Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow set to fire for QLD in Origin opener as Maroons plan for life without Cameron Munster

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is back to top speed after a hamstring strain and says he’s ready to help fire Queensland to a third consecutive State of Origin series win.

The sight of Melbourne and Maroons talisman Cameron Munster writhing in agony while clutching his groin on Sunday was a dagger to Queensland coach Billy Slater’s heart, but the performance of Tabuai-Fidow for the Dolphins would no doubt have warmed it.

The man known as Hammer returned from a month-long absence to score two tries, run for 224m and generally create havoc in a 24-12 win over Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium. One of his tries was an 80m effort.

In a pleasing development for the Maroons, the way he moved through the gears to top pace was effortless and exhilarating ahead of the State of Origin series opener on June 5 in Sydney.

The Queensland side will be named next Monday with Tabuai-Fidow having one NRL game away to the Warriors on Sunday to get through.

“The hammy feels good,” Tabuai-Fidow said.

“I had that four weeks off ... and that helped my hammy settle down and get back to where I wanted it to be.

“ I worked hard on it and showed out there that I am back to 100 per cent.

“I felt confident to obviously make a break and go at the speed that I was going at.

“Obviously I’m keen if I do get the Queensland call. I’ll get two games under my belt which is good for my hammy and myself as well.”

Tabuai-Fidow played all three Origin games at centre in last year’s 2-1 series win.

“I debuted at centre so I’m pretty comfortable and confident with that position at that level,” Tabuai-Fidow said.

“It’s obviously more defending than it is at fullback, but I don’t mind that side of the game.”

The injury to Munster is bad enough but the Maroons are also without injured middle forwards Tino Fa’asuamalaeui, Tom Gilbert and Thomas Flegler.

“I think whoever puts on that Queensland jersey will do a good job,” Tabuai-Fidow said.

“I’m pretty keen to see how the team turns out and obviously we have big names out, but whoever’s going to put on the jersey, I know is going to put 100 per cent into it as well.

“To win three series in a row will be good for us and the state as well.”

Tabuai-Fidow praised the performance of rookie Trai Fuller at No.1 for the Dolphins in the month that he was on the sidelines.

“I take my hat off to him,” Tabuai-Fidow said.

“He was really good for us and put a little bit of pressure on me.

“He’s a freaky little player so he obviously can do the job at this level.”