Geeze I hope hw has a blinder and signs back on board for the Sharks:
David Fifita gets Sharks debut with Andrew suspended
Read more:
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...w-suspended-20140315-hvj53.html#ixzz2w2UuBQU4
David Fifita had given up hope of playing in the NRL. Banished to park football when his stint at the Wests Tigers ended in 2011, he felt a professional rugby league career had passed him by.
Fifita was half a world away this time last year, playing in France for Lezignan Sangliers, thinking he had achieved all he could as a rugby league player. But as twin brother Andrew's star began to rise, so did interest in the other Fifita.
It is Andrew's suspension that will hand David his first-grade debut after being called into Cronulla's squad for their match against Canterbury on Monday night.
''I gave up on footy thinking it was all over when I was playing A-grade,'' Fifita said. ''I used France as a bit of a holiday. I was going to re-sign in France when all this started.''
By ''this'' Fifita means his brother's impact in the NRL. There was plenty of interest in David, too, so when he returned to Australia last July he was immediately met by Storm officials.
Eventually he opted to join Andrew at Cronulla and re-signed again for this year.
''I watched Andrew's Origin game last year and I thought I had to pull my finger out and do something for myself,'' Fifita said. ''Playing with Andrew is my dream, so that was one factor in signing at the Sharks and we just got back from a massive holiday so taking my family away from Sydney to Melbourne would have been a killer.
''My mum loved having me home and really missed her grandson. I knew I had to stay here for another six months and then rethink it. After I spent six months in Cronulla I wanted to stay because of how good they treated me.''
David's impending debut caps a turbulent week for the Fifita family after Andrew announced his defection to the Bulldogs on a rich four-year deal at the end of this season. David said he realised this year could be the only time the pair play alongside each other, ruling out a move to the Bulldogs for himself.
''I think Canterbury have run out of money,'' he joked. ''I'm hoping to stay at Cronulla.
''It's been tough for Andrew. He told me how heartbroken he is having to leave the club, and he was telling me he didn't want to leave the Sharks. But family is the No.1 priority, and it's a business these days.''
Having been elevated through the Tigers ranks as a centre, David made the transition into the forward pack in the under-20s. He knows he'll be compared with his brother come Monday night.
''It's a challenge for me,'' David said. ''My dream is to play NRL and Monday night my dream is coming true. The bad thing is I'm not debuting with Andrew but the good thing is people can see the difference. I hope I can bring the same impact as him - that's how we play.
''Andrew was cheering when I told him. He is sad we're not debuting together, but happy to watch me go.''
Fifita and Chris Heighington will replace the suspended Andrew and Siosaia Vave, with Sam Tagataese set to start the game. The Sharks are likely to be without half Todd Carney, who has a hamstring injury.
Carney's absence will spark a reshuffle in the Cronulla line-up, with John Morris likely to switch from hooker to five-eighth, handing rookie Michael Liccha a debut against the Bulldogs - the club he is set to join next season.
Read more:
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...w-suspended-20140315-hvj53.html#ixzz2w2UjnXqx
