But according to Queensland coaching great Paul Vautin, Tabuai-Fidow’s inclusion gave the Maroons’ their biggest chance of wrestling back the Origin shield.
Vautin inspired the 1995 “Neville Nobodies” outfit to a shock triumph, and was adamant if the Maroons were to orchestrate a Brisbane boilover, they would need to ensure Tabuai-Fidow was used as much as possible.
Vautin revealed his preference would have been for Tabuai-Fidow to be chosen at fullback, with Valentine Holmes moving to centre and Kalyn Ponga reverting to the bench.
But he said the point of difference he would bring with his speed, and the way he was able to use it, would be the one challenge the Blues simply could not match, or defend.
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“To me, Hammer is the difference between the two teams because he’s got speed,” Vautin told this masthead.
“That speed of his is fantastic. Some players are fast, but it doesn’t relate to them on the footy field. He just glides across the field, and I think he can be the difference for us.
“If we make six breaks, we’ll be lucky – we would have worked hard for them. But if Hammer’s there on the outside cruising, we’re going to get six tries.”
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