David Fifita has admitted he didn’t deserve to be picked for Queensland’s State of Origin team last year, but says his omission was the catalyst for his current career-best form.
Fifita has charged back into Origin contention for the Maroons, after Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook declared on the weekend this had been his best season for the Titans.
The 23-year-old claimed his first try of the season in the Titans’ 26-10 win over Manly, but the bigger improvement has been his increased involvements and defensive output.
Part of the Maroons’ Origin side in 2019 and 2021, Fifita missed out on Game I last year when he battled a knee injury in the lead up.
He was then overlooked for the final two matches as Queensland stuck solid with largely the same pack to win the series 2-1 while Fifita’s own club form sagged after his return from injury.
“I tried to rush back … but really I didn’t deserve to be there,” Fifita said.
“I had a good look at myself.
“Just at my game and my off-field stuff. Stuff like that.”
Fifita said that had prompted his form this season, after earning plaudits through the Titans off-season.
He is favoured to return for the Maroons for the May 31 series opener in Adelaide, with the hulking second-rower at his best and incumbent Jeremiah Nanai suspended.
“That is always my dream and goal, to be there,” he said.
“With my position there is great competition. With the boys that have done it before me, they are the benchmark.
“I know what I need to do. I need to keep working hard for the Titans.”
Fifita’s return to form has coincided with a switch to the Titans’ left to play alongside Kieran Foran.
While the pair haven’t quite run riot down that side, Saturday’s performance at Brookvale was Fifita’s best of the season, bringing a powerful try and with his quick hands used to set up another.
“If you are picking a Queensland team on form then he is well and truly in it,” Foran told AAP.
“He’s in as good of form as he has ever been in. He is just a special player, there’s no other way to put it.”
Foran said the major difference he had noted in Fifita was his grittiness in attack and defence, after the pair shut down Manly wrecking ball Haumole Olakau’atu.
“We’re so used to with Dave, seeing him do the great runs and score the tries,” Foran said.
“But the thing is this year we’re seeing him bounce, get back to the line. He’s fast, his line speed is great. That whole left edge, everything starts with Dave.
“And then on top of that you get the flashes of brilliance; scores tries out of dummy-half, and the deft passes.”
© AAP 2023
