Andrew Fifita fears his NRL contract could be ‘ripped up tomorrow’
Nick Walshaw, The Daily Telegraph
October 12, 2016 12:41am
BESEIGED Cronulla star Andrew Fifita has revealed he is ready to walk out on rugby league, convinced people in power are “trying to make a fool of me”.
Speaking on Sky News program Jones & Co on Tuesday night, Fifita admitted to discussing with Sharks CEO Lyall Gorman the possibility of quitting league following his controversial omission from the Australian Four Nations squad.
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg also came under fire from program host, Sydney radio heavyweight Alan Jones, who said the league chief was “out of his depth” on the Fifita issue.
Jones also vowed to join tattooed prop in going “toe to toe” with the NRL Integrity Unit should they try and tear up his contract.
Fifita was omitted from the Four Nations tour because of an ongoing Intergrity Unit investigation involving his friendship with convicted killer, Kieran Loveridge.
The 27-year-old, outstanding in the Sharks grand final win over Melbourne on October 2, was also controversially ignored for the Clive Churchill medal - which was instead awarded to lock Luke Lewis.
Quizzed on how the saga had affected him, Fifita said: “To be honest, I think it’s punishment.
“I feel like I’m on my last chance with the NRL - they all know that, I know that — (and) I’m thinking the worst at the moment.
“I’ve got one more mess up and I’m out. My contract is ripped up.
“So I’ve already approached my management team, already had talks with the CEO about going elsewhere. Different codes.
“I don’t know if my contract is going to get ripped up tomorrow, if it’s going to get ripped up in six months time.”
It was The Daily Telegraph who first revealed Fifita had been writing messages of support on his wrist tape for Loveridge, jailed for the one-punch attack that killed Thomas Kelly in Kings Cross.
Police handed the NSW prop a consorting notice which is still being investigated by the NRL Integrity Unit.
Apart from admitting he could quit the code, Fifita also admitted to breaking down at home at the height of the drama and questioned the ongoing investigation also involving NSW Police.
“It’s just ... they’re trying to make a fool of myself,’’ he said. “Someone high profile.
“Why didn’t my best mate get done when we went to the jail (to visit Loveridge)? I don’t know why I just got done.
“There was two of us.”
Fifita also told Jones he had not visited the one-punch killer since “police came to my doorstep”.
“It’s really tough,’’ he said.
“I’ve talked to his mother. I’ve let her know and explained why.
“I know he is inside and all he keeps saying is, ‘please, tell him I’m sorry. I’m sorry for doing this’.
“(But) He’s done nothing wrong.
“And like I’ve told his mother there is nothing being done wrong here.”
Of Loveridge’s actions, Fifita added: “It’s wrong. I’ve said it in the past and I’ll say it again.
“It’s wrong what he did.
“But at the end of the day, it took me two and half years to forgive him.”
Asked if anyone had suggested he would not be allowed play in the NRL decider, he said: “As we lined up against Canberra, you know, the club were fighting hard to keep me in.
“It got that real that I broke down to my wife at home. And said I can’t do it no more.”
Jones suggested Fifita was a devout Christian who was abiding by the Christian imperative to extend forgiveness to the lowliest sinner.
The program also accused the NRL of bullying and lacking in empathy.
Said Jones: “I believe (Fifita) should be admired for having the courage of his convictions.
“It’s ok to play in the grand final. They wouldn’t have dared stop him from playing in that because Cronulla fans would have ripped the stadium down.
“But he can’t play for Australia ... this is rugby league. Make it up as you go along.
And when Fifita suggested his contract could be shredded, Jones interrupted: “Stand toe to toe with them.
“Along with us.
“Let them rip the contract up. Let them rip the contract up and see where we finish up then.
“Now Todd Greenberg you’re out of your depth and out of your league here.
“The only people discredited in any of this are the rugby league itself. And is for the Integrity Unity, where is the integrity? He has got it.”
