David Fifita ruled out indefinitely as mystery around Gold Coast Titans axing deepens

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has weighed in on the curious case of David Fifita after the $1 million star dropped a cryptic message before being ruled out indefinitely.

Gold Coast captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has vowed to not walk out on the battling Titans as the curious case of David Fifita took another twist.

Fifita has been ruled out indefinitely just days after being dumped to reserve grade by coach Des Hasler.

The enigmatic ex-Maroons forward will consult a specialist due to ongoing problems associated with ankle surgery he underwent last year.

Fifita’s sidelining after a one-game cameo in the Hostplus Cup is the latest turn in an intriguing plot at Parkwood.

Hasler sent the $1 million-a-season star to the Ipswich Jets last weekend, reportedly after Fifita requested a switch to his preferred left back row spot currently occupied by in-form Maroons hopeful Beau Fermor.

In the lead-up to his Jets debut, Fifita told this masthead “the real truth will come out one day”, potentially a reference to the ankle complaint which limited his pre-season.

If Fifita’s axing was designed to spark the Titans it failed as Gold Coast slumped to a fifth straight defeat to the Bulldogs at Magic Round.

Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is close mates with David Fifita. Picture: NRL Images

In the lead-up to Friday night’s desperate showdown with the Knights in Newcastle, Fa’asuamaleaui said he backed Hasler’s decision to relegate his best mate at the Titans.

“I’m trying to keep him up and making sure he’s okay and how his personal life is and his head, being there as a mate,” he said.

“The coach is the coach for a reason and makes decisions for what’s best for the team and club.

“Whatever the coach says, I back.

“There’s some areas (Fifita) needs to work on in his game and sort some stuff out away from here.

“They (Hasler and Fifita) definitely get along. Des has backed him since the beginning.

“Dave was really good last week with all the media talk and a lot of things being said.

“He turned up with the right attitude and got us ready to play the game on the weekend.

“His attitude’s been good.”

The Fifita bombshell has raised speculation about the Broncos product’s future on the Gold Coast.

Fifita, 25, went within a whisker of quitting the Titans last year after signing with the Roosters, only to backflip on the contract days later.

The Titans went into meltdown internally and urged Fifita to renege on his decision, which he did, committing to the Gold Coast until the end of 2026.

Now on the outer and a free agent from November 1, Fifita’s future has become a talking point again.

Fa’asuamaleaui is also technically a free agent at the same time due to a series of clauses Gold Coast management agreed to in his $12 million, 10-year contract.

Despite being contracted on the Gold Coast until 2033, the ex-Storm premiership winner can activate a get-out clause and quit the Titans at the end of next season.

But he insists that won’t happen despite the Titans staring down the barrel of a fourth straight bottom four finish.

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (R) has thrown his support behind his embattled mate. Picture: NRL photos

“For sure (I’m staying), I’m happy I made the decision,” Fa’asuamaleaui said ahead of his 100th NRL game.

“I’m doing everything I can to change this club and make it a winning culture and strong club to compete with in the NRL.

“I’m not backing out of anything. I’m in it for it all, through the hard times and the good times hopefully in the future.

“I’m definitely confident (we can turn it around), that’s why I’ve stayed here for so long.

“I back the coach and everyone involved in this squad to get us there.”

While Tom Weaver (concussion) has been sidelined and Kieran Foran (ankle) is yet to receive clearance to play, halfback Jayden Campbell will return from an ankle injury against the Knights.

Originally published as David Fifita ruled out indefinitely as mystery around Gold Coast Titans axing deepens