Fuller recalled for derby as Dolphins switch Hammer
Joel Gould |
The Dolphins will unleash pocket rocket Trai Fuller at fullback and switch Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to centre for the blockbuster clash with Brisbane.
It’s a back to the future move by coach Kristian Woolf forced upon him by the loss of centre Max Feagai to injury.
Last year former coach Wayne Bennett made a late switch for the derby when he did the exact same thing with Fuller and Tabuai-Fidow.
The man known as “Hammer” had a blinder at centre and scored two tries while recalled Fuller was electrifying at the back.
Saturday night’s clash at Suncorp Stadium will be Fuller’s first game this year in the NRL after returning from an ACL injury.
He has been playing well in the Queensland Cup for both CQ Capras and the Redcliffe Dolphins.
“Trai has done a terrific job on himself with his injury and come out the other end really well,” Woolf said.
“Like all guys that come back from a knee recon, it does take a little while to get back into playing footy and get your full confidence.
“It took a couple of weeks playing Queensland Cup but the last couple of games he’s played he started to look like the old Trai and have a real influence on the game. He helped Redcliffe win a couple of games.
“Everyone loves playing with Trai because of how brave and committed he is.
“He will do his absolute best in every moment and put his body on the line.”
Bennett last year was at his brilliant best as a coach. He also moved Jake Averillo to five-eighth ahead of the thrashing of the Broncos and he had his best game of the season.
In the lead-up Bennett held a short training session that was watched by media where he had the players in their regular formation and not the one that took the field. It was a cunning plot that caught the Broncos by surprise.
They weren’t ready for this late switch either with Broncos back-rower Jordan Riki vowing on Wednesday to go after Tabuai-Fidow in his customary fullback position with his kick-chase.
Now Riki will be right up close to Tabuai-Fidow in his centre role.
Fuller’s natural position is No.1 and Tabuai-Fidow has carved up for Queensland in the centres.
The loss of star centre Herbie Farnworth to a hamstring injury means the positional switch makes sense as the eighth-placed Dolphins aim to put last week’s 64-12 loss to Sydney Roosters to bed and bounce back.
“Hammer is a team player. He’s happy to put his hand up and change positions because he knows it’s best for the team,” Woolf said.
“We know we can trust him and he’ll do a good job.
“There’s no ego that needs to be put aside.
“It’s a simple matter of me pointing out where we sit as a team and asking him if that was something he was happy to do.
“The answer was ‘yes, no dramas’.”
AAP
