Queensland Maroons’ Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Selwyn Cobbo embrace role-model status during National Reconciliation Week
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow feels a duty to serve as a role model for the next generation of Indigenous talent.
That’s why when he moved from the Cowboys to the Dolphins, he quickly debunked assumptions that his famous shark celebrations were recognition of his new club.
“It was kind of funny at first but then I had to correct them because it’s my totem and it’s something I’m proud of,” he said.
“To show that on this stage, at this level of rugby league, is quite something.”
That mission is the ultimate goal that drives The Hammer, who will suit up for the Queensland Maroons to kick off the 2026 State of Origin series on Wednesday.
Wednesday also marks the start of National Reconciliation Week, which celebrates the 1967 referendum that allowed the Commonwealth to create laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and count them in the census.
Selwyn Cobbo, Ezra Mam and Gehamat Shibasaki will join Tabuai-Fidow in the Maroons jumps race as representatives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
But Tabuai-Fidow’s approach was also inspired by his childhood hero and later mentor, North Queensland Cowboys great Matt Bowen.
Tabuai-Fidow said of “Mango”: “I text him from time to time. He actually called me weeks ago and it was nice to hear his voice.”
“I go to him for help and things I can work on, and we have a pretty good bond and friendship.
“[He’s taught me] To support myself and everything I can bring to the team. Just having him in that corner is pretty special.”
Bowen has long been a leading advocate for First Nations players; A post Tabuai-Fidow is keen to carry as he links up with Cobbo to create a lethal left edge.
“That’s a pretty big thing for me to be a role model and show young Indigenous kids what they can do if they put their mind to it,” he said.
“To have that cultural background and try to create a better path and a better life for young Indigenous kids is pretty special.”
Cobbo, who returns regularly to his hometown of Cherbourg, said he tries to help younger children, both indigenous and non-indigenous.
“It’s always good for me to come back home, refresh my brain, get away from the city and football,” he said.
“I come back to the family, refresh my mentality, and come back to Brissy ready to go.”
Tabuai-Fidow and Cobbo are expected to combine on the Maroons’ left wing, where they will likely face New South Wales duo Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o.
The Queenslanders will be the quicker duo, but the Blues duo have maintained a close friendship since their time at the Penrith Panthers and often play their best football alongside each other.
Tabuai-Fidow scored nine of his 11 Origin tries at centres. The most famous was his individual effort to take the lead late on in the first match of 2023, when his team was reduced to 12 men after Thomas Flegler was sin-binned.
If injuries force a Tabuai-Fidow replacement, the Maroons will have Shibasaki on the bench ready to fill the void as the Broncos center struggles for his future.
The 28-year-old is set to earn a generous salary as he comes off his contract this year, having gone from being a Brisbane train and trial specialist last year to becoming a Maroons and Kangaroos representative as well as an NRL premiership champion.
This year, however, his Origin call-up has been questioned given his inconsistent form at Clubland, which has already resulted in Michael Maguire being demoted to the bench at the start of the season.
“Nothing is guaranteed, I need to continue to be alert. I just needed to get myself and my body right and get back to my game from last year,” Shibasaki said.
He was impressive in the way he stopped Crichton in game three last year, and once again got the better of his opposition number when the Broncos beat the Bulldogs, dragging the Canterbury captain into touch while defending on his own line.
Shibasaki admitted he wasn’t expecting to get a call from Maroons coach Billy Slater.
The chance to get his campaign and career back on track will beckon as he revealed on Wednesday that signing with Papua New Guinea Chiefs would be an option he would consider if he were needed.
“I haven’t figured anything out yet. I’m just trying to play my football. I let my manager handle all this,” he said.
“I have a family to take care of, that’s my priority, but before I can talk numbers, I need to let my feet do the talking.”
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