Australian Rugby League Commission chairman John Grant has told Andrew Fifita he needs to start “behaving like an adult” and stop threatening to leave the NRL.
The Cronulla powerhouse is furious with the NRL after his Clive Churchill medal snub and his exclusion from the Kangaroos’ Four Nations squad, and is reportedly considering offers to play in either the English Super League or French rugby next year.
Grant said he would be “very disappointed” if Fifita quit the NRL but warned his future was in his own hands.
“He doesn’t need to do that. I don’t know why there’d be any contemplation of that,” Grant told reporters in Brisbane on Friday.
“What Andrew needs to do is what he’s been asked to do, which is behave like an adult.
“Andrew’s a great player, we want him in our game, but you’ve got to be a certain individual – particularly this rankle is all about selection for the Kangaroos and not being available for selection.
“We’re very purposefully making the Kangaroos the elite rugby league team in Australia, it’s a global team and we’re going to get not the best players but the best men.
“That’s what Mal Meninga’s 100 per cent committed to and what we as a game are 100 per cent committed to and Andrew can be that.
“Andrew just needs to improve, frankly, off the field – it’s as simple as that.”
Fifita is still being investigated by the NRL’s integrity unit over his public support of convicted one-punch killer Kieran Loveridge, a childhood friend of the 27-year-old prop forward.
He said earlier this month he felt the NRL was trying to “make a fool” out of him and was actively looking at options to play overseas.
Grant said there was no need for him to meet personally with Fifita but said the commission’s stance on the matter needed to be clear.
“Todd (Greenberg)’s having these discussions directly,” he said.
“(But) I’d be really surprised if he doesn’t know this. I’m not in the day-to-day so I don’t know what’s gone on but it’s impossible to believe that Andrew, through his club or coach or Mal Meninga or the NRL, doesn’t clearly know what’s expected of him.
“The game made Andrew unavailable for the Kangaroos and that’s really disappointing for everyone… but just look at this Kangaroos side and have a look at the stories of redemption in this Kangaroos side. Andrew can be a Kangaroo.”
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The best individuals don't necessarily make the best team.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Jacko, What do you think of the phrase "better men make better All Blacks"?
David H
Guest
Have to admit most of these people running these organisations have some severe personality disorders. Who the hell are they to make aspersions into the character of others? Do they have any formal and professional qualifications to do this? No, seriously they are bucket mouth narcissists who have no talent of their own.
David H
Guest
Seriously John Grant is telling someone else to behave like an adult? Like, John Grant, you are getting paid way beyond what you are worth and have never performed at all. You really need to start showing a bit of form and managing your own responsibilities before you start having a shot at the stars of our game.
Jacko
Guest
Twas they did not pick Fifita because they say he is not the best person. Yet he is amongst the best players in his position and better than 2 or 3 on the tour. That means they are picking a lesser player because they believe they are better people. I dont agree with it but that is what they have done.
Jacko
Guest
So who are these fabled "best men"...Is it the partner basher? The man who has had 3 mental breakdowns? The rapists? Sorry but this CLOWN should have shut his mouth until he knew what he was talking about. I just love it how Grant say "be warned the furure is in his hands" Fifita must be so scared that his future is in his own hands, yet it is the NRL which is yet to decide his future, meaning his future is not in his own hands at all. The major talking point should be why is the integrity unit taking so long to sort something out that happens first in july of this year?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Only pure league supporters could see that as implying they intend to pick lesser players.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Where did they ever say he was not eligible to win the CC Medal? Plenty of games result in questionable MOTM decisions. In fact many questioned the AFL one the very next day.
Ches
Guest
Personally I think Fiffita is a great player & is of most definite questionable personal character. However I see the NRl not being consistent in what their judgement is of what is "not of fit character" to earn the Clive Churchill medal or play for Australia. Had it not been for Fiffita Radraya would be playing for Australia. As much as what Fiffita has done has left a bad taste in everyone's mouth he has not broken any law. Think about all the players in the past (no need to name them here) who have committed criminal acts and been charged for all sorts of assaults against women (something the NRL on one hand is fighting against) yet the same scruitany has not been applied to them. It is about as consistent as the NRL judiciary or bunker. Where is the consistency? I regard assaulting a women far worse than anything Fiffita has done personally.
souvalis
Guest
You can't say we're 'taking the best men' out of the left side of your mouth and announce the likes of Dugan and Ferguson out of your right..
John
Guest
"we're not going to get the best players but the best men" Wow must make the existing members of the squad feel good knowing they aren't the best team of players Australia could have fielded.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Probably because he got asked a question. He's not discussing specifics anyway, and he's not wrong either.
kk
Roar Pro
"Todd Greenberg's having these discussions directly" "I'm not in the day to day so I don't know what's gone on" John Grant, you make it difficult to understand why you bothered to speak publicly until you did know what is going on in relation to Andrew Fifita. You are supposed to be the leader of our code.