‘Freaky’: Hammer backs Fuller to nail it in Phinland
Joel Gould |
The fact pocket rocket Trai Fuller is replacing him for the Dolphins makes star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow feel relieved in Queensland camp.
Meanwhile, Dolphins winger Tevita Naufahu has revealed why the team steps up to the challenge when without their bevy of representative stars.
The third-placed Dolphins are without five State of Origin players for Sunday’s away clash with Newcastle. Thomas Flegler, Max Plath, Selwyn Cobbo and Tabuai-Fidow are with the Maroons and Jack Bostock is in camp with NSW.
Fuller, who recently inked a one-year extension at the Dolphins, will play in Tabuai-Fidow’s regular fullback spot against the Knights.
Fuller has already shone in Dolphins victories without their Origin guns this year, a 30-22 away win over Canberra, a 48-10 home triumph over Sydney Roosters and the 36-22 away win over Wests Tigers.
“I have a lot of belief and trust in Trai and know all the boys do as well,” Tabuai-Fidow said.
“When he does come up and play NRL he does some freaky stuff.
“It is just his determination. He is only a small fella but he runs through blokes and puts his body on the line. That is what is special about him.”
The Dolphins members of the Maroons squad sat together to cheer their side to victory while in Melbourne for game two of the Origin series, much to the chagrin of the Roosters contingent.
“There is no better feeling, particularly when they are playing against the teams of the other boys in the squad. We give shit to each other but it is fun,” Tabuai-Fidow, known as “Hammer”, grinned.
“It just shows the team we have got and the depth we have as well. They all turn up when it is their turn to go. It is always a proud moment when the boys do get a win.”
Dolphins winger Tevita Naufahu has been electrifying whenever he has been called up, in this instance to replace Cobbo on the wing.
“I personally love a challenge,” Naufahu said.
“When top players like that go away it makes us want to work hard and back up what they’ve done before us.”
Naufahu, 20, has learned plenty from star winger Jamayne Isaako who will leave for Melbourne next year and open a spot for him to snare.
“He was (an inspiration),” Naufahu said.
“I remember in school seeing him score tries, so to be able to play on the same team as him … and especially me being a winger, he helps me a lot.”
On contract until the end of next year, Naufahu wants to stay beyond that. The Dolphins will back him to take on Isaako’s role in 2027 and that is a massive boost to his confidence.
“I think when a player like that leaves, you set yourself a bigger challenge and want the club to trust you,” Naufahu said.
“Jamayne definitely backs us younger boys too, so it’s good to be around that.”
The Dolphins, already without co-captain Isaiya Katoa (wrist), also won’t have tough forward Ray Stone (shoulder) for the trip to the Knights. He will be replaced on the bench by Sebastian Su’a.
AAP