Hammer’s time: Why Slater picked Dolphin over Walsh
Joel Gould |
Billy Slater bided his time before making the Queensland No.1 jersey his own and the Maroons coach says Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s time is now.
The Dolphins flyer edged out Brisbane star and new Maroons 18th man Reece Walsh for the coveted starting fullback position in the wake of injury to Kalyn Ponga.
Next Wednesday night’s State of Origin decider in Sydney will be Tabuai-Fidow’s first as a starting No.1 for the Maroons after playing mostly centre in his previous nine outings.
Slater, who started his Origin career on the wing, said the 23-year-old speedster known as “Hammer” deserved his jersey.
He has been in stellar form for the Broncos in his three matches since returning from a knee injury but Slater said he made the call on what was “the right fit for the footy team right now”.
“Hammer deserves his opportunity to play in the No.1 jersey. He has played centre for us and played on the wing for us,” Slater said.
“It’s not so much about the temptation (to pick Walsh), it’s about what feel is right for the footy team.
“I know it’s a great discussion and people will be talking about it. I don’t think you can make a wrong decision there.
“Reece is a great player, there is no one more proud than me seeing Reece back on the field doing what he is doing. It is a great luxury to have them both in camp.”
Tabuai-Fidow has scored 15 tries in 14 games this season with a four-try effort his latest in a 50-28 win over South Sydney on Saturday.
He arrived in camp on Monday on the Sunshine Coast buoyed by his selection and keen to apply Slater-like habits in his game.
“It is just his work off the ball. His defence was pretty good and his work ethic as well. I want to put that into my game and make my game better,” Tabuai-Fidow said.
“He was one of the greatest fullbacks so to learn off him and pick his brain is going to be good.
“It’s pretty surreal. Just knowing I have the No.1 on my back is a special feeling and I am excited.
“When (Slater) rang me and said I would be in the squad at fullback I was over the moon.”
Walsh won’t play unless activated but the Maroons know only too well that is more than a real possibility. Last year in game one Walsh was illegally taken out, forcing a reshuffle and the use of 18th man Felise Kaufusi.
The Broncos whiz can also play in the halves, making him an ideal 18th man.
“That’s what you have to look at for that 18th man spot, what if this happens or that happens. You need to be able to cover as many spots as possible,” Slater said.
The coach also made it clear he had no lingering doubts over Walsh’s knee injury, ruling that out as a reason why Tabuai-Fidow was preferred.
“Reece wouldn’t be here if he was injured. He is in a great spot,” he said.
“I’ve had that injury, I know how it is and how it feels. It was a purely a decision around who is best for the position at the time.”
AAP
