Dolphins flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has received the ultimate accolade with Tana Umaga likening him to All Blacks legend Christian Cullen.
Umaga, an All Blacks great himself who played 74 Tests, coaches Moana Pasifika in the Super Rugby competition and has been at Dolphins training this week learning from coach Wayne Bennett as part of his personal development.
Tabuai-Fidow, one of rugby league's most graceful movers, has made the fullback position his own just like Cullen did for the All Blacks for whom he scored 46 tries in 58 Tests.
Umaga, a former centre who played alongside Cullen for the Hurricanes and New Zealand, has been mighty impressed by Tabuai-Fidow's form in the NRL and for Queensland.
"When I look at Hammer it is Christian Cullen that he very much reminds me of because they are both so effortless in the way they run and move so quickly," Umaga told AAP.
"They both have the ability to change angles and not lose pace. Christian was the number one athlete I have ever played with. I played with Jonah (Lomu) as well and he was brutal.
"Hammer, like Christian, is deceptively strong and has a great work ethic. I was just talking to him and his father is Samoan. I am very proud as a fellow Samoan that someone from our people is leading the way in this game."
Tabuai-Fidow, who also has Torres Strait Islander heritage, was in awe of Umaga's presence at training ahead of Sunday's NRL clash with Gold Coast at Suncorp Stadium.
"It is pretty surreal. We had a meeting this morning and Tana was sitting in," Tabuai-Fidow said.
"I was a bit starstruck. It is pretty cool to have him here watching us train, just to have his presence around the club is special. The Kiwi boys are on a buzz."
Tabuai-Fidow, who has scored 47 tries in 79 NRL games, has only played nine NRL matches for the Dolphins this year due to State of Origin commitments and injury. He has 11 tries in those games, the best strike rate of his career.
Last week he scored a double in the 28-26 golden-point loss to Penrith with both tries showcasing the attributes that Umaga spoke of.
The Dolphins are in seventh position on 24 points and must win four of their final seven games to play finals.
"This last seven weeks is really important to us. Everyone wants to play finals and that is what we have our eyes on," Tabuai-Fidow said.
"I haven’t played a game at home in a while, and to get back to Suncorp I am just excited."
