Dolphins speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is excited about the prospect of playing alongside Storm sensation Sua Fa’alogo in a star-studded Samoa backline at Rugby League World Cup 2026.

Tabuai-Fidow and Fa’alogo went head-to-head in last weekend’s NRL clash at Suncorp Stadium but the pair are set to combine during RLWC2026 as Samoa aim to go one better than their historic finals berth at the last World Cup in 2022.

In addition to Tabuai-Fidow and Fa’alogo, Toa Samoa coach Ben Gardiner could have the following backs to choose from:

Fullback: Fa'alogo, Tabuai-Fidow, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Wingers: Brian To'o, Murray Taulagi, Deine Mariner, Greg Marzhew, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Tuivasa-Sheck
Centres: Stephen Crichton, Tabuai-Fidow, Tuivasa-Sheck, Simi Sasagi, Izack Tago
Halves: Jarome Luai, Blaize Talagi, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Tyrone May.

“We have depth there,” Tabuai-Fidow said. “On paper, it’s a pretty special team.

“It will bring heaps of competition to the World Cup. It’ll be a special one I think.”

Tabuai-Fidow played for Samoa in the opening match of RLWC2021 at Newcastle’s St James Park but was ruled out of the tournament with an ankle injury and watched as the Toa became the first Pacific nation to qualify for a World Cup final.

He played for Australia at the 2023 and 2024 Pacific Championships before announcing last year that he would represent his Samoa heritage at RLWC2026.

After a personal duel in which Fa’alogo stood him up to score one of the individual tries of the year and was later chased down by Tabuai-Fidow to stop another spectacular long-range try, the Maroons Origin star is looking forward to playing alongside the livewire Storm fullback.

Photo: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is keen to play with Sua Fa'alogo after their personal dual in the Dolphins-Storm match. @NRL Photos

“Sua is a special player, just with the speed and agility he possesses,” Tabuai-Fidow said.

“I’m excited to see what he is going to be like when he gets older.”

“The way he’s been playing, I'm excited to hopefully put that Samoa jersey on with him and run alongside him at the end of the year."

Asked who would win a sprint race between the two, Tabuai-Fidow replied without hesitation: “Me”.

However, Tabuai-Fidow inisted he didn't know how fast he could run.

“When I’m in open space, I try to have a look behind me and if there’s no one I will slow up. I don’t really need to go too fast if no one is chasing," he said.

“When there is someone chasing I have to get on my bike. I don’t go all-out.”

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