A dazzling display from their entire backline led the Indigenous All Stars to a dominant win over the Māori side in Townsville, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow saying even he would be afraid of facing off against them.
Playing back in Townsville in front of a ‘home’ crowd, the former North Queensland Cowboy, Josh Addo-Carr and debutant Alofiana Khan-Pereira combined for all four of the Indigenous tries.
“I think that we're blackfellas out there playing footy, we did it in the backyard growing up,” said Tabuai-Fidow, who had five tackle breaks in the 22-14 win.
“We just go out there and play footy for our mob, for our culture and with the backline we had today, I would have been scared to play against.
“With the speed and the talent that we can showcase out there at the NRL level, it's pretty cool.
“I think that's the main thing, to have fun, especially us blackfellas, we go out there and we love to play footy and to have fun.
Just the Hammer showing off his speed
“Going out there, representing culture, playing with the brothers, it’s no better feeling.”
Tabuai-Fidow, whose heritage is from Saibai Island, was one of two Torres Strait Islander players to represent in the team alongside another debutant in Bailey Biondi-Odo, and received a huge roar from the crowd during the performance of the pre-game dance.
“When I came out, it gave me goose bumps just to be back up here. I grew up north, and you just see the crowd and what we did for our culture today was pretty special,” the Dolphins fullback said.
The Foxx grabs a double
“It was a good week. We came in on the Sunday and then Monday until Friday, we would do dance practice every night so we could get it right out there.
“But I enjoyed the week and I know Bala Bails did as well, just showcasing our culture out there as well of the Torres Strait and I am just very, very proud that they can do it in that war cry and it’s a good feeling to be out there and to represent your mob and where you come from as well.
“I think this whole week was a good way for us to reconnect and to learn more as well. We come in and gel straight away.
"It's an exciting week, and it's a week that I look forward to start my year off, just to fill my cup as well."
