Andrew Fifita admits his regret over sideline confrontation and plans a return to refereeing
August 8, 2015 9:00pm
DAVID RICCIOThe Sunday Telegraph
Andrew Fifita with his two children Lyla Jayde, 8 weeks and Latu Jay, 2. Picture: Adam Taylor
BUNKERED down at his mother’s house, in a bid to throw-off a throng of media chasing the biggest news story of the past fortnight, Andrew Fifita’s two year-old son Latu Jay looked up to his father with a furrowed brow.
“Why are we staying at Nanny and Poppy’s for another night?,’’ little ‘LJ’ asked.
Fifita’s answer is one he wishes now he never had to confront.
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I’m a provider for my family. I almost lost it all. I could’ve wasted millions, my security for my family*
Andrew Fifita
Banned, alongside twin brother David, from playing for the Cronulla Sharks for the final six weeks of the NRL regular season and fined $30,000 for their involvement in an incident involving a match official at a Penrith junior rugby league A-Grade match, Fifita has admitted his regret at the 10-second confrontation which he feared would result in his multi-million dollar NRL contract being torn up.
“I regret walking over towards him (the match official). I know I should be punished for that,’’ Fifita said.
“It was 10 seconds which I let everyone down. I let the game down, I let the boys down, let my club down, let my junior club down and let my family down.
“The main thing was I thought my contract was going to be torn up.
Andrew Fifita has expressed his regret for lashing out at a referee. Picture Gregg Porteous
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“With the right support and the right people behind me, I’ve still got a contract.
“It’s been a big learning experience. I want my kids to be proud of their dad.
“It’s hard on the family because ‘LJ’ is starting to get to that age where he’s asking questions like why are we staying at nanny and poppy’s for more than one night?
“I’m a provider for my family. We decided to have kids young (Lyla is two months old) because my wife (Nikkita) and I thought it would be nice to raise them through my career.
“I almost lost it all. I could’ve wasted millions, my security for my family.’’
In his only interview since being dealt the punishment last Thursday, a contrite Fifita also revealed how having spent almost three years working as a referee during his junior years, he was conscious of the pivotal role that match officials play in the game.
Fifita was handed a six-week ban by Sharks. Picture Gregg Porteous
“I was a referee for over two and half years down in Griffith when I was playing down there (as a teenager),’’ Fifita said.
“I know the importance of being a referee.
“I know what its like to be in their shoes. Without them, there’s no game. We can’t play without a ref.
“Part of my punishment is to get back out there and put the whistle back in the mouth.
“So next year, my brother and I will be reffing a few games and David has to do his referees course.
“They say its punishment, but at the end of the day we spend the majority of our time with guys from junior footy. Being involved at the grassroots level as a coach, a player or a referee has been our life.’’
Fifita spoke publicly about his battle with depression earlier this year.
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I know the importance of being a referee. I know what its like to be in their shoes. Without them, there’s no game*
Andrew Fifita
However, despite challenging some elements of allegations laid against him, he was cognison of refusing to use his daily reliance of medication for the illness as an excuse or defence of his poor behaviour.
“I’ve been seeing a psychologist since the end of last year,’’ Fifita said. “It’s three times a month, sometimes it could be six times a month.
“I’m on medication and if I had to come off those, I don’t know how I would be feeling.
“Sometimes I’m up and some times I’m down. I didn’t want that part to be involved in this whole scenario.
“My psychologist is really good. He’s a big reason why I’ve been playing good and I have had a clear head this season. I owe him a lot and I’ll continue to see him until he believes I’m fine.’’
Both the Fifita brothers fronted the entire Cronulla team and coaching staff on Friday morning.
Lyall Gorman: Fifita brothers "have expressed genuine remorse"
Although both players will be available for selection in week one of the finals, should the Sharks secure a top eight spot, they wanted to personally apologise for the threat that their omission over the next six weeks could dramatically impact the Sharks chances.
They also made a vow.
“We wanted to explain to the boys how we’re feeling and thank them for their support and the coaching staff,’’ Fifita said.
“When David and I apologised, we made a clear statement to the boys that if they do the job by getting the club to the finals we’ll provide the lift to get us to the grand final.
“We’re going to be fresh as daisies and the biggest and fittest we’ve been.
“In rehab I learned that life doesn’t go straight, it goes like a series of hills.
“Sometimes you can be at the top and sometimes you can be down. These things happen and they happen for a reason.
“I need to be better when I come back and this will be my reason