Tabuai-Fidow fit for Origin III as clubs rest stars

Scott Bailey

AAP

3 Min Read28 Jun, 2024

The Maroons' HamisoTabuai-Fidow (right) scored a try but was also injured during Origin II. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been cleared to play in State of Origin III for Queensland, but will join at least 10 other NSW and Maroons stars on the sidelines in round 17.

Scans on Friday confirmed Tabuai-Fidow suffered a grade-one AC joint injury in Queensland’s Origin II loss, hurt in the first half of the MCG defeat.

He will miss the Dolphins’ clash with St George Illawarra on Saturday, and won’t play again before Origin III, given the club’s round-18 bye.

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But the news is largely good for Queensland, with Dolphins officials expecting the flyer to be available to line up for the decider at Suncorp Stadium on July 17.

Tabuai-Fidow is just one part of a lengthy list of missing stars for round 17.

Brisbane and North Queensland have each confirmed they will rest their Origin players from matches against the Warriors and Penrith respectively.

It means Reece Walsh, Patrick Carrigan and Payne Haas will miss the Broncos’ crucial trip to Auckland.

For the Cowboys the impact is even greater, with Reece Robson, Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai to all miss their blockbuster against Penrith.

“I had always intended to give those guys one game off throughout this Origin period,” coach Todd Payten said.

“Given they played in Melbourne, they’ve been away from home for 13 of the past 15 days, I think it’s important they spend some time with their family.

“There are a couple of bumps and bruises. Reuben is very stiff and sore around the neck and has to have another test for a HIA clearance.

“Murray hurt his shoulder in that first game, so he is really sore. The other boys are just a little flat.”

Penrith will wait until Saturday before deciding whether to play their five NSW Origin players, who were not due back at the club until late Friday.

The Sydney Roosters can also wait until Saturday to make a call on their four Origin players’ availability against Wests Tigers.

St George Illawarra are hopeful Zac Lomax will be able to play on his injured knee against the Dolphins, while Ben Hunt and Jaydn Su’A are expected to be fine.

Xavier Coates is set to play for Melbourne against Canberra on Saturday, but Harry Grant is less likely after not training on Friday.

And Parramatta will have Mitch Moses back up against Newcastle on Saturday, after the high of his man-of-the-match performance for NSW in Melbourne.

EACH STATE OF ORIGIN PLAYER’S ROUND-17 AVAILABILITY

Dylan Edwards: Decision due Saturday

Brian To’o: Decision due Saturday

Latrell Mitchell: Bye

Stephen Crichton: Expected to play

Zac Lomax: In doubt

Jarome Luai: Decision due Saturday

Mitch Moses: Playing

Jake Trbojevic: Bye

Reece Robson: Out