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Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow feels a sense of duty to serve as a role model to the next generation of Indigenous talent.
That’s why when he made his move from the Cowboys to the Dolphins, he was quick to shut down assumptions that his famous shark celebration was recognition of his new club.
“At the start, it was a bit funny, and then I had to correct them because it’s my totem, and it’s something that I’m proud of,” he said.
“To show it on this stage, in this level of rugby league, it’s something pretty important.”
That duty is the higher purpose that drives The Hammer, who will be donning the Queensland Maroons jersey on Wednesday to launch the 2026 State of Origin series.
Wednesday also marks the start of National Reconciliation Week, a celebration of the 1967 referendum that allowed the Commonwealth to create laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and count them in the census.
Selwyn Cobbo, Ezra Mam and Gehamat Shibasaki will join Tabuai-Fidow in the Maroons jumper as representatives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
But Tabuai-Fidow’s approach has also taken inspiration from his childhood hero and later mentor, the North Queensland Cowboys great Matt Bowen.
“I give him a message every now and then. He actually rang me weeks ago, and it was good to hear his voice,” Tabuai-Fidow said of “Mango”.
“I go to him for help and what I can work on, and we’ve got a pretty good connection and friendship.
“[He’s taught me] to back myself, and all the stuff I can bring to the team. Just having him in that corner, it’s pretty special.”
Bowen has long been a leading advocate for First Nations players – a mantle Tabuai-Fidow is eager to carry as he links up with Cobbo to forge a lethal left edge.
“It’s obviously something that’s pretty big for me, being that role model and showing young Indigenous kids what they can do if they put their mind to it,” he said.
“It’s pretty special to have that cultural background, and to try and shape a better way and better life for the young Indigenous kids.”
Cobbo, who regularly returns to his hometown of Cherbourg, said he tried to give back to younger kids – both Indigenous and non-Indigenous.
“It’s always good for me to go back home, to refresh the brain and get away from the city and footy,” he said.
“I kick back in the family and refresh the mindset, and come back to Brissy ready to go.”
Tabuai-Fidow and Cobbo are expected to link up on the Maroons’ left edge, where they will likely be faced with New South Wales duo Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o.
The Queenslanders will be the faster pair, however the Blues duo have harboured a close friendship since their time at the Penrith Panthers, and typically play their best football beside each other.
Tabuai-Fidow has scored nine of his 11 Origin tries in the centres. His most famous was an individual effort to take a late lead in game one of 2023 while his side were reduced to 12 men after Thomas Flegler was sin-binned.
Should injuries force a Tabuai-Fidow reshuffle, the Maroons will have Shibasaki on the bench ready to fill the void, at a time when the Broncos centre is fighting for his future.
The 28-year-old is in line for a bumper payday as he comes off contract this year, having risen from being a Brisbane train and trialist last year to become a Maroons and Kangaroos representative, as well as an NRL premiership champion.
This year, however, his Origin call-up has been questioned, given his inconsistent form at clubland, which has already resulted in an early-season demotion to coach Michael Maguire’s bench.
“Nothing is guaranteed, I need to keep being on my toes. I just needed to get myself and body right and get back to how I was playing last year,” Shibasaki said.
He impressed in game three last year for the way he shut down Crichton, and he got the better of his opposite number again when the Broncos defeated the Bulldogs, dragging the Canterbury skipper into touch while defending on his own line.
Shibasaki has conceded he did not expect to receive a call from Maroons coach Billy Slater.
Should he be needed on Wednesday, the chance will beckon for him to get his campaign – and career – back on track, as he revealed signing with the Papua New Guinea Chiefs would be an option he would consider.
“I haven’t figured anything out yet. I’m just trying to play my footy. I let my manager sort all that out,” he said.
“I’ve got a family to look after, so that’s my main priority, but I have to let my footy do the talking before I can talk numbers.”
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