Four-try Hammer's hand up to join Maroons fullback club
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has backed up his actions by declaring himself ready to be the next Queensland fullback as coach Billy Slater mulls his options for the State of Origin decider.
Kalyn Ponga's foot injury suffered on Friday night has ruled the Newcastle No.1 out of next Wednesday's third game in Sydney.
The contenders queued on Saturday, with 2024 custodian Reece Walsh in fine form for Brisbane before Dolphins whiz Tabuai-Fidow scored four times in his 100th NRL game to oust South Sydney.
Walsh has battled soreness in his heavily strapped knee to stake his claims in what would be a straight swap with Ponga.
STOP... Hammer time 🔨 pic.twitter.com/EKerBaJzY2
— The Dolphins (@dolphinsnrl) June 28, 2025
But the other option would be to shift Tabuai-Fidow and call in North Queensland winger Murray Taulagi.
Tabuai-Fidow has scored 11 tries in nine games for Queensland but played either centre or wing in all of those.
Slater will name his squad on Monday, when they will again gather at their Sunshine Coast training base.
"To have that No.1 on my back, would be super special for me," Tabuai-Fidow said after his sizzling milestone performance.
"You think about the players that have worn that No.1 jersey (before me) and given it all.
"It's a bit of chop and change (after playing centre and wing already this series) but I'm comfortable with it; it's my preferred and a good opportunity for me after playing fullback at club-land week in, week out."
Walsh has played five Origins, all at fullback, and won the backing of his Broncos teammates after their third-straight win on Saturday.
"His knee looked good, he's done the work, ready to go and there's an opportunity," Brisbane and Maroons forward Pat Carrigan said.
"He's growing; he's still only 22 or whatever but he's playing tough for us and we're really appreciating what he's doing.
"He does what he does and they try to nail him every week so I know he'll be up for it."
Walsh copped some heavy attention in last year's Origin series and Blues prop Haas, fresh off playing alongside him on Saturday, said nothing would change if he was recalled.
"It's State of Origin, you go after each other," he said.
"One hundred per cent, he can do a job for them and he should be there."
The Blues muted Queensland in an 18-6 win in Brisbane before the Maroons held off a NSW comeback to win 26-24 in Perth to level the series.
"It'll be free flowing, the lungs will be burning and it'll be on," Carrigan said.
"Decider footy, well and truly a cracking game."
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