Fifita quits Kangaroos for Tonga at RLWC

Gents we are talking about Andrew Fifita....As a player he is in a class of his own on his day but he could never be accused of being a mental heavywieght

Fifita is a selfish unethical drop kick. I have no issue with him playing for Tonga.But,I do have an issue with how he went about it.Firstly allowing himself to publically be picked for Australia,and then waiting days afterwards to say he’s running off to Tonga.In the days between being picked for Australia and NOT running off to Tonga.Other possibly replacements would have rightfully been picked for other Nations other than Australia.Yet again it’s all about Fifita. Unlike Taumalalo who at least informed NZ before picking him. Finally,Australia should never have picked Fifita anyway.Last time he had a great game was Origin 1,been downhill since.Australia and NSW should never pick him again too – No class and overrated too.

Thanks for the response. I don't have a problem with it myself as my view is that in the long term it should assist in making so called second tier nations more competitive.

He can be ruled out along with Adrian Lam ...

Not hard to understand at all. There were numerous NRL stars playing in this tournament and there are a lot more played in QLD and NSW tournaments this year already. Maybe the clubs understand" what it means to the players, their families and community " and that's why they give them their blessings to play if they are injury free and it is the off season. You assume Fafita is part Aboriginal... He did play with the Indigenous All Stars if that helps.

If you're talking about the Koori knockout (and if you seriously don't know what it is you mustn't have a very big interest in league) every year NRL players, former players, and rising stars participate.

No other "NRL stars" playing, in the final at least. Some players in the final were noted by the commentators as having played previously, some as having aspirations and one as playing in the 20s. I completely understand that it would be attractive to play with your "mob" and I assume Fifita is part Aboriginal as well as being Tongan. What I do find difficult to understand is that a top tier professional contract would let you play in a competition like this.

So that's the end of Fifita's Kangaroo career then. Hey good on him going to ply for Tonga to keep things interesting, but I hope there are consequences and that he understands them

I think that's the best point. Whether you're for or against allegiance 'swapping', there should a be a deadline for, at least, tier one availability. Nominate yourself, or not. Being selected in the squad, then having a change of heart is not a good look, even if the reasons are right.

@JohnB he was playing in the Aboriginal rugby league knockout and happens every year. You are surprised? Fafita and other NRL stars have been playing for years. Its a massive honour to play with your mob. Its ok you don't understand. Maybe do some research and it may not come as a shock mate. Fyi Fafitas a prop and played how many games over 3 days?

the fact that some of these players played for another country it the last world cup but now find it convenient to make themselves available for australia makes it a bit hypocritical of their commitment.they have taken this opportunist moment to be glory hunters. I think the nrl and the world cup organizing committee are to blame as the eligibility rules are a bit of a joke. it could only happen in rugby league.

Totally agree - especially your 2nd last sentence.

Couldn't agree more. Even up the comp. There are a lot of overseas players really excited about coming to Australia and competing in the RLWC17. It appears that many of us Aussies are just jaded.

Your post barely makes sense. What are you getting at?

All four of those players were born in Australia. In fact I believe Felise Kaufusi is the only player who wasn't born in Australia in the squad and he moved to Australia at a fairly young age I believe. Not sure how calling them a baabaas side is accurate.

.....the eligibility laws of the world are a complete farce in this the new world order of the global citizen, otherwise known as the mercenary. This is not exclusive to League or even sport, rather it reflects a global culture that while providing individuals with many benefits, it is just that, all about the individual...........

just announced darius boyd out and replaced by josh Mansour and fifita replaced by Campbell-Gillard . good to see Australia replace these players from other countries. they just cannot see another country come up with a competitive side. why don't just call Australia the barbarians Utter disgrace.

This is good and rugby union should go back to this, I didn't enjoy watching the AB's smash Samoa 78-0 with strong eligible laws all apparently so called credible. I want to see close games with loose rules, that's what the fans want not so called credible trashings laced with so-called credibility(e.g. yeah right, the big rich nations offer more money to players from smaller poorer nations e.g. Henry Speight/Tevita Kuridraini plus throwing the carrot of State of origin e.g. James Tamou ditched the kiwis for state of origin), plus Semi Radradra playing for aussies not Fiji. Maybe if the all blacks the kangaroos and wallabies started subsidising and paying the other nations wages and promoted equality we wouldn't need this situation of rugby league allowing flip flopping. Oh but the defence of the big nations is "we don't force them to take the dollars and play for us" nonsense defence. Um no that doesn't wash. money talks so of course if you dangle carrots at players who have bills to pay and help there families they will jump. Maybe start dropping your salaries and helping the weak out. oh but the strong lead the weak and get over it nonsense. Nah, stuff that and the tantrums now Australia/NZ are showing losing some star players when smaller pI nations have had to put up with this nonsense forever. Let the flip flopping continue, I am sick of seeing thrashings and being nations getting the best players, reward the poor and create equality or be willing to fund the poorer nations way more then bring in tough eligibility. But they won't do that no way they are greedy. So many All blacks of pacific island heritage who haven't played many tests could be playing for the PI's. Meli Fekatoa bailed on the AB's for big money in france club rugby, he should be allowed to eat his cake and eat it to $$ e.g. get a few AB's caps on his cv, then dump the AB's with no loyalty and take the cash in french rugby then suit up for samoa at a rugby world cup, yes yes yes that is correct get over it big nations and encourage equality you have enough advantages already...

I take offence at that. The size of economy in west gosford is quite good.

of course not. the very fragile NSWRL will pick him as though they desperately want all hands on deck. its very obvious that SOO means more to him than world cup.