League’s ‘fastest’ man set for Nines

COULD a Cairns teenager dubbed ‘The Hammer’ become the fastest player in the NRL?

Still only 18, Aboriginal flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is being tipped to explode into something of a sprinting, scoring, blurring human highlights reel when he debuts for North Queensland at the NRL Nines this weekend.

Attending Kirwan State High in Townsville only last year, the livewire fullback is so quick that Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo insists he could steal the ‘NRL Fastest Man’ crown from Melbourne flyer Josh Addo-Carr.

Which prompts one question: Exactly how quick is quick?

“Well,” Taumalolo said, “when our wingers make a break at training, Hamiso not only runs them down, but does it while laughing.

“Which really is embarrassing for our guys.

“And he doesn’t seem to be anywhere near full pace either. Honestly, I think he’s had the handbrake on all pre-season.

“I can’t wait to see him open up in some space.”

So potentially the fastest man in the NRL?

“Oh, he could be for sure,” the Cowboys No.13 continues. “He’s a guy who could really give the Fox a run for his money.”

Not only the fastest man on the North Queensland roster now, Taumalolo reveals the teenager is also faster than even recent NRL flyer Gideon Gela-Mosby.

“Broke Gideon’s 100m high school sprint record,” Taumalolo says of the 89kg flyer who, still on an NRL Development contract, can also play centre or wing.

All pace and athleticism, Tabuai-Fidow was outstanding for the Townsville Blackhawks U/18s last season.

Cowboys coach Paul Green is now ready to test the youngster alongside the likes of Taumalolo, Josh McGuire, Kyle Feldt and Esan Marsters in Nines.