Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has been left puzzled by Billy Slater’s decision to shift Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to the wing ahead of a must-win clash in Perth.
According to Code Sports, Tabuai-Fidow has been named on the wing in a bid to dampen the attacking exploits of Blues flyer Zac Lomax.
The 23-year-old has already played nine games for the Maroons, but he is yet to feature on the wing, playing at fullback under Woolf for the NRL newcomers.
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Woolf questioned Slater’s decision, with Valentine Holmes the man to shift into the now vacant centre spot.
“It’s certainly not a position we’ll look at playing him here,” Woolf said.
“I’m not sure what the idea is. I think he’s a fullback, that’s his best position. He’s done a great job in the rep arena as a centre.
“I’m not in those camps so I won’t talk about selections. He’s a talented footy player. We all know that.”
Tabuai-Fidow, meanwhile, had no concerns about his positional switch.
“It wasn’t good losing in Game One, but I can be a lot better in this game and I’m excited to get another chance,” he said.
“I don’t mind moving to the wing. If I get space, I can use my speed and I can get the ball back quickly on kick returns.
“I was pretty quiet (in Origin I). I didn’t get too much clean ball.”
TOIA DECLARES WAR IN LATRELL BATTLE
Queensland rookie Robert Toia has declared he will “do whatever it takes” to stop Latrell Mitchell in his tracks to help the Maroons win in Game II.
The 20-year-old was one of Billy Slater’s shining lights in his debut in the series opener, and according to Code Sports was an automatic selection for the Perth clash.
With the threat of Mitchell looming ahead of Game I, many were of the belief the Rabbitohs gun would tear through his inexperienced counterpart who instead stood tall.
Once again, Toai declared he will make sure he keeps Mitchell quiet.
“I have to stop him again,” Toia said.
“Not only for myself and the team but the state of Queensland. I will do whatever it takes.”
However, the rising star is also under no illusions Mitchell will be desperate to get the best of him in Game II.
“Everyone knows who Latrell is and what he can do,” he said.
“I was in awe to be matched up against him. It was pretty special and the little kid in me was cheering.
“I was just trying to focus on what I can do. I looked up to Latrell and I still do, but I wasn’t nervous to be honest.
“I got reassurance from Billy (Slater, Queensland coach) and the Maroons boys kept telling me I can do the job and handle Latrell. That settled my nerves.”
BLUES’ GOLF DAY TO WELCOME LUAI
Jarome Luai has wasted no time settling in to camp, joining his NSW teammates for a round of golf at the Leura Golf Club, located at their Fairmont Resort base.
Luai was called on to replace Mitchell Moses after the first choice five-eighth went down with a calf injury, with the Tigers gun arriving at training on Thursday evening.
The Blues had a day off on Friday before they will return to Sydney and train at Olympic Park on Saturday before flying to Perth later that afternoon.
However, Luai was clearly not overwhelmed by the task at hand he’s been given at short notice, enjoying his day on the course.
He played alongside former teammates Spencer Leniu, Brian To’o and Stephen Crichton as well as Storm enforcer Stefano Utoikamanu.
The five-man group also filmed their golfing exploits with a GoPro, according to Code Sports.
CARRIGAN OPENS UP ON BENCH ROLE
Demoted Maroons star Pat Carrigan has responded to his new bench role after he was surprisingly dumped from the lock position in favour of Trent Loiero for Origin II.
The Courier Mail reported Carrigan believes his demotion to the bench is more about making an impact when he gets on than being punished for Queensland’s poor start in game one.
Statistically, Carrigan was one of Queensland’s best players in the series opener, chalking up a game-high 53 tackles to go with 16 runs for 139 metres.
But Queensland’s pack was criticised for their lack of fire as the Blues cruised to a 18-6 victory, which would have been much more had they not had an off night with their goal kicking.
Asked if Queensland’s forwards took offence at the criticism, Carrigan said: “Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Forwards go a long way towards winning the games and it is an area we need to be a lot better.
“I won’t touch on it too much but I think it is about getting the best out of each other as a team and creating a bit of havoc when I get on the field.
“They (NSW) definitely won the ruck when you look back at it.
“Our discipline was pretty poor and I was there at the start of the events.
“When you give the opposition so much footy you make it hard for yourself.
“The effort was always there but it’s just our starts that let us down.”
Queensland legend Corey Parker called on the Queensland pack and Carrigan to offer more in a bid to save the series.
“I’d like to see Patty fire up and make a difference,” Parker said.
“I don’t think any of the forwards had their best Origin games in game one.
“I’m sure Pat has a point to prove — he’s shown before he can have an impact off the bench in Origin.”
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DALEY’S CHEEKY LUAI SLEDGE
NSW State of Origin coach Laurie Daley delivered a hilarious sledge at his incoming five-eighth Jarome Luai, who is confident he can deliver for the Blues in Perth.
Luai, 28, was called up to wear the No.6 jersey after Mitchell Moses suffered a calf injury, receiving a phone call from Frank Ponissi on Thursday to inform him of the news.
Daley was asked when he believed Luai, who had been training with the Tigers when being informed of his selection, would arrive at the Blues’ Blue Mountains base.
“I’m assuming we’ll hear him before we see him,” Daley said with an air of confidence.
That same confidence allowed him to make the decision to call on last year’s series-winning five-eighth, instead of promoting 18th man Matt Burton to the halves.
It also won’t be lost on by the Maroons, who would desperately have been hoping Moses’ omission caused instability within the NSW camp.
Instead, Luai is a hopeful he can “repay that faith” placed in him by the Blues coaching staff after he was a key figure in NSW’s comeback series win in 2024.
“I just got flogged on the field, just got off the training paddock and Loz (Laurie) and Frank Ponissi gave me a buzz,” Luai said to reporters on Thursday.
“Really excited and grateful for the opportunity, I know there was a few options there he could have went with but he went with me.
“I will make sure I repay that faith.”
Daley explained on Thursday that Luai simply said “sweet, I’m ready to go” when called upon before doubling down on that belief when speaking to reporters.
“I’ve done the work, I’ve been here before, I know what it takes,” Luai said.
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“We’ve got a good squad, so I just need to do my job and give the other boys confidence as well.”
Luai’s Tigers side went down to the Panthers in Round 14, the team he won four premierships with before making the move to the merger club.
It was the first time Luai and former halves partner Nathan Cleary had faced off in the NRL, but now he’s simply happy to be once again working alongside the superstar No.7.
“It’s a bit weird playing against them a couple of days ago now, but now I get the opportunity to run out alongside him and the other Penrith boys as well,” Luai said.
“Spencer (Leniu), Critta (Crichton) and Bizza (To’o) as well. They are a big motivation of mine to be here in the first place, so I can’t wait.”
