David Fifita opens up over his surprise sacking by Gold Coast coach Des Hasler

Titans coach Des Hasler shocked the NRL this week when he dumped $1 million superstar David Fifita – now the maligned Gold Coast forward has given his side of the story.

A defiant David Fifita has vowed to fight to save his Titans career after his shock axing from the NRL by Gold Coast coach Des Hasler.

In an exclusive interview with this masthead, Fifita insists he doesn’t want out of the Titans as he prepares to make his Jets debut in Sunday’s Hostplus Cup clash against the Northern Pride.

While his Titans teammates take on the Bulldogs in front of 50,000 at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium for Magic Round on Sunday, Fifita will be pulling on a Jets jersey for the first time at North Ipswich Reserve.

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Hasler’s decision to send his $1 million-a-season superstar to reserve grade has polarised the NRL, but Fifita insists he will give his best for the Jets in a bid to get back into Gold Coast’s best 17.

“I’m not going to whinge about it,” Fifita said.

“I love playing football, I’ve done the captain’s run and the Jets are a great club so I will put on the Jets jersey and represent them the best I can.

Gold Coast Titans coach Des Hasler Picture NRL photos

“I’ll be giving 100 per cent. It is what it is. I’m just excited to play with some of these lads, I know a few guys from the Titans so I’ll play the best I can for the guys.

“There is a reason for why this has happened but the real truth will come out one day. Everyone doesn’t know the real story.

“There is so much speculation, but I’m playing for Ipswich and I’ll be cheering on the Titans boys as well. I hope they win.”

Fifita, 25, has had a turbulent five years on the Gold Coast since quitting the Broncos in 2020.

He was a favourite of former coach Justin Holbrook, who contacted Fifita this week following his axing, but has found himself in and out of the Titans’ starting 13 since Hasler arrived last year.

At his best, Fifita is the most destructive backrower in the game as evidenced by his 17 tries in a 22-game 2021 season.

But his efforts have been questioned at times, with Hasler wielding the axe after the Titans slumped to an embarrassing 50-18 loss to the Cowboys last weekend.

Fifita underwent ankle surgery last year and didn’t have a smooth recovery which limited his pre-season training.

However he was Gold Coast’s best player a few weeks ago, prompting speculation about his future on the Gold Coast when he was dropped out of the blue this week by Hasler, who is yet to publicly address the decision.Significantly, he will become a free agent when he enters the final year of his contract on November 1.

David Fifita training with the Ipswich Jets this week. Credit: Supplied.

“It’s a tough one to answer,” Fifita said when asked about his form.

“It’s probably not where I want it to be. I know I can be better, but I feel I’ve been OK.

“It hasn’t been the easiest pre-season. I had that ankle injury and that has affected me. Everyone is entitled to say whatever they want, but they don’t know the full story and what I’ve gone through.”

Fifita was reluctant to reveal his discussions with Hasler, but insisted he didn’t want out of the Titans despite signing with the Roosters last year before reneging on the deal.

“I don’t want to talk about that (Hasler feedback) to be honest. I just want to enjoy my footy for the Jets and get back to the NRL,” he said.

“There’s no point carrying on. I already know what I can do and me and Des know where we stand.

“It’s hard for me to speak the truth now, but I’ll have fun and smile and play well for the Jets. I know the real me. I know what I can do when I feel happy and comfortable and what side I want to play on.

“I do want to stay. I am happy at the Titans and I love the club.

“At the moment, I’m focusing on Ipswich, I want to get a win for them and I want to get back to the NRL.”

The Jets moved their usual Friday captain’s run to Saturday morning so Fifita could have a run with the team.

David Fifita was dumped following the Gold Coast’s big loss to the Cowboys. Picture: Getty Images

Ipswich chairman Steve Johnson has a long relationship with Fifita and said the Titans weren’t maximising his talents.

“Dave Fifita is a lovely young man. He has been wonderful already since coming here,” he said.

“This is his junior area, he gave me a hug this morning and said ‘my family is coming tomorrow, it’s a home game for me and I’m going to clear my head and rip in’.

“He is not spitting the dummy at all. He is absolutely determined to show Des Hasler why he is still the best edge back rower in rugby league.

“He is taking it as a challenge and we are playing him on the left where he wants to be.

“He is an Ipswich kid. He is one of ours and we’re excited to give him an opportunity to reboot his NRL career.

“I don’t believe he deserved to be dropped. I don’t believe Des Hasler is using him in the right way. Dave loves playing on the left edge, where we are playing him, and Des is determined to use him on the right.

“When he finds the switch, Dave will fight back and be the best edge back rower in rugby league.”

Johnson said it was a myth that Fifita didn’t have the desire to be an NRL great.

“It’s a joke that he isn’t hungry,” he said.

“When he was 14, we said to him ‘if you commit to your promise and talent, you can be like Arthur Beetson and captain your country’.

“He is still on the journey. He was catching 5am trains as a teenager every day to go to Keebra Park in his dream to play NRL.

“He is still maturing. It’s up to him now to find that consistency that Mal Meninga did at that age.

“Ben Hunt was here and he was wonderful. I gave Dave Fifita the Ben Hunt speech.

“I threw a jumper at Ben Hunt and said ‘you are too good for this level, we’re happy to have you, you shouldn’t be here but now go out and prove why you belong in the NRL’.”

Originally published as David Fifita opens up over his surprise sacking by Gold Coast coach Des Hasler