Why was Walsh not picked? Because ‘The Hammer’ can break the Blues apart

6 days ago 3

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has vowed to repay the faith of Maroons coach Billy Slater in bestowing him with the fullback jumper, despite the calls for Reece Walsh to be parachuted back into the State of Origin fold.

Walsh appeared destined to respond to a Slater SOS for game three, after returning to the Brisbane Broncos from a knee injury and starring for three straight weeks.

However, on the eve of selections, Tabuai-Fidow burst to life for the Dolphins in light of incumbent Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga’s Lisfranc concern, scoring four tries against South Sydney to claim the No.1 jersey.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will start at fullback in State of Origin for the first time.

“Obviously with KP going down there was a fullback spot open, and it was in the back of my mind, but I didn’t think too much of it,” Tabuai-Fidow said.

“I just wanted to go out and play footy, and play the footy that I know. With it being my 100th game, I thought about that more than I did about the fullback spot in Queensland.

“Having my family there made it even more special to go out and put on the performance that I did.

“It’s a big confidence boost for me, getting that call saying I will be in that No.1 spot. Just the faith he [Slater] has in me, it’s obviously special when someone has faith in you.”

Pundits south of the border were left perplexed as to why Walsh was not ushered into the starting team, rather than be named at 18th man as he has been.

“Walshy’s a freak, I think the type of player he is and what he can do on the field is pretty special,” Tabuai-Fidow said.

“We’re different types of players, and we can sort of pick off each other and I think that’s the good thing.”

Commentary around the decision included the X-factor Walsh brings sweeping wide in backline play, which has resulted in four try assists and five line-break assists in triumphs of the Titans, Sharks and Warriors.

But a look at how the Maroons tweaked their game plan from their game one defeat at Suncorp Stadium offers hints as to why Tabuai-Fidow – arguably in career-best form – got the nod.

“It’s well-deserved for him. We all know what Hammer can do at the back there. Hammer will be around the ruck wherever he can.”

Maroons forward Jeremiah Nanai on Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Aside from his game-breaking speed, The Hammer’s support play has been a trademark of his dominant Dolphins’ campaign – with only Blues’ counterpart Dylan Edwards and Maroons debutant Gehamat Shibasaki credited with more supporting runs this year among the Origin contingent.

The 24-year-old is constantly seen lurking near halfback Isaiya Katoa in the middle of the field, a move he declared he would replicate following the injection of prop Josh Papalii.

It is a gameplan New South Wales may also seek to exploit, given prop Payne Haas sits second in the competition for offloads (42), making Tabuai-Fidow’s ability to capitalise on their chances crucial.

“We know what he can do, and I’ll always be sniffing around him,” Tabuai-Fidow warned, “because you never know what can happen when he does carry the ball.”

In game two, particularly in their dominant first half in which they headed into the break leading 26-6, the Maroons employed a far more direct attack than the series opener.

Game one halfback Daly Cherry-Evans appeared eager to shift the ball wide where Ponga has proven so lethal at clubland, only to be shut down by Blues centres Stephen Crichton and Latrell Mitchell.

His replacement Tom Dearden – who sits third in the NRL for line engagements (100) posed more questions through the middle, and triggered tries to Kurt Capewell and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

Hooker Harry Grant’s sharp run from dummy-half put Cameron Munster over to score.

That direct approach is an area five-eighth Munster will no doubt seek to exploit, who has become one of the game’s leading ball-running halves through defensive traffic, and intends to play on despite the tragic news of his father’s passing.

The skipper left Maroons camp to be with his family, with Walsh training in his place, but is expected to line up for Wednesday night’s decider.

“It hits everyone hard, you don’t know what’s around the corner so you’ve got to be nice and present and take the good moments that you have,” Grant, who knew his family well from their time in Rockhampton, said.

“I’ve had plenty of moments and experiences with the family over the years. What we can control is our performance, and that’s the best way we can pay respect to the family.

“When you think about it, Cameron Munster captaining Queensland brings so much pride to the whole of his family, and Steve would love to see him out there in the Maroon captaining his state.

“It’s very brave the way he’s handling the situation.”