18 SPORT
THURSDAY 25 MAY 2023 TORRES NEWS
Taipans sign Taran Armstrong
LEFT: David Fifita & RIGHT: Hamiso ‘Hammer’ Tabuai-Fidow. Pics NRL.
Maroons pick for game 1 BY ALF WILSON Torres Strait Islanders David Fifita and Hamiso “Hammer” Tabuai-Fidow have been named in the run on side, with Reuben Cotter on the interchange bench, in the Queensland Maroons team for game one of the 2023 State of Origin series against the New South Wales Blues. The clash will be held at Adelaide Oval next Wednesday. The Maroons will be coached by former Melbourne Storm champion fullback Billy Slater and NSW by Brad Fittler. David will line up in the second row, Hammer in the centres and Reuben as a fresh forward from the bench. A notable exclusion was Newcastle Knights centre Dane Gagai, who has served Queensland well in past series. Dane played 21 times for the Maroons between 2015 and 2022, scoring 12 tries. He has also represented Australia on seven occasions at Test level. Hammer normally plays at fullback for his NRL side the Redcliffe Dolphins, but will give the Maroons plenty of attacking options in the centres beside Cowboys superstar Valentine Holmes. Ironically Hammer, who has played once for the Maroons in the past, has shown such good NRL form that he nudged Gagai out of his usual centre position. At 21 years old, Hammer has the “key in the door” for a long representative career.
BY ALF WILSON The NRL’s David Fifita (Badu), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Alex Johnston (Saibai), Reuben Cotter (Boigu/ Darnley), Sebastian Kris (Mabuiag), Dane Gagai (Iama) and Ezra Mam were all acknowledged for where they came from in the lead up to last weekend’s Indigenous Round 12. Unfortunately all their teams lost.
HAMMER STRONG Classy Hamiso TabuaiFidow was in good form when his Dolphins lost 24-16 to highly rated Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night. Fullback “Hammer” passed to
He has scored 10 tries for the Dolphins this season. At just 23-years-old, David is a potential matchwinner with his barnstorming runs. He has represented the Maroons five times between 2019 and 21 and makes a welcome return after not taking part last year. Fourteen players who represented the Maroons during last year’s 2-1 series victory have been selected in the 19-man squad. The sole debutant for the Maroons is Reece Walsh, who won the race for the fullback position following his impressive form for the Broncos. Reece replaces last year’s fullback Kalyn Ponga.
The Queensland side is: 1: Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos), 2: Selwyn Cobbo (Brisbane Broncos), 3: Valentine Holmes (North Queensland Cowboys), 4: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins), 5: Murray Taulagi (Cowboys), 6: Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm), 7: Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Sea Eagles), 8: Thomas Flegler (Brisbane Broncos), 9: Ben Hunt (St George Illawarra Dragons), 10: Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters), 11. Tom Gilbert (Dolphins), 12: David Fifita (Gold Coast Titans), 13: Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos), Interchange – 14: Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm), 15: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans), 16: Reuben Cotter (Cowboys), 17: Jai Arrow (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Reserves – 18: Tom Dearden (Cowboys), 19: Christian Welch (Melbourne Storm).
winger Jamayne Isaako who scored in the 13th minute. Hammer had a major role in another Dolphins try by former Kiwis international Kodi Nikorima. He told commentators he carried the Saibai Island totem with him before games. Star Storm hooker Harry Grant revealed his boots were painted for the round by an unnamed Thursday Island artist. The Storm were equal first with the Panthers, Rabbitohs, Sharks, Broncos, leading the table on 16 points with only for and against percentage separating them. The Dolphins and Raiders were next on 14 points. Dolphins host the Dragons at Kayo Stadium on Thursday
The CQUniversity Cairns Taipans officially welcomed Taran Armstrong to the team earlier this week, after securing the young Indigenous Tasmanian point guard from California Baptist University, where he made a name for himself as the best passer in the college system. Armstrong was touted as a top recruit when he entered the NCAA transfer portal earlier this year, but the 21 year old has instead chosen to sign with Cairns on a two-year contract, ahead of the NBA Draft. Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde said securing Armstrong over big US colleges and other NBL clubs was significant. “It’s exciting that Taran has committed to Cairns,” he said. “There aren’t too many 21-year-old, 6’6” Australian point guards with his credentials floating around in free agency. “He has such a level of polish and maturity to his game that is beyond his years. “You don’t warrant the type of NBA attention he does without having an enormous ceiling.” In his first year at CBU, Armstrong became the first player to be named Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Freshman of the Year in the program’s Division I history. He averaged 10.5 points, 6.3 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game, and broke a program record with 15 assists in a game against North Dakota. As a sophomore, he registered 11.3 points, 4.5 boards and 5.0 dimes, while becoming the sixth fastest active player to reach 300 career assists. In both years at CBU, Armstrong led the WAC in assists per game. “His composure on the floor really comes from the education and upbringing he has had in basketball,” Forde said. “He’s from a basketball family and has a great family support network around him. “Taran’s background at the
In October last year Taran Armstrong was named to the 202223 Preseason All-WAC First Team by both the media and league coaches. Pic California Baptist Men’s Basketball. Centre of Excellence, NBA Global Academy, representing Australia and D1 college makes him very ready for immediate impact into the NBL.” Armstrong said there was a lot to look at. “I had really good options in the States and a few good opportunities back here (in Australia), but the NBL is as good as it’s ever been,” he said. “Speaking with Coach Adam Forde – he’s been great, and everyone I’ve spoken to had nothing but great things to say about him as well. “It was a pretty easy decision. “The Taipans’ play style is something that I was attracted to, right from the jump. “The way they play fast, it’s really up and down, they play really upbeat and it’s a really nice, exciting brand of basketball which I’m excited to be a part of.”
Heads high despite losses night. The Storm’s next match against the Cowboys is on Saturday 4 June in Townsville.
FIFITA EARLY TRY
David Fifita scored the first try for the Gold Coast Titans in their 20-18 loss to the Canterbury Bulldogs at Accor Stadium. The Titans went into the game a hot favourite but squandered a 14-nil lead at halftime.
KRIS AGAIN AMONGST BEST Sebastian Kris was one of the Canberra Raiders best in their shock 42-14 loss to the Manly Sea Eagles on Sunday. The Raiders, who enjoy great support
on Waiben, won their previous five matches whilst Manly had lost their last three. Fullback Sebastian almost scored several times and made several strong runs and tackled well. The Raiders head away to Accor Stadium for a clash against the Rabbitohs in Round 13.
GAGAI SOLID IN KNIGHTS LOSS Quality Newcastle Knights centre Dane Gagai shared honours with his direct opponent Connor Tracey in the 26-6 loss to the Cronulla Sharks on Saturday. Dane and Tracey had some tantalizing clashes in a match which saw the
Sharks score four tries to one at Coff’s Harbour. Tireless in defence, Dane also made some telling runs.
COTTER SHINES IN COWBOYS LOSS Reuben Cotter was given the honour of leading the Cowboys before the Cowboys 66-18 thrashing by lowly West Tigers at Sydney’s Leichhardt Oval. Going into the match as underdogs, the Tigers scored 11 tries to three by the Cowboys, one of which was scored by Reuben in the 62nd minute. Fans were shocked and dismayed by the loss.The 48-point margin was the heaviest
2023-24 CQUniversity Cairns Taipans Roster • Tahjere McCall • Sam Waardenburg • Jonah Antonio • Lat Mayen • Sam Mennenga • AK Gak • Taran Armstrong
defeat by a Cowboys team since North Queensland joined the premiership in 1995. The Cowboys return to Sydney on Friday night to take on the Eels at CommBank Stadium, while the Tigers have a bye before hosting the Raiders at Campbelltown Stadium on 2 June.
TWO TRIES DOESN’T SAVE RABBITS
Two tries by flying winger Alex “Magic” Johnston did not stop his South Sydney Rabbitohs going down 36-16 to the Parramatta Eels in Indigenous round 12 on Friday night. The Rabbitohs went into the game as warm favourites but were outplayed
by the desperate Eels. Johnston was electric in the first half, scoring his tries in the seventh and 36th minutes. It was anybody’s game at halftime when the Eels led 12-10 but they ran over the Rabbits after the break.
EZRA SOLID Ezra Mam was strong in defence when his Brisbane Broncos lost 15-4 to premiers the Penrith Panthers in Brisbane last Thursday night. The rising star lined up at five eighth without his normal number seven partner Adam Reynolds, who was out injured. The Panthers scored two tries to one and a total of five four pointers were disallowed after review by the bunker.
