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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n When Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow made his way into Maroons camp, fresh off producing a miraculous try-saving tackle on Kurt Capewell, he made a beeline for his Queensland teammate.<\/p>\n \u201cI had a chat to him when we first got in, but there wasn\u2019t too much \u2013 I just told him \u2018don\u2019t step into me again\u2019,\u201d Tabuai-Fidow laughed.<\/p>\n There is every chance Tabuai-Fidow will end next season as a State of Origin legend, and yet somehow, he\u2019s still viewed as underrated.<\/p>\n Few can match the Maroons strike weapon for speed, with his mentor Matt Bowen famously once saying no one will ever know how fast \u2018the Hammer\u2019 is \u2013 he is simply as quick as he needs to be in whatever situation.<\/p>\n But when the Dolphins conquered the New Zealand Warriors on the eve of game three State of Origin selections, Tabuai-Fidow showcased just how much he had evolved.<\/p>\n Capewell appeared certain to score the first try of the afternoon, only for Tabuai-Fidow to flip the veteran forward on his back, hold him up, and force an error.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n It is a play he has emulated at least seven times this year, while his covering defence has proven equally critical in keeping the Dolphins in the hunt.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n It led his coach Kristian Woolf to declare \u201chis consistency throughout the year in terms of saving tries and putting himself in that position \u2026 his defensive game\u2019s improved exceptionally\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Tabuai-Fidow said it was an aspect of his game he\u2019s worked hard to improve.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s pretty cool scoring tries, but in the preseason we worked on defence \u2013 it\u2019s something we needed to work on as a team. I\u2019m the last line of defence, and I had to work on that part and get my tackle technique [right],\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve obviously grown in that department, but there are still bits to go.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n While Tabuai-Fidow made his name for his speed and support play \u2013 and has strengthened his body to be a more imposing runner through defensive traffic \u2013 he has added several layers to his game.<\/p>\n He has become a genuinely lethal aerial threat, suggesting that while his Dolphins teammate and soon-to-be NSW rival Jack Bostock<\/a> was taller, he had the leap to get over the 194-centimetre debutant.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Tabuai-Fidow\u2019s seven-try assists so far this year are also a career-best.<\/p>\n \u201cHe had a really good preseason \u2013 he came in fit, got fitter, there were some things he wanted to work on and that was how he could assist other people to find points,\u201d Woolf said.<\/p>\n Related Article \u201cWe know that when he gets an opportunity, he doesn\u2019t miss, but him just adding that to his game makes a big difference to our team.\u201d<\/p>\n Tabuai-Fidow\u2019s close friend and Maroons teammate, Murray Taulagi, added: \u201cHis maturity throughout the game has been developing the more games he plays.<\/p>\n \u201cWhenever he performs well, we seem to go well.\u201d<\/p>\n Tabuai-Fidow\u2019s versatility has ensured he rarely played in the No.1 jumper for Queensland. Last year, he played centre, wing and fullback across the three games, leading Origin great Greg Inglis to declare his rugby league IQ needed to be studied.<\/a><\/p>\n Tabuai-Fidow\u2019s try-scoring exploits have thrust him to the cusp of history \u2013 just four shy of equalling Inglis\u2019 all-time Origin record of 18. He is still just 24 years of age.<\/p>\n His willingness to inject into the contest has also improved drastically, having drawn criticism early last year for floating in and out of games. In 2026, his 178 average running metres a game has come with just six linebreaks, and is a career-best figure, as are his touches of the football (37.42).<\/p>\n<\/p>\n And yet, when the topic of the game\u2019s best fullback rolls around, Tabuai-Fidow\u2019s name doesn\u2019t seem to be in the mix. Kalyn Ponga, Dylan Edwards, Tom Trbojvic, Reece Walsh and Tedesco are often the five thrown up.<\/p>\n It raises the question: is \u2018The Hammer\u2019 among the NRL\u2019s most underrated players?<\/p>\n Related Article \u201cI\u2019ll back that, I think he\u2019s underrated. He\u2019s one of the best, and his game compliments that \u2013 it\u2019s pretty self-explanatory,\u201d Dolphins winger Tevita Naufahu said,<\/a> who has fed off Tabuai-Fidow since before making his NRL debut last year.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s told me to just be confident under the high ball \u2013 I struggled with that in my first year, but coming here in my first year Hammer really helped me and taught me how to be a winger.<\/p>\n \u201cSince the start of preseason, he wanted to prove to us he\u2019s become a different level this year, and wants to pick his game up that extra step. The proof is in the pudding.\u201d<\/p>\n Woolf added: \u201cPossibly [he\u2019s underrated], I think the only reason that would be the case is because he is so versatile, and he\u2019s found himself playing more centres in Origin.<\/p>\n \u201cThe great thing about Hammer is he\u2019s happy and can play other positions, and does it really well. If that means he\u2019s a little bit undervalued, that\u2019s fine because he\u2019s certainly not undervalued to us.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Tabuai-Fidow will link up with Dolphins teammate Selwyn Cobbo once again on Queensland\u2019s left edge,<\/a> tasked with shutting down Blues counterpart Stephen Crichton \u2013 who is expected to swap sides of the field after Kotoni Staggs was axed in favour of Bradman Best.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a big body and a big threat, his attacking ability is up there,\u201d Tabuai-Fidow said of Crichton.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve obviously played and gone against him a couple of times, and I sort of know his game, the stuff I need to work on and the stuff I can bring out to try and expose him.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a talented player, but I\u2019m just focusing on myself, what I can do, and what I can bring.\u201d<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Hamiso](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/f8c5a01d850459c31dedb55571e0b00c4c04ce43.jpeg\")
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow celebrates a try. Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Pat](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1783368616_177_c0063ecf454e006fdacdf8396a8c9b16cd01e5a6ee54e91a8e1f78ca40052c27.jpeg\")
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