Cairns Cowboy stars in schoolboys rout
ELECTRIC 18-year-old Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is primed to make his NRL debut next year after ripping apart the Junior Kiwis for Australian Schoolboys in yesterday’s trans-Tasman clash.
Tabuai-Fidow put pen to paper on a development contract with North Queensland on Friday and wasted no time in showing the Cowboys exactly what he’s capable of in a man-of-the-match performance in Australia’s 36-20 win.
Starting at centre to accommodate Keebra Park sensation Reece Walsh, the fullback specialist put his pace to use in scoring Australia’s first try in under four minutes before racking up another line-break and 102 metres as the hosts built a 12-point halftime lead.
Only a loose pass denied Tabuai-Fidow a second try during a frantic 40 minutes that saw three more tries and plenty of feeling.
Kiwi fullback Starford Toa proved why Newcastle rate him so highly with a stutter stepping try in the sixth minute, but Roosters-bound Sam Walker kept the Aussies in front with a grubber that found a diving Walsh right under the sticks.
A one-on-one strip from Tabuai-Fidow then laid the platform for skipper Jackson Topine to cross just before the break with the Bulldogs prospect swerving neatly to score near the right corner post.
New Zealand gave themselves a shot when Kayal Iro barged over from their first set after halftime but second-half tries to Max Feagai and Jack Howarth stretched Australia’s lead to 20 points midway through the half.
Quickfire tries to Selestino Ravutaumada and To’a rocketed the Junior Kiwis back into contention but Australia’s defence tightened from there as Walker’s full-time try and conversion blew the final margin back to 16 points.
Topine paid tribute to the Junior Kiwis, saying: “They really came back in the second half when we got out to a lead.”
But rival skipper Jordan Riki was humble in defeat.
“They really went out there and gave it to us today,” Riki said.
“Not the result we wanted but I really want to thank my brothers (teammates). I’ll hold this for the rest of my life.”