Revealed: Why Queensland star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was wearing a VERY flashy decoration as his teammates looked crushed after their big loss to NSW
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow wore a Polynesian candy lei
- The Queensland star has Samoan and Torres Strait Islander roots
- Superstar injured his shoulder during State of Origin II
As his Queensland teammates looked heartbroken in the dressing room after their loss to NSW on Wednesday night, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was spotted wearing a flashy decoration normally associated with winning teams.
The 22-year-old Dolphins star appeared to suffer a shoulder injury when he was dragged into goal shortly before the Blues’ first try, but returned to score a try in the 38-18 defeat.
After the resounding win in New South Wales, the 22-year-old was seen in the Queensland sheds with his teammates wearing a colorful Polynesian candy lei around his neck in maroon colours.
The leis, which were also worn by Panthers players after the 2023 NRL grand final, reflect Tabuai-Fidow’s legacy.
The Queenslander is known to have a native Australian Torres Strait Islander mother, but thanks to his Samoan father he also has strong Polynesian roots.
Tabuai-Fidow likes to showcase his culture, with his signature shark feast he unveiled at the 2021 Indigenous Round being a nod to his totem animal.
Leis – or streamers – have been part of Polynesian culture since time immemorial.
In Samoa the lei is called an ‘asoa’ or ‘ula’, in Tahiti it is ‘hei’, in the Cook Islands it is ‘ei’, in Fiji ‘salusalu’, in Hawaii ‘lei’, in Tonga it is ‘ kahoa’.
Queensland superstar Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (right) was spotted with a Polynesian slate as he joined his shattered teammates in the changing rooms after their loss to NSW
Penrith stars wore Polynesian candy leis around their necks after their grand final win over the Broncos last year
Various leis have been made for all kinds of special occasions.
They are given at weddings, birthdays and graduations, but also as a sign of affection, friendship or appreciation.
The candy leis are especially popular in Tonga and Samoa and are intricately woven with ribbons, cellophane and lollipops.
Queensland will be hoping ‘The Hammer’ returns in time for the Origin decider on July 17 in Brisbane, where he will be crucial to their chances.
Coach Billy Slater said it is too early to tell how serious the shoulder injury is.
Queensland fans will be hoping ‘The Hammer’ is healthy for the Origin decider on July 17
“I wouldn’t have any idea,” Slater said at the news conference.
‘I think he has suffered an AC (joint injury).
“It was a tough job for him to come back out of there. He clearly wasn’t 100 percent, but he knew the team needed him.”