Andrew Fifita hasn’t given up on his dream of winning a State of Origin series despite choosing Tonga over NSW.
Fifita’s chances of being selected for the Blues this year remain muddied with conflicting messages coming from NSWRL hierarchy over the last several days.
AAP had been told that a black line had been ruled through Fifita’s name by NSWRL hierarchy after the Cronulla prop elected to turn out for Tonga against Samoa for the Pacific Test on June 23.
His allegiance to Tonga will make him unavailable for State of Origin one, with NSW officials placing a big emphasis on loyalty.
However, Blues advisor Greg Alexander seemingly left the door open for Origin II, claiming Fifita’s form was “worth thinking about”.
While coach Brad Fittler earlier this year ruled out selecting him, injuries could force him to change his mind.
This is despite the fact the Blues have a long list of prop options including David Klemmer, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Paul Vaughan, Aaron Woods, Shannon Boyd and Trent Merrin.
“If my form stays the way it is, it’s up to them,” Fifita said after the Sharks’ 22-16 win over Canterbury on Sunday.
“It is what it is. My job is to keep getting the wins for the Sharks and start heading in the right direction towards that goal and be in the semi-finals.”
Fifita has been in near career-best form over the last month as he stepped up to the plate in the injury-enforced absence of his fellow senior forwards.
He topped 140 metres in each of his last four matches and carved out 171 metres against the Bulldogs on Sunday.
It still sticks in his craw that he has never won an Origin series – after missing the Blues’ 2014 victory through injury.
After being part of Cronulla’s 2016 NRL premiership win and Australia’s 2013 World Cup final, it remains the only item left on his bucket list.
“I’m thrilled to have that talk around me,” Fifita said.
“But at the moment I’m just trying to get the win for Cronulla.
“I’ve had that captaincy role over the last few weeks. But Gal is back now. Captaining is easy.”
Matt
Guest
I think the overriding factor is Fifita is currently at his bumbling best out in the middle, and hardly the type of player Fittler needs. He wants no nonsense, and mistake free. Fifita is full of nonsense, full of mistakes. Who cares if he wants to be available. He won't be playing anyway.
Sylvester
Guest
So QLD could pick Taumalolo then?
Big Daddy
Guest
This is where the culture comes in. If he's not committed to all 3 matches why would you pick him. If he plays 1st match and loses and is unavailable for 2nd match and NSW win is it fair to the other guys who were selected and laid the platform and then we're dropped for 3rd match to include fifita they would be very p+?+ssed.
Someone
Guest
Your correct. Game 2 of SOO is on the 24th of June. the Pacific Test is on the 23rd of June. So Fafita is available for games 1 and 3 of SOO. Whilst I don't expect it to happen, if QLD won games 1 and 2 it would be great to see if Fafita was eager to play in a dead rubber where NSW had lost.
Nat
Roar Guru
Makes the decision easier then.
DNZ
Guest
It doesn't become meaningful when players leave their NZ, Tongan or Fijian heritage behind because they want to play Origin though. As said below, why not open it up to anyone then? It isn't meaningful when a bunch of 4th generation Aussies pretend to be from somewhere for a couple of games. They should represent that country to develop ongoing international recognition. Meaningful would be when they have some pride in the jersey and want to win, and they're paid enough to justify doing so. I want Tongans to play for Tonga, Kiwis to play for NZ etc and not feel financial pressure to change for another rep jersey. There is a responsibility to grow the game and generate real economic benefits to the governing bodies in other countries. As a result, I don't believe you can simultaneously be a New South Welshman and a Tongan because the ultimate aim of playing rep foot in Oz should be to represent your state and country. Guess we will have to agree to disagree on that though.
Greg
Guest
As I pointed out earlier, this is nothing new. There is no opening up of anything, QLD opened it up when Adrian Lam played for QLD and PNG at the same time. He played Origin for QLD from 1995 to 2000 and played for PNG from 1994 to 2000 and yes he played against Aus in between Origin series.
Greg
Guest
That's exactly how you make them meaningful which is why the RLIF changed the rules. If the Italian team was made up of only people born and raised in Italy nobody would watch them. By allowing players like Tedesco and Vaughan to play for them it gives Italy a higher profile and also lets the other Italian players play and train with some of the best in the game which makes them better.
ja ja klazo
Guest
I think this article is incorrect. It's my understanding he would miss game 2?
Nat
Roar Guru
He misses G1 through Int commitments. If NSW lose, they rush him back in crushing the confidence of the rookie prop. If they lose G2, and the series, his loyalty and performance is questioned along with Freddy's coaching credentials. He's declared his loyalty and it's not to his State or Country, it's time to move on without him. NSW are not short a quality prop to be worried about the implications this guy brings to the team.
Joe
Roar Rookie
100% agree. If you're going to open it up to Fifita who has pledged his allegiance to Tonga and not Australia why not open SOO to all the other nations. He has made his decision and should not be picked.
shinobi
Guest
There is talk that Australia will play a test against Tonga at the end of the year. Would you be OK with Fifita playing for Tonga, then Origin, then turning out for Tonga again against Australia? What is the point of Origin then? Might as well open it up to eligible Kiwis and Brits and call it an All star game then.
DNZ
Guest
It doesn't matter whether it's new or not. We should make international games meaningful again, not have a bunch of guys who have an Italian great grandmother turning out for them when they can't make a better side.
Greg
Guest
It's not exactly a new concept. Adrian Lam was captain of QLD and captain of PNG at the same time.
kk
Guest
Not forgetting $30K per game
DNZ
Guest
Because they're competing interests. SoO should essentially be used to pick the best international side Australia can produce. Rugby League needs to encourage the international game, and having players switch allegiances every five minutes only trivialises it, not strengthens it. Players should be encouraged to play for nations like Tonga, but those that do shouldn't be able to turn around and want the benefit of also being eligible to play for Australia afterwards.
Big Daddy
Guest
What is it with fifita. He's drawn a line in the sand but now realises no Thurston, no cronk, no Smith , here's my chance to win a state of origin and is contemplating more flipping and flopping.
Greg
Guest
Fifita is eligible, available, and in great form (currently sits on top of the Dally M leaderboard). He also has the right motivation as well and he said he would play for free and give his $30K match payments to charity, not sure any other players would do that. As the world becomes more multicultural we will start to see more cases like this - Fifita has one grand father who is Tongan and the other grand father who is Aboriginal. He was born and raised in Blacktown, NSW so why can't he represent both Tonga and NSW? It's kind of like the Will Hopate situation when he made himself unavailable on Sundays - when he is available the Bulldogs picked him because he was the best option, when he wasn't available they picked someone else. .
Paul
Roar Guru
Lets wait and see what happens. As the article states, NSW has plenty of options who are in form and playing good footy, if Fifita is not eligible