer" are the two players who hold the key to State of Origin III and where it will be won and lost in Sydney on Wednesday night. And with it the series, since NSW and Queensland are locked up at a game apiece after the Blues, having easily won game one in Brisbane, botched the first half of game two in Perth before making a comeback that just fell short. It's always easy to nominate star players in the halves as the ones who will have the biggest influence on a result. Particularly at Origin level where you have genuine superstars like NSW halfback Nathan Cleary and Queensland five-eighth Cameron Munster so heavily involved. But if you go back and have another look at Origins I and II you'll see what I mean when it comes to Blues centre Stephen "Critta" Crichton and Maroons fullback Hamiso "The Hammer" Tabuai-Fidow. We'll start with Tabuai-Fidow, who will be playing in his third different position in this series after being at left centre in game one and left wing in game two. Even before Kalyn Ponga, the Queensland fullback in Origins I and II, was injured playing for Newcastle last weekend I thought Brisbane's Reece Walsh should've been promoted to fullback for the decider. Ponga had been ordinary in the series so far. So I was shocked when, after Ponga became unavailable, Maroons coach Billy Slater moved Tabuai-Fidow from the wing to fullback and included Walsh only as 18th man. But I get it now. You're going to need top-shelf difference-makers in attack, playing in their best positions, to win this game and The Hammer is absolutely crushing it at fullback for the rising Dolphins in the NRL this season. He's a try-scorer (15 in 14 games this season, including four in his most recent game and eight in his last four), has a mammoth 68 tackle breaks and averages 175 running metres, with totals of 237 and 264 in his last two games. The Hammer can break a game open from anywhere on the field and as much as Queensland will be preparing to defend well in Origin III they know they're going to need to produce something extra-special in attack to win. Ponga wasn't doing it and Walsh, while he's a tremendous attacking player himself, isn't nearly as prolific a try-scorer as Tabuai-Fidow and tends to have more errors in him. Tabuai-Fidow scored two tries in Origin II - one with a straight-forward winger's finish and the other when he won the contest off a high kick to the corner. Playing at fullback is just going to make him more involved in attack and therefore even more dangerous. But leaving Walsh out and moving Tabuai-Fidow to fullback meant Slater had to find a new player in the three-quarters and he shocked everyone when he came up with Brisbane centre Gehamat Shibasaki. Shibasaki was really struggling to make a career of it in the NRL before this season, having played a total of 30 games for four clubs in six years. But in 2025, in the first year of a second stint with the Broncos, he has scored 12 tries in 15 games including doubles in each of his last three outings. MORE NRL NEWS So he has proved he can get among the tries under the right circumstances, which again is critical to Queensland's chances, but the big reason the Maroons were forced into disarray in defence out wide on the left in games I and II still remains. That is Crichton, at right centre for NSW. He gets a lot of praise for his fantastic defence, but he's a genius in attack as well. He has the knack of sucking in defenders whether he's running with the ball or as a decoy and he's incredibly unselfish, which is why he doesn't score more tries himself. "Critta" makes so many tries it must be a winger's dream to play outside him. Tabuai-Fidow and Valentine Holmes couldn't handle him in games one and two respectively and now it's Shibasaki's turn to try to stop him with the support of Holmes, who has gone back to left wing. NSW will be preparing to put Crichton in those one-on-one situations and he'll be relishing the opportunity to either create try-scoring opportunities for Zac Lomax on the wing or go himself if the space is narrowing close to the line. Crichton did both things to effect across Origins I and II and now he's going opposite a player making his Origin debut. It will be a massive challenge for Shibasaki to try to shut him down. THE Warriors can't win the premiership now they've lost their halfback Luke Metcalf for the rest of the season through injury, joining prop Mitch Barnett as a major out. They looked like contenders during the first half of the season, but this is a left to the body followed by a right to the jaw that they won't survive. The currently fourth-placed Warriors are a very well-drilled outfit under coach Andrew Webster and they'll try to grind wins out from here, but they'll be doing very well if they can hang on to a top-four spot going into the finals. Even with the four-point break they had over fifth place heading into this weekend's round, where they have a bye. THE benchmark has been set now, for all teams to see, by Penrith and Canterbury with the quality of their epic clash last week. If you haven't got the ability, when it's necessary, to rise to that level, which was above every other game so far this season, then forget about winning the competition. "Critta" and "The Hammer" are the two players who hold the key to State of Origin III and where it will be won and lost in Sydney on Wednesday night. And with it the series, since NSW and Queensland are locked up at a game apiece after the Blues, having easily won game one in Brisbane, botched the first half of game two in Perth before making a comeback that just fell short. It's always easy to nominate star players in the halves as the ones who will have the biggest influence on a result. Particularly at Origin level where you have genuine superstars like NSW halfback Nathan Cleary and Queensland five-eighth Cameron Munster so heavily involved. But if you go back and have another look at Origins I and II you'll see what I mean when it comes to Blues centre Stephen "Critta" Crichton and Maroons fullback Hamiso "The Hammer" Tabuai-Fidow. We'll start with Tabuai-Fidow, who will be playing in his third different position in this series after being at left centre in game one and left wing in game two. Even before Kalyn Ponga, the Queensland fullback in Origins I and II, was injured playing for Newcastle last weekend I thought Brisbane's Reece Walsh should've been promoted to fullback for the decider. Ponga had been ordinary in the series so far. So I was shocked when, after Ponga became unavailable, Maroons coach Billy Slater moved Tabuai-Fidow from the wing to fullback and included Walsh only as 18th man. But I get it now. You're going to need top-shelf difference-makers in attack, playing in their best positions, to win this game and The Hammer is absolutely crushing it at fullback for the rising Dolphins in the NRL this season. He's a try-scorer (15 in 14 games this season, including four in his most recent game and eight in his last four), has a mammoth 68 tackle breaks and averages 175 running metres, with totals of 237 and 264 in his last two games. The Hammer can break a game open from anywhere on the field and as much as Queensland will be preparing to defend well in Origin III they know they're going to need to produce something extra-special in attack to win. Ponga wasn't doing it and Walsh, while he's a tremendous attacking player himself, isn't nearly as prolific a try-scorer as Tabuai-Fidow and tends to have more errors in him. Tabuai-Fidow scored two tries in Origin II - one with a straight-forward winger's finish and the other when he won the contest off a high kick to the corner. Playing at fullback is just going to make him more involved in attack and therefore even more dangerous. But leaving Walsh out and moving Tabuai-Fidow to fullback meant Slater had to find a new player in the three-quarters and he shocked everyone when he came up with Brisbane centre Gehamat Shibasaki. Shibasaki was really struggling to make a career of it in the NRL before this season, having played a total of 30 games for four clubs in six years. But in 2025, in the first year of a second stint with the Broncos, he has scored 12 tries in 15 games including doubles in each of his last three outings. MORE NRL NEWS So he has proved he can get among the tries under the right circumstances, which again is critical to Queensland's chances, but the big reason the Maroons were forced into disarray in defence out wide on the left in games I and II still remains. That is Crichton, at right centre for NSW. He gets a lot of praise for his fantastic defence, but he's a genius in attack as well. He has the knack of sucking in defenders whether he's running with the ball or as a decoy and he's incredibly unselfish, which is why he doesn't score more tries himself. "Critta" makes so many tries it must be a winger's dream to play outside him. Tabuai-Fidow and Valentine Holmes couldn't handle him in games one and two respectively and now it's Shibasaki's turn to try to stop him with the support of Holmes, who has gone back to left wing. NSW will be preparing to put Crichton in those one-on-one situations and he'll be relishing the opportunity to either create try-scoring opportunities for Zac Lomax on the wing or go himself if the space is narrowing close to the line. Crichton did both things to effect across Origins I and II and now he's going opposite a player making his Origin debut. It will be a massive challenge for Shibasaki to try to shut him down. THE Warriors can't win the premiership now they've lost their halfback Luke Metcalf for the rest of the season through injury, joining prop Mitch Barnett as a major out. They looked like contenders during the first half of the season, but this is a left to the body followed by a right to the jaw that they won't survive. The currently fourth-placed Warriors are a very well-drilled outfit under coach Andrew Webster and they'll try to grind wins out from here, but they'll be doing very well if they can hang on to a top-four spot going into the finals. Even with the four-point break they had over fifth place heading into this weekend's round, where they have a bye. THE benchmark has been set now, for all teams to see, by Penrith and Canterbury with the quality of their epic clash last week. If you haven't got the ability, when it's necessary, to rise to that level, which was above every other game so far this season, then forget about winning the competition. "Critta" and "The Hammer" are the two players who hold the key to State of Origin III and where it will be won and lost in Sydney on Wednesday night. And with it the series, since NSW and Queensland are locked up at a game apiece after the Blues, having easily won game one in Brisbane, botched the first half of game two in Perth before making a comeback that just fell short. It's always easy to nominate star players in the halves as the ones who will have the biggest influence on a result. Particularly at Origin level where you have genuine superstars like NSW halfback Nathan Cleary and Queensland five-eighth Cameron Munster so heavily involved. But if you go back and have another look at Origins I and II you'll see what I mean when it comes to Blues centre Stephen "Critta" Crichton and Maroons fullback Hamiso "The Hammer" Tabuai-Fidow. We'll start with Tabuai-Fidow, who will be playing in his third different position in this series after being at left centre in game one and left wing in game two. Even before Kalyn Ponga, the Queensland fullback in Origins I and II, was injured playing for Newcastle last weekend I thought Brisbane's Reece Walsh should've been promoted to fullback for the decider. Ponga had been ordinary in the series so far. So I was shocked when, after Ponga became unavailable, Maroons coach Billy Slater moved Tabuai-Fidow from the wing to fullback and included Walsh only as 18th man. But I get it now. You're going to need top-shelf difference-makers in attack, playing in their best positions, to win this game and The Hammer is absolutely crushing it at fullback for the rising Dolphins in the NRL this season. He's a try-scorer (15 in 14 games this season, including four in his most recent game and eight in his last four), has a mammoth 68 tackle breaks and averages 175 running metres, with totals of 237 and 264 in his last two games. The Hammer can break a game open from anywhere on the field and as much as Queensland will be preparing to defend well in Origin III they know they're going to need to produce something extra-special in attack to win. Ponga wasn't doing it and Walsh, while he's a tremendous attacking player himself, isn't nearly as prolific a try-scorer as Tabuai-Fidow and tends to have more errors in him. Tabuai-Fidow scored two tries in Origin II - one with a straight-forward winger's finish and the other when he won the contest off a high kick to the corner. Playing at fullback is just going to make him more involved in attack and therefore even more dangerous. But leaving Walsh out and moving Tabuai-Fidow to fullback meant Slater had to find a new player in the three-quarters and he shocked everyone when he came up with Brisbane centre Gehamat Shibasaki. Shibasaki was really struggling to make a career of it in the NRL before this season, having played a total of 30 games for four clubs in six years. But in 2025, in the first year of a second stint with the Broncos, he has scored 12 tries in 15 games including doubles in each of his last three outings. MORE NRL NEWS So he has proved he can get among the tries under the right circumstances, which again is critical to Queensland's chances, but the big reason the Maroons were forced into disarray in defence out wide on the left in games I and II still remains. That is Crichton, at right centre for NSW. He gets a lot of praise for his fantastic defence, but he's a genius in attack as well. He has the knack of sucking in defenders whether he's running with the ball or as a decoy and he's incredibly unselfish, which is why he doesn't score more tries himself. "Critta" makes so many tries it must be a winger's dream to play outside him. Tabuai-Fidow and Valentine Holmes couldn't handle him in games one and two respectively and now it's Shibasaki's turn to try to stop him with the support of Holmes, who has gone back to left wing. NSW will be preparing to put Crichton in those one-on-one situations and he'll be relishing the opportunity to either create try-scoring opportunities for Zac Lomax on the wing or go himself if the space is narrowing close to the line. Crichton did both things to effect across Origins I and II and now he's going opposite a player making his Origin debut. It will be a massive challenge for Shibasaki to try to shut him down. THE Warriors can't win the premiership now they've lost their halfback Luke Metcalf for the rest of the season through injury, joining prop Mitch Barnett as a major out. They looked like contenders during the first half of the season, but this is a left to the body followed by a right to the jaw that they won't survive. The currently fourth-placed Warriors are a very well-drilled outfit under coach Andrew Webster and they'll try to grind wins out from here, but they'll be doing very well if they can hang on to a top-four spot going into the finals. Even with the four-point break they had over fifth place heading into this weekend's round, where they have a bye. THE benchmark has been set now, for all teams to see, by Penrith and Canterbury with the quality of their epic clash last week. If you haven't got the ability, when it's necessary, to rise to that level, which was above every other game so far this season, then forget about winning the competition.
The Advertiser
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Hammer's time: Why Slater picked Dolphin over Walsh
Billy Slater bided his time before making the Queensland No.1 jersey his own and the Maroons coach says Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's time is now. The Dolphins flyer edged out Brisbane star and new Maroons 18th man Reece Walsh for the coveted starting fullback position in the wake of injury to Kalyn Ponga. Next Wednesday night's State of Origin decider in Sydney will be Tabuai-Fidow's first as a starting No.1 for the Maroons after playing mostly centre in his previous nine outings. Slater, who started his Origin career on the wing, said the 23-year-old speedster known as "Hammer" deserved his jersey. He has been in stellar form for the Broncos in his three matches since returning from a knee injury but Slater said he made the call on what was "the right fit for the footy team right now". "Hammer deserves his opportunity to play in the No.1 jersey. He has played centre for us and played on the wing for us," Slater said. "It's not so much about the temptation (to pick Walsh), it's about what feel is right for the footy team. "I know it's a great discussion and people will be talking about it. I don't think you can make a wrong decision there. "Reece is a great player, there is no one more proud than me seeing Reece back on the field doing what he is doing. It is a great luxury to have them both in camp." Tabuai-Fidow has scored 15 tries in 14 games this season with a four-try effort his latest in a 50-28 win over South Sydney on Saturday. He arrived in camp on Monday on the Sunshine Coast buoyed by his selection and keen to apply Slater-like habits in his game. "It is just his work off the ball. His defence was pretty good and his work ethic as well. I want to put that into my game and make my game better," Tabuai-Fidow said. "He was one of the greatest fullbacks so to learn off him and pick his brain is going to be good. "It's pretty surreal. Just knowing I have the No.1 on my back is a special feeling and I am excited. "When (Slater) rang me and said I would be in the squad at fullback I was over the moon." Walsh won't play unless activated but the Maroons know only too well that is more than a real possibility. Last year in game one Walsh was illegally taken out, forcing a reshuffle and the use of 18th man Felise Kaufusi. The Broncos whiz can also play in the halves, making him an ideal 18th man. "That's what you have to look at for that 18th man spot, what if this happens or that happens. You need to be able to cover as many spots as possible," Slater said. The coach also made it clear he had no lingering doubts over Walsh's knee injury, ruling that out as a reason why Tabuai-Fidow was preferred. "Reece wouldn't be here if he was injured. He is in a great spot," he said. "I've had that injury, I know how it is and how it feels. It was a purely a decision around who is best for the position at the time." Billy Slater bided his time before making the Queensland No.1 jersey his own and the Maroons coach says Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's time is now. The Dolphins flyer edged out Brisbane star and new Maroons 18th man Reece Walsh for the coveted starting fullback position in the wake of injury to Kalyn Ponga. Next Wednesday night's State of Origin decider in Sydney will be Tabuai-Fidow's first as a starting No.1 for the Maroons after playing mostly centre in his previous nine outings. Slater, who started his Origin career on the wing, said the 23-year-old speedster known as "Hammer" deserved his jersey. He has been in stellar form for the Broncos in his three matches since returning from a knee injury but Slater said he made the call on what was "the right fit for the footy team right now". "Hammer deserves his opportunity to play in the No.1 jersey. He has played centre for us and played on the wing for us," Slater said. "It's not so much about the temptation (to pick Walsh), it's about what feel is right for the footy team. "I know it's a great discussion and people will be talking about it. I don't think you can make a wrong decision there. "Reece is a great player, there is no one more proud than me seeing Reece back on the field doing what he is doing. It is a great luxury to have them both in camp." Tabuai-Fidow has scored 15 tries in 14 games this season with a four-try effort his latest in a 50-28 win over South Sydney on Saturday. He arrived in camp on Monday on the Sunshine Coast buoyed by his selection and keen to apply Slater-like habits in his game. "It is just his work off the ball. His defence was pretty good and his work ethic as well. I want to put that into my game and make my game better," Tabuai-Fidow said. "He was one of the greatest fullbacks so to learn off him and pick his brain is going to be good. "It's pretty surreal. Just knowing I have the No.1 on my back is a special feeling and I am excited. "When (Slater) rang me and said I would be in the squad at fullback I was over the moon." Walsh won't play unless activated but the Maroons know only too well that is more than a real possibility. Last year in game one Walsh was illegally taken out, forcing a reshuffle and the use of 18th man Felise Kaufusi. The Broncos whiz can also play in the halves, making him an ideal 18th man. "That's what you have to look at for that 18th man spot, what if this happens or that happens. You need to be able to cover as many spots as possible," Slater said. The coach also made it clear he had no lingering doubts over Walsh's knee injury, ruling that out as a reason why Tabuai-Fidow was preferred. "Reece wouldn't be here if he was injured. He is in a great spot," he said. "I've had that injury, I know how it is and how it feels. It was a purely a decision around who is best for the position at the time." Billy Slater bided his time before making the Queensland No.1 jersey his own and the Maroons coach says Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's time is now. The Dolphins flyer edged out Brisbane star and new Maroons 18th man Reece Walsh for the coveted starting fullback position in the wake of injury to Kalyn Ponga. Next Wednesday night's State of Origin decider in Sydney will be Tabuai-Fidow's first as a starting No.1 for the Maroons after playing mostly centre in his previous nine outings. Slater, who started his Origin career on the wing, said the 23-year-old speedster known as "Hammer" deserved his jersey. He has been in stellar form for the Broncos in his three matches since returning from a knee injury but Slater said he made the call on what was "the right fit for the footy team right now". "Hammer deserves his opportunity to play in the No.1 jersey. He has played centre for us and played on the wing for us," Slater said. "It's not so much about the temptation (to pick Walsh), it's about what feel is right for the footy team. "I know it's a great discussion and people will be talking about it. I don't think you can make a wrong decision there. "Reece is a great player, there is no one more proud than me seeing Reece back on the field doing what he is doing. It is a great luxury to have them both in camp." Tabuai-Fidow has scored 15 tries in 14 games this season with a four-try effort his latest in a 50-28 win over South Sydney on Saturday. He arrived in camp on Monday on the Sunshine Coast buoyed by his selection and keen to apply Slater-like habits in his game. "It is just his work off the ball. His defence was pretty good and his work ethic as well. I want to put that into my game and make my game better," Tabuai-Fidow said. "He was one of the greatest fullbacks so to learn off him and pick his brain is going to be good. "It's pretty surreal. Just knowing I have the No.1 on my back is a special feeling and I am excited. "When (Slater) rang me and said I would be in the squad at fullback I was over the moon." Walsh won't play unless activated but the Maroons know only too well that is more than a real possibility. Last year in game one Walsh was illegally taken out, forcing a reshuffle and the use of 18th man Felise Kaufusi. The Broncos whiz can also play in the halves, making him an ideal 18th man. "That's what you have to look at for that 18th man spot, what if this happens or that happens. You need to be able to cover as many spots as possible," Slater said. The coach also made it clear he had no lingering doubts over Walsh's knee injury, ruling that out as a reason why Tabuai-Fidow was preferred. "Reece wouldn't be here if he was injured. He is in a great spot," he said. "I've had that injury, I know how it is and how it feels. It was a purely a decision around who is best for the position at the time."
The Advertiser
29-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Papalii gets Origin comeback for ages, Hammer new No.1
Canberra veteran Josh Papalii has been ushered out of State of Origin retirement to give Queensland's forward pack fire and brimstone in the State of Origin decider. Papalii called time on his Origin career ahead of the 2023 series but will be named at starting prop when Billy Slater unveils his 17 for Origin III on Monday. The 33-year-old prop has been instrumental in the first-placed Raiders' charge up the ladder this year and will add extra vigour to Queensland's pack come July 9 in Sydney. Gold Coast prop Moeaki Fotuaika has been axed from a forward group who have struggled to match it with NSW in this series. The selection shock comes as the Maroons recall Brisbane star Reece Walsh as 18th man and put faith in Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow as Kalyn Ponga's injury replacement at fullback. The biggest surprise in the Maroons side is the elevation of Broncos journeyman Shibasaki to partner Robert Toia in the centres after a season where the 27-year-old has scored 12 tries in 15 appearances to ressurect his career. Tabuai-Fidow has played in the Queensland backline for the previous two games of the series and has helped the Dolphins rise into finals calculations following a poor start. His four tries in the 50-28 win over South Sydney at No.1 in round 17 sealed the deal. He has never started at fullback in nine Origin games but shifted there minutes into the 2024 series opener when Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's high tackle sidelined Walsh. Tabuai-Fidow, who scored three tries that day, has indicated he is eager for another chance at fullback in Origin. "To have that No.1 on my back would be super special for me," Tabuai-Fidow said after the Dolphins' win over the Rabbitohs in his 100th NRL game. Walsh has been instrumental in reigniting Brisbane's season, with the Broncos winning all three games since he returned from the knee injury that scuppered his Origin chances earlier in the series. On Sunday morning, Maroons coach Billy Slater indicated he held no concerns over any lingering issues from the injury, pointing to Saturday's win over the Warriors. "I thought he moved quite well yesterday. The thing with Reece is he's dangerous with the footy in hand," Slater said on Channel Nine's Sunday Footy Show. "But he's also dangerous by bringing others into the game." Walsh can also slot into the halves if need be and is the ideal 18th man. Maroons back Valentine Holmes downplayed a minor leg injury that prevented him from kicking goals towards the end of St George Illawarra's win over Parramatta. He will be named on the wing as planned. "It was just a little contusion on my knee, nothing bad, I obviously could still run," said Holmes, who rescinded goal-kicking duties on Saturday night. "I was just half looking after myself, making sure I'm not doing anything unnecessary." Canberra veteran Josh Papalii has been ushered out of State of Origin retirement to give Queensland's forward pack fire and brimstone in the State of Origin decider. Papalii called time on his Origin career ahead of the 2023 series but will be named at starting prop when Billy Slater unveils his 17 for Origin III on Monday. The 33-year-old prop has been instrumental in the first-placed Raiders' charge up the ladder this year and will add extra vigour to Queensland's pack come July 9 in Sydney. Gold Coast prop Moeaki Fotuaika has been axed from a forward group who have struggled to match it with NSW in this series. The selection shock comes as the Maroons recall Brisbane star Reece Walsh as 18th man and put faith in Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow as Kalyn Ponga's injury replacement at fullback. The biggest surprise in the Maroons side is the elevation of Broncos journeyman Shibasaki to partner Robert Toia in the centres after a season where the 27-year-old has scored 12 tries in 15 appearances to ressurect his career. Tabuai-Fidow has played in the Queensland backline for the previous two games of the series and has helped the Dolphins rise into finals calculations following a poor start. His four tries in the 50-28 win over South Sydney at No.1 in round 17 sealed the deal. He has never started at fullback in nine Origin games but shifted there minutes into the 2024 series opener when Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's high tackle sidelined Walsh. Tabuai-Fidow, who scored three tries that day, has indicated he is eager for another chance at fullback in Origin. "To have that No.1 on my back would be super special for me," Tabuai-Fidow said after the Dolphins' win over the Rabbitohs in his 100th NRL game. Walsh has been instrumental in reigniting Brisbane's season, with the Broncos winning all three games since he returned from the knee injury that scuppered his Origin chances earlier in the series. On Sunday morning, Maroons coach Billy Slater indicated he held no concerns over any lingering issues from the injury, pointing to Saturday's win over the Warriors. "I thought he moved quite well yesterday. The thing with Reece is he's dangerous with the footy in hand," Slater said on Channel Nine's Sunday Footy Show. "But he's also dangerous by bringing others into the game." Walsh can also slot into the halves if need be and is the ideal 18th man. Maroons back Valentine Holmes downplayed a minor leg injury that prevented him from kicking goals towards the end of St George Illawarra's win over Parramatta. He will be named on the wing as planned. "It was just a little contusion on my knee, nothing bad, I obviously could still run," said Holmes, who rescinded goal-kicking duties on Saturday night. "I was just half looking after myself, making sure I'm not doing anything unnecessary." Canberra veteran Josh Papalii has been ushered out of State of Origin retirement to give Queensland's forward pack fire and brimstone in the State of Origin decider. Papalii called time on his Origin career ahead of the 2023 series but will be named at starting prop when Billy Slater unveils his 17 for Origin III on Monday. The 33-year-old prop has been instrumental in the first-placed Raiders' charge up the ladder this year and will add extra vigour to Queensland's pack come July 9 in Sydney. Gold Coast prop Moeaki Fotuaika has been axed from a forward group who have struggled to match it with NSW in this series. The selection shock comes as the Maroons recall Brisbane star Reece Walsh as 18th man and put faith in Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow as Kalyn Ponga's injury replacement at fullback. The biggest surprise in the Maroons side is the elevation of Broncos journeyman Shibasaki to partner Robert Toia in the centres after a season where the 27-year-old has scored 12 tries in 15 appearances to ressurect his career. Tabuai-Fidow has played in the Queensland backline for the previous two games of the series and has helped the Dolphins rise into finals calculations following a poor start. His four tries in the 50-28 win over South Sydney at No.1 in round 17 sealed the deal. He has never started at fullback in nine Origin games but shifted there minutes into the 2024 series opener when Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's high tackle sidelined Walsh. Tabuai-Fidow, who scored three tries that day, has indicated he is eager for another chance at fullback in Origin. "To have that No.1 on my back would be super special for me," Tabuai-Fidow said after the Dolphins' win over the Rabbitohs in his 100th NRL game. Walsh has been instrumental in reigniting Brisbane's season, with the Broncos winning all three games since he returned from the knee injury that scuppered his Origin chances earlier in the series. On Sunday morning, Maroons coach Billy Slater indicated he held no concerns over any lingering issues from the injury, pointing to Saturday's win over the Warriors. "I thought he moved quite well yesterday. The thing with Reece is he's dangerous with the footy in hand," Slater said on Channel Nine's Sunday Footy Show. "But he's also dangerous by bringing others into the game." Walsh can also slot into the halves if need be and is the ideal 18th man. Maroons back Valentine Holmes downplayed a minor leg injury that prevented him from kicking goals towards the end of St George Illawarra's win over Parramatta. He will be named on the wing as planned. "It was just a little contusion on my knee, nothing bad, I obviously could still run," said Holmes, who rescinded goal-kicking duties on Saturday night. "I was just half looking after myself, making sure I'm not doing anything unnecessary."
