The Canterbury Bulldogs today announced that they have torn up the lucrative four-year deal offered to Cronulla forward Andrew Fifita.
The deal, believed to be worth $3.5 million, was called off following comments from Fifita last week that he regretted signing with the Bulldogs. In that interview he expressed that signing with rugby union was inevitable, and that he had achieved everything he wanted in league except a premiership and an Origin series victory.
“If I could go back now, I wish I chose rugby and then I wouldn’t be getting all the s*** I’ve been catching now,” Fifita told AAP last week.
“I grew up playing rugby so it was one of the best things.
“It’s always going to be there and I will eventually go to union.
“It’s another dream and I just want to chase another dream.”
Fifita was a schoolboy rugby player but signed with the Wests Tigers after being part of the Brumbies development squad. He then made the switch to Cronulla in 2011 where he has become the game’s premier front-rower.
Bulldogs Chief Executive Raelene Castle offered the following comment:
“After signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Andrew we’ve not been able to agree on the final terms of his NRL Playing Contract and have ceased negotiations with his management.
“We wish Andrew all the best for the future” Castle said
“Andrew is disappointed that we could not finalise terms with the Bulldogs but we still have several options in the pipeline to explore,” Fifitas Management Group I.am Athlete Management said.
And just because nothing in rugby league is ever simple, this curve ball has been thrown on Twitter:
BREAKING: Moley has just spoken to @andrewfifita ‘s management – claim THEY called off the deal – NOT the Dogs -due to 3rd party deal drama
— The Mole (@RLW_Mole) March 31, 2014
Football United
Guest
So what? They still fill the grounds they have to the absoloute max unlike Bulldogs games where he'd be playing in an empty cavern and the atmosphere French Rugby fans bring in kills anything the NRL brings in.
Blueberry
Guest
Yeah, he had said he wouldn't want to move out of Sydney. But I imagine the ARU now holds all the cards in the bargaining stakes, they could probably agree a lower price
Muzz
Guest
He's off-contract at the end of this season and a fantastic talent. Would be interesting to see what his current market value is, EJ???
HARRY HOPWORTHY
Guest
Bemused, I'm bemused by your daft and worn-out statement about the usual two states and north of England rubbish. The game of Rugby League is played in a lot more areas around the world than you suggest. Granted, Rugby Union has the bigger footprint. I follow BOTH Rugby League AND Rugby Union. HH. Exeter, Devon.
john badseed
Guest
Did Shuey ever play for the dishlickers?
uPelican
Guest
That's bloody hilarious!
Jay h
Guest
Now the bulldogs can sign a fullback peter hiku from manly !!
peeeko
Roar Guru
Average crowd in French rugby is less tha the nrl
jc
Guest
You are right and wrong. Fifita played league predominantly in his juniors, but also did play union. He didn't make any league rep teams, but in union he did rep NSW Country, rep'd the ACT Brumbies merit team and was offered a contract with the Brumbies development squad. This was before any NRL teams were interested. He has been quoted as saying not wanting to live in Canberra was the main reason he ended up in league. Hardly blame him... I don't doubt he would make a brilliant number 8 in union, the ARU can't afford him so you'd reckon he will be at the Sharks again next year.
Shadow
Roar Rookie
Oh how it's all gone wrong for mr I've Achieved Everything
HARRY HOPWORTHY
Guest
Markus, that's the Australian term for the man right at the back of the Rugby League scrum. Which is fair enough, given that this is an Australian site. In England, he'd be called the Loose-Forward. I personally refer to this position as the Number 13 / Loose-Forward, just as you would talk about the man at the back of the scrum in Rugby Union as the Number Eight.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Don't bring an accident into your code war trolling. Professional Rugby union ain't exactly travelling well in this part of the world with TV ratings & crowds also falling. You may not like to hear this but ALL sports are suffering a downturn in crowds. NRL TV ratings are actually starting to rebound and are not up from last year after a shocking scheduling of matches. Who's brilliant idea to put the QLD derby on tonight? Let's see if union, A league or AFL could handle Monday nite slots?
Football United
Guest
Yeah can't wait till the ARU and waratahs offer peanuts with the majority of it being incentive based and then Toulon/Toulouse offer guaranteed cash, signing bonus and anything else he could want.
Football United
Guest
French Rivera playing alongside other international rugby stars in full stadiums earning huge cash to do what they loved. Damn that sounds awful.
Muzz
Guest
Maybe he's 3rd Party Sponsor had a change of heart after reading Fifita's comments that he regrets not switching over to RU. I actually think the value of the big robust line bending props has dropped with the introduction of the new rules and the speed of which the game is played at present.With that in mind and the salary cap, the value of smart crafty playmakers and top tier spine players should definitely increase.Shares in the Burgess brothers are falling by the week.I would rather secure the services of such players like Tedesco or Widdop and still have some change for a mule. Paying $850K for a prop is just crazy.
p.Tah
Guest
Haha :)
uPelican
Guest
He'd be a monster at No 8 for the Tahs. The doggies might be better of encouraging Hayne to pull the pin over at Parra and have a run at fullback with them.
Huggo
Guest
Thank goodness for that, the dogs already have one overpaid lemon
Mark
Guest
Amazingly no one has said he'll be off to the Chooks, it's one of the first clubs mentions ALWAYS in this situation.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
It will be interesting to see if Fifita backs up his talk and persues Rugby and signs with a Super Team. Given the shortage of quality Number 8's in Australian Rugby will the ARU find the coin to make an offer ?