Tabuai-Fidow fit for Origin III as clubs rest stars
The Maroons' Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (right) scored a try but was also injured during Origin II.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been cleared to play in State of Origin III for Queensland, but will join at least 10 other NSW and Maroons stars on the sidelines in round 17.
Scans on Friday confirmed Tabuai-Fidow suffered a grade-one AC joint injury in Queensland's Origin II loss, hurt in the first half of the MCG defeat.
He will miss the Dolphins' clash with St George Illawarra on Saturday, and won't play again before Origin III, given the club's round-18 bye.
But the news is largely good for Queensland, with Dolphins officials expecting the flyer to be available to line up for the decider at Suncorp Stadium on July 17.
Tabuai-Fidow is just one part of a lengthy list of missing stars for round 17.
Brisbane and North Queensland have each confirmed they will rest their Origin players from matches against the Warriors and Penrith respectively.
It means Reece Walsh, Patrick Carrigan and Payne Haas will miss the Broncos' crucial trip to Auckland.
For the Cowboys the impact is even greater, with Reece Robson, Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai to all miss their blockbuster against Penrith.
"I had always intended to give those guys one game off throughout this Origin period," coach Todd Payten said.
"Given they played in Melbourne, they've been away from home for 13 of the past 15 days, I think it's important they spend some time with their family.
"There are a couple of bumps and bruises. Reuben is very stiff and sore around the neck and has to have another test for a HIA clearance.
"Murray hurt his shoulder in that first game, so he is really sore. The other boys are just a little flat."
Penrith will wait until Saturday before deciding whether to play their five NSW Origin players, who were not due back at the club until late Friday.
The Sydney Roosters can also wait until Saturday to make a call on their four Origin players' availability against Wests Tigers.
St George Illawarra are hopeful Zac Lomax will be able to play on his injured knee against the Dolphins, while Ben Hunt and Jaydn Su'A are expected to be fine.
Xavier Coates is set to play for Melbourne against Canberra on Saturday, but Harry Grant is less likely after not training Friday.
And Parramatta will have Mitch Moses back up against Newcastle on Saturday, after the high of his man-of-the-match performance for NSW in Melbourne.
EACH STATE OF ORIGIN PLAYER'S ROUND-17 AVAILABILITY
Dylan Edwards: Decision due Saturday
Brian To'o: Decision due Saturday
Latrell Mitchell: Bye
Stephen Crichton: Expected to play
Zac Lomax: In doubt
Jarome Luai: Decision due Saturday
Mitch Moses: Playing
Jake Trbojevic: Bye
Reece Robson: Out
Payne Haas: Out
Liam Martin: Decision due Saturday
Angus Crichton: Decision due Saturday
Cameron Murray: Bye
Connor Watson: Decision due Saturday
Isaah Yeo: Decision due Saturday
Haumole Olakau'atu: Bye
Spencer Leniu: Decision due Saturday
Reece Walsh: Out
Xavier Coates: Expected to play
Valentine Holmes: Out
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow: Out
Murray Taulagi: Out
Tom Dearden: Out
Daly Cherry-Evans: Bye
Reuben Cotter: Out
Ben Hunt: Expected to play
Lindsay Collins: Decision due Saturday
Jaydn Su'A: Expected to play
Jeremiah Nanai: Out
Patrick Carrigan: Out
Harry Grant: Likely out
Moeaki Fotuaika: Bye
Felise Kaufusi: Playing
Kurt Capewell: TBC