Emergency surgery could force an end to Tabuai-Fidow’s season
THE Cowboys’ greatest attacking weapon will be sidelined for the next six weeks, having undergone emergency surgery today.
After the biggest fortnight of his rugby league career, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow underwent an appendectomy in Townsville, rubbing him out of Friday’s clash with the Melbourne Storm and beyond.
The 19-year-old will remain in hospital for at least a night.
With regular fullback Valentine Holmes also sidelined through injury, the next month was set to be Tabuai-Fidow’s chance to stake his claim to the No.1 jumper.
He impressed in his first crack at the job in the loss to Sydney on the weekend, running for 253m, making eight tackle busts and scoring a try.
A replacement fullback is yet to be announced.
When ‘The Hammer’ was on State of Origin duty, young gun Daejarn Asi was named at the back, though five-eighth Scott Drinkwater eventually spent time in the role.
Earlier this week, North Queensland coach Todd Payten said Tabuai-Fidow had returned from Maroons camp with an air of confidence about him.
Such is the sheer speed and ability of the emerging sensation, he said there was no telling just how good he could become.
“I think Hammer’s come out of the Origin set-up with a great deal of confidence,” Payten said.
“He’s pretty cruisy with his personality. I think that works in his favour in big moments and in big games. The kid’s got so much ability and he’s very instinctive.
“Val’s out for another two or three weeks so it’s Hammer’s (position) for the moment. We’ll reassess that moving forward.”
It adds to a tough week for Far North products, with fellow Cairns speedster, Raiders fullback Xavier Savage, sent for season-ending surgery on an injured shoulder.