Former Origin star’s formula for success is all about belief
NERVES are going to be inevitable for a young debutant, but Dale Shearer believes harnessing them is the key to making an impact from the first whistle.
For a third straight week the Cowboys will award a rising star with a maiden appearance, as winger Connelly Lemuelu follows Hamiso Tabuai-fidow and Tom Gilbert in starting their NRL journeys.
Tabuai-fidow’s rise has in particular been met with anticipation after his stunning showcase of speed and skill at the Perth Nines.
While he began on the wing against the New Zealand Warriors, he impressed in his move to fullback when Valentine Holmes limped from the field and will take the No. 1 jersey against Wests Tigers.
There are parallels between Shearer, who finished his career in North Queensland, and the tearaway known as ‘The Hammer’. Both made their professional debuts as teenagers, both are blessed with searing pace.
But Shearer, a Queensland Origin legend, said it would be more than speed that gets Tabuai-fidow and company up and running.
It was a confidence factor, and comfort in the knowledge they had made it to the team – age was now irrelevant.
“I’ll never forget when Kerry Boustead came to shake my hand and wish me the best, at that time he was playing Origin and Australia,” Shearer recalled.
“In that moment you want to dominate and that’s something where when he shook my hand I said ‘I’m taking your spot mate’.
“That was me, and I think at that level you have to have that, just that hunger and mentality – not just I’m young and the baby here, you want to get out there and do the best for yourself.
“I was loving it, I was relishing in the moment and couldn’t wait to get out there. “My go was to get out there first tackle I could and have a run, didn’t matter if it was three metres.
“The more you wait the more the nerves settle in, just get involved as soon as possible.”
While rugby league has evolved, speed has remained an important trait for a successful fullback or winger, Shearer said.
When the 26-game Maroons champion played, once he “saw open space it was try time”.
Tabuai-fidow appears no different, however Shearer said anticipation would be a crucial characteristic if he is to make a strong transition into the custodian role.
“You need to be able to read the game for sure, the first thing I was doing was picking out who their kickers were so you could monitor where they were heading,” he said.
“You can read that on the third or fourth tackle, they’ve got to be able to do that stuff and not wait for last and see where it goes.
“You have to watch them, you have to keep the eye on the kickers and see where they’re standing in the background two or three plays before.”