He moves so gracefully, and looks assured under the high ball. Yet his best moment was ruining Leniu’s certain four-pointer. It was classic stuff. What they call Queensland spirit.
Leniu had worked up a full head of steam when he tried to crash over the line, but Tabuai-Fidow was having none of it.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow finished with a hat-trick of tries.
He got down low and somehow threw his right knee beneath the ball. Given the angle of his body, he was entitled to be knocked backwards.
At just 22, Tabuai-Fidow is worshipped north of the border. They loved him in Townsville and they love him in Redcliffe. Even the most rusted-on NSW supporters would have been hard-pushed not to applaud some of his work in the middle of Accor Stadium.
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Billy Slater left the coach’s box after Tabuai-Fidow scored his first try and was seen deep in conversation with his new fullback.
It would have been fascinating to hear what was said. Slater remains one of the greatest fullbacks in the modern era and would doubtless have passed on some pearls of wisdom.
There were questions over Slater’s selection of Cobbo on the bench. The Maroons had lost four backs in the past six Origin games, and Slater wanted an insurance policy. The coach looked a genius when Walsh departed early.
Tabuai-Fidow was brilliant, as was Cherry-Evans. He went the short side to set up Queensland’s first try, then almost ran the length of the field whe taking an intercept, and somehow kicking the ball back in-field for Xavier Coates to score.
The Manly skipper is a big-game player. He is suddenly in the box seat to skipper his fourth series win from the past five series.
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