Maroons' Tabuai-Fidow boost as clubs rest Origin stars
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been cleared to play in State of Origin III for Queensland, but will join at least 10 other NSW and Maroons stars on the sidelines in round 17.
Scans on Friday confirmed Tabuai-Fidow suffered a grade-one AC joint injury to his shoulder in Queensland's Origin II loss, hurt in the first half of the MCG defeat.
He will miss the Dolphins' clash with St George Illawarra on Saturday, and won't play again before Origin III, given his club's round-18 bye.
But the news is largely good for Queensland, with Dolphins officials expecting the flyer to be available for the decider at Suncorp Stadium on July 17.
Tabuai-Fidow is on a lengthy list of stars set to miss round 17, although AAP has been told all four of the Sydney Roosters' Origin representatives - Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu - will face Wests Tigers on Sunday night.
The news is a big boost to a Roosters side that defied the quartet's absence for one of their best wins of the season against Canterbury last week.
Brisbane and North Queensland have confirmed they will rest their Origin players against the Warriors and Penrith respectively.
It means Reece Walsh, Patrick Carrigan and Payne Haas will miss the Broncos' trip to Auckland.
For the Cowboys, the impact is even greater - with Reece Robson, Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai to miss their blockbuster against the Panthers.
"I had always intended to give those guys one game off throughout this Origin period," coach Todd Payten said.
"Given they played in Melbourne, they've been away from home for 13 of the past 15 days. It's important they spend some time with their family.
"There are a couple of bumps and bruises. Reuben is very stiff and sore around the neck and has to have another test for an HIA clearance.
"Murray hurt his shoulder in that first game, so he is really sore. The other boys are just a little flat."
Penrith will wait until Saturday before deciding whether to play their five NSW Origin players.
St George Illawarra are hopeful Zac Lomax (knee) will be able to play against the Dolphins, while Ben Hunt and Jaydn Su'A are expected to feature.
Xavier Coates will play for Melbourne against Canberra on Saturday, but Harry Grant will be rested.
Parramatta will have Mitch Moses back up against Newcastle on Saturday after the high of his man-of-the-match performance for NSW in midweek.
EACH STATE OF ORIGIN PLAYER'S ROUND-17 AVAILABILITY
Dylan Edwards: Decision due Saturday
Brian To'o: Decision due Saturday
Latrell Mitchell: Bye
Stephen Crichton: Playing
Zac Lomax: In doubt
Jarome Luai: Decision due Saturday
Mitch Moses: Playing
Jake Trbojevic: Bye
Reece Robson: Out
Payne Haas: Out
Liam Martin: Decision due Saturday
Angus Crichton: Playing
Cameron Murray: Bye
Connor Watson: Playing
Isaah Yeo: Decision due Saturday
Haumole Olakau'atu: Bye
Spencer Leniu: Playing
Reece Walsh: Out
Xavier Coates: Playing
Valentine Holmes: Out
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow: Out
Murray Taulagi: Out
Tom Dearden: Out
Daly Cherry-Evans: Bye
Reuben Cotter: Out
Ben Hunt: Expected to play
Lindsay Collins: Playing
Jaydn Su'A: Expected to play
Jeremiah Nanai: Out
Patrick Carrigan: Out
Harry Grant: Out
Moeaki Fotuaika: Bye
Felise Kaufusi: Playing
Kurt Capewell: Expected to play
