Official Andrew Fifita

Gil

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Just seeing him on Tv with a smile as big as Luna Park.

Well done Andrew on your selection,

carve em up
 

egg

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Giant Fifita taunts England

By Nigel Wall

Andrew Fifita is primed to take on the Burgess boys and England in Australia's World Cup opener.

Towering Kangaroos debutant Andrew Fifita has taunted the England forward pack and their fans in the lead-up to Australia's World Cup opener in Cardiff on Sunday, saying any negativity directed at the Kangaroos' players will only make the visitors play better.

"Give it to me all you want – it just gets me going harder," Fifita told NRL.com on the eve of his Test debut in the green and gold.

"I don't know how to explain it – I love it, it gets me going. I love the negative talk against us it just makes you fly off. It lifts me to another level."

The hulking Sharks forward said the experience of playing for NSW against Queensland at Suncorp Stadium this year had helped him channel his emotions and shut out a baying crowd – something he hopes to achieve at a packed Millennium Stadium against an imposing England forward pack boasting three of the four famous Burgess brothers.

Fifita was the NRL's most improved player in 2013, clawing out more metres than any other player, leading all props for tries (nine) and tackle-breaks (103) and finishing third in his position for line-breaks and offloads.

His rise up the ranks coincided with greater responsibility as a starting member of the Cronulla pack – he figured in the run-on side on 10 occasions in 2013 after playing 20 of 22 games in 2012 off the interchange bench.

However, despite his increased game time at club level Fifita said he preferred to be saved as a strike weapon for the Kangaroos off the pine.

"Coming off the bench suits me fine, I would rather that than start the game," he explained. "I think I can bring some good impact to the team.

"There are two different spins – when you start, in that first 20 minutes everyone is pressured, everyone is ready to go and you prepare that way.

"When you come off the bench you have got that mentality to go forward and you have got that advantage. I've got my size [114kg, 196cm] so it's a bit of an advantage to come off the bench."

Fifita revealed that team discussions during the week had centred around nullifying the threat of the huge England pack, with a particular focus on star South Sydney trio Sam, George and Thomas Burgess.

"We have talked about it all week. I think England has the biggest pack... when you look at our squad we aren't the biggest forward pack but we are a talented bunch.

"England are big, they are strong and the talent they have got – especially with Sam, Tom and Georgie Burgess and his stellar season – anything is possible. We are expecting big things from them."

Fifita said he would be dedicating his game to his wife Nikkita, whom he wed just before flying to the UK, and infant son Latu Jay.

"They mean everything to me – I don't think words can explain it," he said. "That is why I am here. They got me here and this is the last thing I need to tick off to pursue their dreams and my dreams.

"I can't wait – I'm that passionate just to wear the green and gold... I wore it for the team photo and I was getting all emotional but to play in it [World Club] is the highest achievement and it will be a dream come true and the finishing touch to an awesome season."
 

egg

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Thanks rahnos, I nabbed a bit of that action too.. $7 to score a try isnt bad either
 

Gil

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maybe his exercise programme has been increased for the world cup.
 
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As soon as he came on, the game started to change. It also has a lot to do with the nuffies the poms brought off the bench but fifita didn't get dominated in the tackle like our forwards at the start of the game and his quick play the balls changed everything.
 

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Good article:

Manchester: Kangaroos enforcer Andrew Fifita has revealed how, while he was battling a severe bout of homesickness, his wife, Nikkita, propelled him to snap out of his funk enough for him to earn the players' player award in Australia's final pool game against Ireland.

The Fifitas sacrificed their honeymoon to allow Andrew to make his Australian debut, and he was given just one day's leave for his wedding when the Kangaroos entered their World Cup camp.

But despite featuring in all of Australia's World Cup matches so far, Fifita wasn't satisfied until his performance in the 50-0 win against Ireland, where he started on the bench.

"She said I needed to pull my finger out because I didn't think I was playing that good," Fifita said. "She said, 'Grab the ball and go hard'. My debut and the second game I played, I thought I did make good impact but wasn't as good. I think I went out a bit cocky in the first game and they put me on my back. I said, 'I need to run harder' or something and the next one I did."

Nikkita arrives on Thursday, with the couple's son, Latu Jay, who celebrates his first birthday on November 20. Their arrival can't come soon enough for Fifita.

"I'm having big troubles, homesickness-wise," he said. "I've come straight from my wedding. I'm meant to be on this honeymoon stage. I have never felt this before, the feelings I have for my son. I'm missing him so much.

"They leave next Wednesday but I won't see them until they get to London. It's my son's birthday, so I am anxious to see them. If I have a team dinner, I'll ask to have it off or bring them to team dinner.

"I'm Face-Timing — thank you for technology. It makes you miss them even more because you see them through a screen. Your heart goes out because you can't hug or give them a kiss."

While Fifita's appraisal of his form has been tough, there is no doubt he has cemented his position on the Kangaroos' bench. He has lifted the tempo in his three outings and has been among Australia's top three forwards for metres gained in each game.

After finishing the NRL season as Cronulla's top try-scorer, Fifita added another four-pointer with his first Test try against Ireland.

"The try was excellent," he said. "It was off 'Gal' [Paul Gallen] and I saw Gal running out and I thought there was a hole there, so I went for it. Gal [earlier] said, 'Let's have a competition on who will score the most points' and he came straight up to me and said he isn't going to count that one."


http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ck-on-track-20131111-2xc9z.html#ixzz2kKTXIQFU
 

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Rising Kangaroos prop Andrew Fifita will run out at Wembley Stadium on Saturday feeling a weight has been lifted off his back after reuniting with his young family at the World Cup.

Fifita admitted to struggling badly with homesickness throughout the tournament but he felt instant relief when his newly-wed wife Nikkita and infant son Latu Jay arrived in London this week. The 24-year-old Cronulla forward celebrated his son's first birthday on Wednesday, with his family to watch on from the stands in Saturday's semi-final against Fiji.

"It's like a big weight off my back. It was the best thing ever to see my family," Fifita told AAP.

"My wife and I were only husband and wife for a day before I came over here and them coming here has been the best thing for me mentally.

"It was killing me mentally that I didn't have any family here, just my brothers in the team."

Fifita kept in regular contact with his family over the internet but he felt like he was making up for lost time when he could hold his son in his arms again.

"The baby's grown up so much since I left him at home, even in four or five weeks," Fifita said.

"He's walking now and he's so big ... it feels like I've missed out on so much.

"But now being able to go back to see them in the apartment every day, it feels like I'm at home."

Fifita says his stable home life and becoming a father are behind his incredible achievements with club, state and country in 2013.

The NSW forward has played in all of Australia's four matches at the World Cup and his impact off the bench continues to be crucial in the Kangaroos' bid for glory.

Fifita expects the lift gained from his family's arrival will help him make an even greater mark on the field against Fiji. "I play a lot better when I'm happier so, hopefully, I can go out there and do my job knowing that my family are there," he said. "It's a privilege every single time I run out on the field and play in front of them because they know they are the only thing I play for.

"Without them, I don't think I would have got this far ever."

http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/ho...family-in-the-uk/story-fndujljl-1226765350850
 

skeksis

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Don't put too much faith into an article written by Rebecca Wilson :)
 
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Don't put too much faith into an article written by Rebecca Wilson :)

I expect this to be one of many articles this self obsessed slapa will write regarding info she has obtained about shark players trying to get out of the club in crisis...
 

fitz

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Off contract player looking at available options? How shocking.

Agreed.

I reckon he'd go great in Union. Love to see him in an actual scrum... you know, the ones where the players are allowed to push. Love to see contested scrums in League.
 
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