ROUND UP

BY ALF WILSON

Torres Strait Islanders Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, David Fifita and Reuben Cotter have retained their places in the Queensland Maroons team to meet NSW in State of Origin game two in Brisbane on 21 June.

Cowboys enforcer Reuben was man of the match for the Maroons in game one, Titans’ David played strongly in the forwards and Dolphins’ Hamiso scored two tries lining up in the centres.

David will play in the second row and Hamiso again in the centres in the run on side whilst Reuben will start on the interchange bench.

Ezra compared to ...

A clever pass from young five eighth Ezra Mam to his halves partner Adam Reynolds led the Brisbane Broncos to a nail biting 24-20 win over the

Newcastle Knights in Saturday’s round 15 NRL game.

Dane Gagai was best for the Knights in a fine defensive and attacking performance.

Ezra and Dane hugged after the match, which was shown live on FOX Sport.

A piece of Ezra magic came with four minutes remaining when the Knights led 20-18 and looked like pulling off the upset of the round.

Ezra fired out a flick pass to Adam who gleefully charged over for a four pointer, which was converted.

Commentators hailed the Ezra/Adam combination as similar to ex -Broncos halves Allan “Alfie” Langer and now-club coach Kevin Walter – a wonderful compliment.

The Broncos sit second on the NRL ladder, equal on points with the Penrith Panthers, who have better points for and against.

Broncos enjoy a bye in Round 16 before hosting the Titans in a Round 17 Queensland derby.

Praise for Hammer in Dolphins big loss

“Superstar” was an apt description from a commentator referring to Hamiso Tabuai-

Fidow when the Saibai Islander scored two tries in a 58-18 loss by his Dolphins side to Manly in round 15 of the NRL last Friday.

It was a 13 try to three flogging by the Manly Sea Eagles in front of nearly 15,000 spectators at Brookvale Oval in Sydney.

The Sea Eagles led 28-6 at halftime and the Hammer stood out for the Dolphins who has now scored 12 tries for the NRL season.

His tries came at the 58th and 79th minutes, making him an almost-certain selection for Queensland in the second State of Origin match.

No try for AJ

St George Dragons upset South Sydney Rabbitohs 36-30 Netstrata Jubilee Stadium Sydney on Saturday.

Speedy Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston failed to score a try but did look dangerous at times when fed the ball.

South Sydney were missing four of their stars in Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, Jai Arrow and Cameron Murray.

Fifita rested for Titans

Tough Titans forward David Fifita was rested for his side’s 28-12 victory over the West

Tigers at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast last weekend. A second rower with match winning potential, David will be a vital player for Queensland in the second State of Origin. Seb back after injury Sebastian Kris returned to the Canberra Raiders side from injury but they went down 36-14 to a rampaging New Zealand Warriors on Friday night.

Seb had a good game at fullback and will get better in the Raiders coming games.

Late in the game he fired out a pass to an outside back but it was intercepted by Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson who scored a try.

The Raiders have a bye in Round 16 before a clash against the Roosters in Round 17 four days after Origin II.

The Warriors also have the bye next week and then travel to Wollongong in Round 17 for a Friday night clash with the Dragons. Cowboys bye and to take on premiers

The North Queensland Cowboys had the bye and will meet reigning premiers the Panrith Panthers at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Friday night with kickoff at 8pm.