Fifs can still contribute 15-20 mins or so (unless his body gets worse over the off/pre season) and the way our final bench spot often gets underplayed minutes wise anyway it's prob all we need from him
Picking him in the first place over Tolman or a utlity or whatever is a different conversation
BUT while he has struggled with his fitness in recent years and isn't the same player he used to be I am not of the opinion he is useless or that he hasn't had some decent moments on the field in recent seasons even while battling his body every step of the way
Could be a bit of a liability in defense but then so was Woods and he didn't have big fitness concerns to content with really
He did only get those runs ahead of basically just Billy Mags though, was used through desperation.
As far as forward #12 of 13 on the roster goes he contributed well last season.
With him playing we beat Origin depleted Penrith by 1 and beat the spooners. We lost to Rabbitohs by 10, Manly by 18, Warriors by 2 and Newcastle by 2 so pretty sure Hannay would have loved to have someone else available for all these games.
Against Rabbitohs no BHU no Talakai no Hunt selected ahead of Pele
Against Manly no Talakai no Graham no Pele
Against Warriors no Hunt no Graham no Pele
Against Newcastle no Graham no Wilton no Pele (Talakai in centres) and Billy Mags got a run
Assuming Finucane takes all Woods minutes and McInnes joins the side and pushes pretty much everyone down a spot in the middle depth things are probably looking better for our side if we never see Fifita as it means those above him are staying healthy.
Unless he gets himself into better shape and able to contribute better for next season.
Think his defence was still decent. Lateral is an issue but shouldn't factor in massively in a short stint.