Official Andrew Fifita

[Ibanez]

Fifita: I’ll be fit for All Stars
NRL.com Fri, Nov 11, 2011 - 11:05 AM

New Cronulla prop Andrew Fifita has confirmed his recovery from off-season ankle surgery is well on track and says he’ll be fit to take the field for the Indigenous All Stars should he be selected for the annual showcase when voting closes later this month.

The towering 112-kilogram hulk, who took up rugby league after being told by junior soccer club officials that he was “too rough” for their game, revealed he had bone spurs removed from his ankle but expects to be back running at Sharks training by Christmas.

With voting for the Indigenous side closing on November 28, Fifita is well in the mix for a spot in the fans’ team.

In an interview with NRL.com’s Amie Lindsall, Fifita tells how running onto Skilled Park for the Indigenous All Stars on February 4 would hold extra significance for him, having already suited up for Tonga in the representative arena.

“If I get to play it’s going to be a good privilege,” he said. “It’s the best feeling running out… from experience from our Tongan game… so I guess that’s another boost for my other half.”

Fifita said his and twin brother David’s switch to rugby league at a young age had been an eye-opener.

“We were young boys in Sydney… we started in soccer and they just said we were too rough for [their] footy,” he said. “We moved down to Griffith – and we were the little ones!”

Fifita said fellow former Wests Tigers team-mate Bryce Gibbs had been a mentor since their switch to the Sharks.

“Yeah, Bryce is a good bloke and he has pretty much taken me under his wing so it’s good to have someone I know,” he said. “It’s nice at the Shire, the boys all gave me a warm welcome.”

He is thrilled at the prospect of combining with new captain Paul Gallen as well as his childhood hero Anthony Tupou.

“When he was at the Roosters, that was my favourite team growing up and the player I used to love was Anthony Tupou… he is one of my mates now, so that’s pretty good,” he said.

“[Paul] Gallen is an inspiration to all of us, looking at his stats each week it’s just phenomenal – how can he do those stats in the one game?

“He is like a star in our eyes and he was one of the stars growing up when I was a kid… we all wanted to follow him – and he’s my captain now, so it’s a big privilege to be playing alongside him.”

However, despite his recruitment to help fill the void left by the departures of Luke Douglas (Titans) and Kade Snowden (Knights), Fifita still considers himself a ‘rookie’ and knows he has the job ahead if he’s to hold down a permanent spot in the Sharks’ 17.

“With the likes of Ben Ross, Bryce Gibbs and others, it’s going to be hard to get over them… I am still a young fish in a big pond.”

Fifita revealed the focus of his game improvement for 2012 would be getting back into the defensive line quicker.

“Getting off the ground stuff,” he revealed. “Most probably if I can narrow that down then I can play a lot longer, so that would the awesome.”

 

[josh11223344]

great article, he knows he has to work hard which is great. Should be good to watch if he hits his best form for us.

 

[sharks2010]

I'm just worried that he gets lazy sometimes and doesn't do some of the hard stuff. Needs to run hard and straight sometimes rather then sideways. But in saying that I'm very happy we have him and he has great potential. We have great leaders in the forwards and that will rub of onto him

 

[josh11223344]

That could be a good thing though. We have plenty of guys that are good at the tough stuff but now we have alot more x factor with taga and fifita who can make linebreaks and fifita who has a great offload.

 

[Blix]

True but as one of 2 props on the field at any given time, he needs to take some hard hit ups when things are tough. Dont want to really on Gallen all the time when he comes on.

 

[Timmyb22]

He cant afford to be lazy,
we have so many players who can take his place, thanks to our recruitment drive,
plus hes gonna look like shyte If he perfoms dud in our awesome pack

 

[A.Snowden]

He cant afford to be lazy,
we have so many players who can take his place, thanks to our recruitment drive,
plus hes gonna look like shyte If he perfoms dud in our awesome pack

Like he did last year? Man i hope this bloke proves me wrong.

 

[Timmyb22]

He has way bettet players around him this year apart from ellis and maybe galloway

 

[A.Snowden]

Can't rely on other players around you mate. Time to toughen up and do some hard yards

 

[Timmyb22]

Lol i lnow that mate thts not what i was gettong at, what i was getting at was with so
Much talent and dwpth in the forwards he can easily be replaced, i highly doubt he wants to play nsw cup for the rest of his career, youd think that hopefully thats enough incentive to harden the **** up, and he most certainly cant rely on the players around him hell get a studded boot up his asd

 

[sharkyboy]

anyone see on twitter some roosters bloke bagging out carney and talking ****, then fifita came in and was defending todd and said he couldnt wait till the sharkies smashed the roosters. that culture of being there for your mates and looking out for them seems to already be working out. gee im pumped for 2012! btw all the new recruits seem to be getting along well. todd, ross, fifita, robson, gibbs and townsend all look to really be getting along

 

[snowman]

post the tweets mate

 

[Great_White_Shark]

That is awesome! I really hope we smash the roosters especially!

 

[Ibanez]

I think the problem with Fifita this year was that he knew he was being offloaded to another club, and not being included in the future of a team that's helped him develop as a player. Can't really blame him for feeling demoralized.

I'm confident that we can bring the best out in him, just like with Snowden.

 

[sharkyboy]

Might Roosters comments

MightyRoosters Hunter Mizanin
@ @andrewfifita @benross23 @bryceegibbs @tcarney06 Yeah I'll put a show on for ya's, free drinks all round. Todd gets double shots

MightyRoosters Hunter Mizanin
@ @andrewfifita HAHAHAHAHA MAKING A FOOL OF MY SELF? Yes, totally, i'ma go out and get a DUI, piss on someone, set fire to my best mate etc

MightyRoosters Hunter Mizanin
@ @andrewfifita Aw dude not cool, why delete your tweet?

MightyRoosters Hunter Mizanin
@andrewfifita I dont embarrass myself in public & piss of people in clubs, the only joke is Todd's life
9 Nov »

MightyRoosters Hunter Mizanin
@ @andrewfifita @tcarney06 @benross23 @jeffrobson82 @chadtownsend10 @bryceegibbs Nah, good riddance. Made our club look like a joke.
9 Nov

Nov » MightyRoosters Hunter Mizanin
@ @tcarney06 @benross23 @andrewfifita @jeffrobson82 @chadtownsend10 @bryceegibbs You're the 2nd person to say that to me. Might be my career
9 Nov



Andrew Fifitas responses

andrewfifita Andrew Fifita
@ @MightyRoosters why don't you come and tell ur jokes to the whole club. I bet will all laugh right. Hmm @benross23 @bryceegibbs @tcarney06
9 Nov »
andrewfifita Andrew Fifita
@ @MightyRoosters umm cause UNO right! Stop making a fool of urself And jus sit there And watch the sharkies smash your team.
9 Nov »
andrewfifita Andrew Fifita
@ @MightyRoosters @tcarney06 @benross23 @jeffrobson82 @chadtownsend10 @bryceegibbs but I bet he is jus upset because your a shark now. : )
9 Nov



Todd Carneys response

tcarney06 Todd Carney
@ @MightyRoosters @benross23 @andrewfifita @jeffrobson82 @chadtownsend10 @bryceegibbs some body stop this guy he's to funny

 

[JimBob]

Who the hell is Hunter Mizanin?

 

[sharkyboy]

some ****ing gay **** ****** who goes for the roosters. need i say more?

 

[Ibanez]

Braith Anasta

 

[A.Snowden]

Braith Anasta

hahahaha

 

[Weaponhead82]

I bet that guy loved Todd when he was a Dally M winner that got the Roosters to the GF. I bet he didn't whinge about Todd's DUI's and pissing on someone when he was playing well for their club.