Fuimaono feeling more comfortable at No.6

For Harvey Norman NSW Sky Blue Taliah Fuimaono, Game Two in Townsville tomorrow night (Thursday) is a ‘coming home’ of sorts.

Traditionally a five-eighth for the Illawarra Steelers in the NSWRL Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership, and training in that position for her new NRLW club the Gold Coast Titans, Fuimaono’s experience in her first Origin campaign has been quite different.

She was named the No.14 bench utility for Game One to give hooker Keeley Davis a rest and to provide cover for the halves.

She ended up starting at centre as the back line was reshuffled following an 11th hour hamstring injury to winger Tiana Penitani.

For the Ampol Women’s State of Origin Game Two she will play five-eighth.

“A hundred per cent I feel more comfortable here … I’ve been developing my game as a No.6 for as long as I can remember,” Fuimaono told nswrl.com.au

“I play what’s in front of me-style of attack and that comes more naturally to me as a No.6 than in other positions.

“So ‘six’ is definitely home for me and I hope that shows up in Game Two.”

Fuimaono has no playing history with new Sky Blues halfback Jesse Southwell.

“She’s a bit younger than me so we didn’t have any junior history together.

“Hopefully we’ll complement each other well as she’s a good, dominant, hands-on-the-ball halfback and I like to run and play off the back of things.

“We are getting on the same page really well. She likes to call and I like that but if I demand it (the ball) that means something is ‘on’ and I know she’ll deliver.”

Southwell plays on the right and Fuimaono on the left – same as for their clubs.

“We’ll pretty much hold those edges. If I need to get over or she needs to link up, we can (swap) but predominantly we’ll hold and control our edge,” Fuimaono said.

The team mood amongst the Sky Blues is high with an expectation of a better NSW performance after losing Game One 18-10 to Queensland.

“.. because it’s dryer up here than it was in Sydney and we like to play expansive footy,” she said.

“It’s been great to clean up a few things from Game One and hopefully that will translate to Thursday night.

“Our game plan is based on fast, flat, eyes-up footy. We want to build pressure and points will come off that.”