TABUAI-FIDOW IN RUNNING FOR NO. 1
COWBOYS flyer Hamiso TabuaiFidow is preparing for a rare shot at fullback, as the club waits to see how its State of Origin stars pull up from the series opener.
The 19-year-old whiz-kid made an emphatic statement on his return from injury, scoring a breathtaking solo try in North Queensland’s Indigenous Round victory over the Warriors.
He showed no signs of any lingering effects of the ankle injury which forced him from the field for six weeks, and now he is eyeing off making another good impression in his preferred position.
Under coach Todd Payten, TabuaiFidow has moved to the centres from his place on the wing that he occupied last year, in an attempt to get the speedster early ball in one-on-one situations.
However, the teenager said the coveted No.1 jersey was where he viewed his long-term future.
If star custodian Valentine Holmes is rested after his performance for Queensland on Wednesday night, Tabuai-fidow said he would seek to take the opportunity to prove his credentials at the back.
And against Manly powerhouse Tom Trbojevic, he has a daunting battle ahead in order to impress.
“At training today (Tuesday), I trained at fullback,” Tabuai-fidow said. “We are just waiting on does back up.
“If he does it’s good for us, but if he doesn’t I’ll be at fullback. It is my preferred position and I’m pretty keen to play out the back there again.
“The way he (Trbojevic) is playing at the back there, it’s unreal and good for Manly. He’s their go-to in attack.
“With me, if I do get that chance at fullback I’ll be looking for the ball. I do get it more at fullback, and I’m just keen for if I do get that chance, I’ll take it with both hands.”
Tabuai-fidow said the effects of his ankle injury were well behind him, courtesy of his rehabilitation work alongside Ash Graham.
Such was the adrenaline he felt in the aftermath of his Indigenous if Val
Round heroics before the bye, the young gun said it took him some time to settle into the week off.
However, he said now that he was refreshed again there was nothing holding him back from a committed showing against the Sea Eagles.
“My ankle pulled up sweet after the game so I’m happy with how my rehab went,” Tabuai-fidow said.
“I felt 100 per cent out there, (and) having the bye to give the body a rest, I’m ready to get out there.
“It was just a good feeling running with the ball. Val saw the open space and I didn’t worry too much about my ankle. I just knew going into the game it was 100 per cent, and scoring that try with the home crowd behind us was an unbelievable feeling.”