Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s record-tying performance propelled the Maroons to a decisive 38-10 victory over the 12-man Blues in the opening game of the 2024 Origin series in Sydney.
The game took a dramatic turn just eight minutes in when New South Wales rookie Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i became the quickest player in Origin history to be sent off. His head-high tackle on Reece Walsh led to the Maroons fullback being sidelined for a category one head injury assessment.
Sua’ali’i received a Grade 2 Reckless High Tackle charge, resulting in a 4-5 week suspension.
Already trailing 6-0, the Blues faced an insurmountable challenge as Queensland exploited the gap left by Sua’ali’i’s absence. By the end of the match, Tabuai-Fidow had matched the record for most tries in a single Origin game, sealing the victory with his fourth try just before full-time.
Tabuai-Fidow’s first-half double, along with Ben Hunt’s try and a penalty goal from Valentine Holmes, gave the Maroons a 20-6 lead at halftime. Despite the score, the game was fiercely contested.
James Tedesco’s early effort and Zac Lomax’s debut try narrowed the margin to 10 points shortly after the break. The momentum shifted back and forth, highlighted by Xavier Coates’ crucial save of a 40/20 kick and Daly Cherry-Evans’ successful attempt at the other end.
Although the Maroons had two tries disallowed, Hunt’s second try on 67 minutes, following a break by Selwyn Cobbo, proved decisive. Coates’ try and Tabuai-Fidow’s third, along with Holmes’ sixth conversion, concluded the scoring at 38-10.
