Reece Walsh caught in shock fallout as Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow stuns NRL world with insane try

NRL fans are starting to question whether Reece Walsh is actually Queensland's best option at fullback, after Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored one of the best tries in recent memory on Thursday night. With the Sharks leading 24-22 in the 58th minute, the Hammer scooped up a kick near his own line and raced the length of the field to put the Dolphins back in front.

Tabuai-Fidow beat no fewer than six players as he scythed his way down field and into the Sharks' half. It looked as though opposite fullback Will Kennedy had him covered, and the Hammer slowed down as if he was going to take the tackle.

But he then stepped on the gas once more and wrong-footed Kennedy, who was left clutching at thin air with a pretty feeble attempted tackle. Nevertheless, Tabuai-Fidow's insane effort left the NRL world speechless, and Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett reckons he's only ever coached one other player who could have produced it.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Bennett singled out four-time premiership-winning centre Steve Renouf as the only other player with the same skill-set. "Him and Hammer would be the two players that I've coached that have that absolute magic to get to that try line and create that moment," the coach said.

Bennett has coached a record 925 games in the NRL and ARL, and even more when Brisbane Rugby League matches are factored in. But the 74-year-old said few tries had made such an impression on him as Tabuai-Fidow's. "(It's) in the top two or three. Steve Renouf scored a try I'll never forget. I'll never forget this one either," he said. "It was pretty special."

RELATED:

• NRL fans all say the same thing after brutal Nicho Hynes development

• Reece Walsh's $6m move that could force teammates into brutal call

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow lifts the lid on scintillating try

Tabuai-Fidow admitted he doubted he'd make it all the way to the line when Kennedy looked to have him covered. "If I'm being honest, I didn't think I was going to score," he said. "I sort of did a little start-stop there and got past (Kennedy). I was over the moon just to get over the try line."

Bennett congratulated Tabuai-Fidow in the sheds at full-time, aware his play had turned the momentum of a game back in the Dolphins' favour after they'd blown an early 22-0 lead. "I just went in and shook his hand, gave him a hug and he said, 'Good game'," Tabuai-Fidow said.

"That's always good, coming into the dressing room and getting that off your coach, especially off Wayne. It gives me heaps of confidence, just to go in there and see him smiling and happy."

Fans question if Hammer is actually better than Reece Walsh

Tabuai-Fidow joked that he hoped Queensland coach Billy Slater would pick him for Origin II in Melbourne. The Hammer will almost-certainly slot back into the centres for the Maroons, with Walsh coming back in at fullback after his head knock in Game I.

But Tabuai-Fidow showed Slater that he has plenty of options as to who his fullback should be when he scored a hat-trick after Walsh was forced off in the series opener. The Hammer moved to the back when Walsh was ruled out after just seven minutes, and the Maroons didn't lose any attacking abilities as they ran away 38-10 winners.

Walsh is widely regarded as the better fullback, but fans are starting to question whether Tabiau-Fidow might actually be the better option for the Maroons. Broncos coach Kevin Walters said on Thursday that Slater will "100 per cent" pick Walsh for Game II, but The Hammer's recent efforts have certainly sparked some debate on social media.

with AAP