Phil Gould asserts that Reece Walsh’s “over-enthusiastic” approach and desire to showcase himself as an Origin player have cost him a spot in the squad. The former NSW Origin coach believes that Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who was selected as Queensland’s fullback for the series-deciding match, will blend seamlessly with the Maroons’ playmakers. He suggests that Tabuai-Fidow could be key to their success.
Following a foot injury to Kalyn Ponga, Queensland coach Billy Slater had to make a critical choice: to move Tabuai-Fidow from the wing to fullback or to bring Walsh back into the lineup. Slater opted for the former and made the surprising decision to call up rugby league veteran Gehamat Shibasaki for his Origin debut.
Gould gave credit to the selection of Tabuai-Fidow, praising his recent performances with the Dolphins, where he has demonstrated remarkable skill and speed. He noted that while Walsh has a tendency to take risks, which may not suit the team’s current needs, Tabuai-Fidow offers a different style of play that complements their strategy.
Gould explained that Slater’s approach seems geared toward leveraging the talents of established playmakers like Cameron Munster and Harry Grant. He feels that having a more conservative fullback, who can exploit opportunities created by the forwards, will be more beneficial in this scenario.
Tabuai-Fidow, who performed well at both centre and wing during the series, has shown exceptional form as a fullback for the Dolphins, recently scoring four tries in a single match against South Sydney. His performance has solidified his position at the top of the NRL try-scoring leaderboard.
In contrast, Walsh has faced challenges since returning from a knee injury, impacting his form. Gould applauded Slater for prioritising the selection of a fullback who can capitalise on the playmaking skills of his teammates rather than one who might feel pressured to create plays himself.
Ultimately, Gould believes that if Queensland’s key players can establish control over the game, Tabuai-Fidow has the potential to turn opportunities into decisive points. He is confident that the selection will prove beneficial, calling it an “inspired choice.”