By Murray Wenzel
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow now knows what it’s like to be on the end of a Wayne Bennett spray.
And the Dolphins’ first-choice fullback loves it.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s central goal to nail down the No.1 position, rather than balance a range of roles as he did at the Cowboys.Credit:Getty
The Cairns speedster was recruited from North Queensland, where he was used in a variety of positions and eventually made to come off the bench after 50 games across three seasons.
But the Queensland State of Origin centre has relished Bennett’s endorsement as the new club’s No.1, and is fit again after an ankle he injured while playing for Samoa in October’s World Cup required surgery.
“It means a lot, coming from him,” Tabuai-Fidow said ahead of Sunday’s pre-season clash with Gold Coast at Redcliffe.
“(Considering) all the stuff he’s done in the game, having that trust in me puts confidence in myself to play that fullback role.”
Even after the seven-time title-winning coach delivers a blast like the one he unleashed on the squad at Thursday’s training?
“That does do the boys good, getting a spray,” the 21-year-old said.
“It’s a matter of how you handle it.
“It’s not a bad spray; he wants to make you better and it drives you.
“The way he speaks, everyone zones in and the confidence in the way he speaks gives the boys a clear mindset on how we want to play.“
The self-confessed country boy admits he does miss north Queensland but says the Redcliffe club is developing a strong culture of their own.
His central goal to nail down the No.1, rather than balance a range of roles as he did at the Cowboys, is keeping him focused.
“There are other fullbacks here (in the squad), but it’s good healthy competition and as training’s gone on I’ve got better in that role,” he said.
“I do want to keep that for the whole season because it makes my job easier to focus on one position and where I can get better.”
– AAP
