Queensland endured a miserable evening in Melbourne as they slipped to a heavy 38-18 loss to New South Wales in the second game of the State of Origin series.
After a physical opening period, the Maroons failed to match the Blues’ lift in intensity and went on to concede a record-breaking 34 points in the first half.
To make matters worse, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow had to leave the field after succumbing to a shoulder injury with Kurt Capewell called to fill in off the bench.
MORE STATE OF ORIGIN COVERAGE
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'The Hammer' eventually returned to the fold after the break and even continued his red-hot try scoring record in Origin with yet another four-pointer.
However, the Dolphins star hasn't played since that disappointing loss in Melbourne with the decider now on the horizon.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow injury updates: Diagnosis, return date as Dolphins star named to play in Origin III
"I think he’s picked up an AC injury," Slater said in Melbourne.
"Pretty tough effort for him to get back out there but he knew the team needed him."
Tabuai-Fidow filled in at fullback for the Maroons in the opening game of the series after Reece Walsh was ruled out of the contest due to a high shot from Joseph Suaalii.
But it was the 22-year-old who needed to be replaced in Game II after he seemed to pick up an injury after being tackled by Stephen Crichton.
Tabuai-Fidow tried to play through the pain but was eventually removed from the field in the 23rd minute with his side 16-0 down at the time.
He returned in the second stanza but could do little to help claw back the massive 34-point deficit which had been opened up during a blistering spell from NSW.
Will Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow play for QLD Maroons in State of Origin Game 3?
The Dolphins provided an update on Tabuai-Fidow's injury, after he was ruled out of their Round 17 match against St George Illawarra.
"Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will be fit for the Origin decider in Brisbane after scans revealed a minor AC joint injury," the Dolphins revealed.
"Scan results this morning confirmed a grade-one AC joint injury.
The Dolphins had the bye in Round 18, meaning 'The Hammer' will possibly enter into the clash underdone.
"The reality is that if we did not have a bye, he would be right to go for the Dolphins," the club's Head of Performance Jeremy Hickmans said last week.
"Because of the third Origin camp he is unlikely to play for us against the Rabbitohs on July 11.
"The injury looks pretty good at the moment and should not cause him any trouble in his next game, which will most likely be for Queensland."
