Dolphins speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is hoping his team learn from their ‘slow’ starts the past two weeks and can build after claiming their first win of the season.
A second half turnaround was led from the back by Tabuai-Fidow, who helped the Dolphins claim their opening win at Suncorp Stadium, a comeback 18-14 effort over the Titans to close out Round 2.
Tabuai-Fidow talks his match-winning plays
The fast-stepping fullback switched into gear in the second half to set up his side’s momentum-turning try with a runaway line break, before scoring the match-winner after out-leaping his opposite number - an impressive Keano Kini - to bring down a Isaiya Katoa kick. The Hammer also ran for 325 metres with six tackle breaks while he also defused five kicks.
“It’s obviously good scoring tries and that try ended up (helping) to win the game, it's a pretty special one," Tabuai-Fidow said.
“We started a bit slow and sort of had to get something and score that try so it was good.
“It's only early rounds and it was it was a bit of a slow start last week into this week, but I think once we find our feet, we'll be a hard team to beat, so I'm excited.
“We're just a bit slow at the moment, but it's stuff we can work on at training, and I think once we put it together, we'll be pretty special this year.
“I think we look to play our hand up a bit too early and we just need to work on those hard bits of the game and once we get into that groove, then we can start throwing the footy around.
“I think just at the start, we're going a bit sideways and I think once we punch down to the middle and get that game speed and what we need to get out of it, it's good for us.”
The team’s sluggish performance early on - compounded by nine first half errors - ran parallel to his own form, coming into the year with no pre-season games under his belt as he overcame firstly a PCL injury sustained in the Pacific Championships, while a shoulder knock saw him sit out the All Stars game.
“I sort of had to go out there and play the way I know I can play, so that obviously gets my confidence up," Tabuai-Fidow said.
“Just getting early touches and just finding the game and getting that feel for the game, I think that's a big thing for myself to play my game as well.”
All Tries - Dolphins v Titans - Round 2, 2026
Next up, the Dolphins travel down to Ocean Protect Stadium to take on the Sharks, with Tabuai-Fidow - whose often celebrates his tries by showcasing his Torres Strait Island shark totem - admitting he was prepared for a tough encounter.
“It's a hostile place,” Tabuai-Fidow said.
“To get that win there (will be hard) and for us going down next week, (we need) just to build on what we need to build on and it'll be a pretty a pretty special game.”
Round 3 is also a special round in the NRL, with Tabuai-Fidow - who has elected to make himself available to represent his Samoa heritage at this year’s Rugby League World Cup – saying he was looking forward to the Multicultural Round celebrations.
“It's big in the NRL, you look across the game, there's a lot of multicultural players in the game.
“It's a special one, everyone's proud of where they come from and who they represent as well.
“It's always special round.”
Match: Sharks v Dolphins
Round 3 -
home Team
Sharks
7th Position
away Team
Dolphins
9th Position
Venue: Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
