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Sport Nation
Hammer in doubt for Ashes as Dolphins send out Nicholls in style
Sam Kosack • September 7th, 2025 6:13 pm
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is in doubt for Australia’s Ashes tour as The Dolphins demolished a baby Raiders side 62-24 to send out Mark Nicholls in style.
Tabuai-Fidow was electric for the first 60 minutes, scoring three tries in pursuit of Mark Nawaqanitawase’s lead as top try scorer, before being forced from the field.
The Dolphins’ centre was able to walk from the field but should the injury be serious, it could rule him out of Australia’s end-of-season tour which is under two months away.
It was an otherwise perfect send-off for the Dolphins’ season and for Nicholls.
The beloved veteran ends his career after 194 games with stints at the Raiders, Storm, Rabbitohs, and Dolphins, and scored his 15th try and first conversion to cap off his decorated time in the NRL.
The Dolphins’ prop was one of seven try scorers for the Dolphins, crossing in the 55th minute, within a minute of coming onto the field.
Tevita Naufahu, Oryn Keeley, Jake Averillo, Jamayne Isaako, and Ray Stone also joined in on the scoring on their way to a 62 point romp.
Trai Fuller proved he needs to be in Kristian Woolf’s top 17 every week next season, even if Tabuai-Fidow moves to the centres, finishing with 232 metres, two line breaks and two try assists.
The Raiders fielded four debutants as Ricky Stuart opted to rest the majority of his first choice team ahead of the side’s finals campaign.
Young forward Joe Roddy scored two tries on debut in a shining light for the Raiders, while Michael Asomua also scored on debut and young second rower Noah Martin scoring his second try in first grade.
Fortunately for Ricky Stuart, his first graders backing up for Canberra’s finals campaign all made it through unscathed, with the only worry emerging around Morgan Smithies, who was placed on report for dangerous contact on Josh Kerr.
If the Raiders go on to win the premiership, it will make them the first team in NRL history to win the competition after conceding 50 points during the season.
The Raiders will host the Brisbane Broncos in the first week of finals, likely on Sunday night.
