Josh Dugan has urged Andrew Fifita to find inspiration in the Kangaroos jersey as the Cronulla prop ponders his future in rugby league.
Fifita said last week he was exploring the possibility of a switch to rugby union because he feared the NRL could rip up his playing contract at any moment.
The Sharks premiership winner was banned from selection from coach Mal Meninga’s 24-man Australian Four Nations squad because of off-field issues.
Dugan, who played in Australia’s 26-6 win over New Zealand in Perth on Saturday, has walked a similar path to Fifita.
The St George Illawarra star’s future in the NRL was up in the air after he was sacked by Canberra at the start of 2013.
But the 26-year-old Dugan has since redeemed himself and he said Fifita could use the lure of the green and gold jersey to win his way back as he did, when asked what advice he would give the out of favour NSW representative.
He said Meninga urged his troops to be the best on and off the field.
“That is for all of us and any players who might be in a bit of trouble,” Dugan told AAP.
“To me personally that hits home because of the dramas I did have a few years ago and the way I did turn things around.
“I do see myself as a leader now at the Dragons and the more rep jersey I earn the more I see myself as earning the respect and leadership.”
Dugan said he understood what Fifita was going through.
“When I was younger I always wanted to play for my country,” Dugan said.
“It was tough not being able to play footy for one and losing the realisation of that dream and possibly never playing football for my country.
“It was heartbreaking. I know what that is like.
“But I put my head down and I got the chance to play footy again and Origin followed and I got to make my Australian debut.
“It is something that I cherish dearly, playing for Australia and I am looking forward to the weeks ahead.”
Bonza
Roar Rookie
Big Mal wants to bring pride back to the Australian jersey so he picks Dugan out of position and Ferguson out of form. I really don't get it. What does Croker/Leiluah have to do? Don't get me started on the shady pasts of many current Kangaroos Shane Flanagan has the right idea. After the GF he admitted Fifita has issues but also said "inside there's a great kid". Treat them as human, have faith and they might turn around. Or impose stupid bans on them and expect everything to fix itself.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
From what I can see the most recent any player found them self in any trouble was Boyd in 2014.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Ferguson isn't the only sex pest in the squad...
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Not quite. After all wasn't he rubbed out for the entire 2014 season as a result? I think Ferguson shows that if you stay out of trouble you can generally get by, but if he was in trouble today he wouldn't be playing. That being said, perhaps Ferguson does enjoy special treatment. He is already picked for rep teams without merit repeatedly after all.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Im pretty sure sex offences have instant forgiveness.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
I saw Blake Ferguson was giving him advice on ch7. Glad Fergo thinks he's redeemed from his sex offences. Although I guess Mal proves he has redeemed him
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Err, no actually. The fact of Dugan's playing shows that things have changed since his days. If the line for hte NRL was finally drawn with Fifita, then so be it. Better late than never. Furthermore, using the highest representative jersey available to an Australian player can be an aspirational tool to help clean up one's act. This is irrespective of whether Fifita feels he was hard done by or not. The fact of the matter is that if he wants that national jersey, he knows what needs to be done. That's, of course, if he wants it bad enough.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
How is Dugan playing showing the hypocrisy?
Jacko
Guest
The simple fact that Dugan is playing shows the hypocrissy in the non selection of Fifita to start with. Why would Fifita use the very jumper he was denied to be inspired. I hope he tells them to stick it up their jumper. I think he has been inspired to go for a different junper
Craig
Guest
If Fifita is taking advice from Dugan, it probably explains some of his behaviour to date.