NRL 2021: Why Sharks axed star forward Andrew Fifita | Sports Confidential
Andrew Fifita was the biggest-name casualty on Team List Tuesday, and Sharks coach John Morris has revealed why he didn’t make the cut.
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A focus on defence has led to Andrew Fifita’s axing from the Cronulla side but coach John Morris has not closed the door on Fifita making his way back into the top 17.
Fifita was the biggest-name casualty when teams were released on Tuesday with the two-time prop of the year overlooked for Cronulla’s match against St George Illawarra on Sunday. Instead he is expected to line-up for feeder-club Newtown against the Dragons on Sunday.
Morris made the brave call with his own coaching future on the line.
“It’s a testament to the other middles in our squad and how fiercely the competition is for spots this year,” Morris said.
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“Defence has been a huge focus for us. That was one part of our game that wasn’t up to scratch. We were 16th for missed tackles. The boys have known from the first day of pre-season that the side was going to be picked on who put in the work. There have been some guys who have really earnt their jersey and I couldn’t leave them out.
“That’s the 17 I’ve gone for this week.”
Veteran Aiden Tolman and skilful middle Billy Magoulious have taken Fifita’s spot. The path back to the NRL could be harder for the Tongan international too when Royce Hunt and Siosifa Talakai make their return to the top grade. Fifita has shed weight during the off-season but his ability to do a complete a normal training load is hampered by his knee condition.
Morris expects Fifita to push for a first grade spot again.
“Of course Andrew is a huge part of our team,” Morris said. “He understands the areas of his game that we want to see improvement in. Losing the weight that he has already will allow to do things more effectively. He has been positive in receiving the news and wants to turn it around as quick as he can.”
I’M STATUE WORTHY
Anthony Mundine is set to call time — yes, really — on an incredible sporting career when he fights Michael Zerafa on Saturday in Bendigo.
It may be far away from the national limelight but Mundine has no doubt about the legacy he is leaving behind.
“There should be a statue in every city for me,” Mundine told us.
But in a rare moment of inflection, Mundine said: “Thank you to everybody, thanks whether you were a lover or hater, I appreciate the support, the motivation, everything.
“I have achieved more things than I could have dreamed of when I started, I’d hoped for one world title shot and I got three. And all that I did in my league career, it’s been a blessing.
“Zerafa is a young fighter in his prime, but I’m going to give it a good, Aussie crack and if I catch him, I’m coming in for the kill.”
The fight will be streamed on mundine.tv for $29.95.
As for what’s next for the 45-year-old, Mundine is keen to mentor youth.
“I am pretty passionate about talking to kids, of all races, I want to do motivational speaking and talk to the government about a speaking circuit,” he said.
“It’s crazy to look back on my journey. I was talking to my dad about it, and it’s just gone so quick.
“But I’m looking forward to having a good break, spending more time with my kids, and not having the gruelling training camps.”
STATUE OF LIMITATIONS
Some eyebrows were raised at the unveiling of the Cameron Smith and Billy Slater statues on Wednesday with suggestions they didn’t exactly resemble the Storm legends. Well, once you’ve had a look at some of the calamities across the world you will soon realise the Smith/Slater piece is a work of art.
The soccer-world dominates some of the worst statues of all-time. Cristiano Ronaldo’s bust at Madeira Airport was so bad it was replaced by a new statue while Mo Salah’s statue in Egypt looks more like Simpson’s character Todd Flanders than the Liverpool great. Tributes to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Michael Essien also caused a stir.
We can’t tell you why baseball legend Walter Johnson looks like he is a character from a sci-fi movie while tennis star Andy Murray was ‘rewarded’ with a terracotta statue for winning the Shanghai Masters in 2011.
A VUNIVALU DOUBLE
The 14-year-old brother of dual-code superstar Suliasi Vunivalu is being chased by at least six clubs across league and rugby.
Joseph Vunivalu, who already stands at 190cm and is said to possess the same playing capabilities as his older brother, has been sounded out by the Bulldogs, Souths, Wests Tigers, Panthers, Eels and Super Rugby club NSW Waratahs.
Suliasi Vunivalu has made the switch from NRL premiers Melbourne Storm to rugby side Queensland Reds, and will make his starting debut this weekend in Super Rugby.
Joseph is too young to be signed to a commercial deal but the clubs desperately want him in their academy programs.
NRL agent Ratu Suka of Pride Sports Management, who has not signed the teenager but has been assisting his family via Fijian translation, confirmed the immense interest in the youngster.
“Joseph is already six foot three, he just turned 14 last December,” Suka said.
“There’s a lot of clubs that are interested in him.
“I have helped his family with some translation because a lot of the Fijian boys have trouble understanding everything in contracts and what is being told to them.
“I also explained that education is the most important thing for Joseph. It is crucial for all the young players coming through, to think about the career path after footy too.”
Meanwhile, the other young Joseph on everyone’s lips, Joseph Suaalii, will be auditioning for an NRL start on Saturday when he lines up for the North Sydney Bears against Blacktown Sea Eagles.
The match will be shown live on Fox League.
The Roosters are expecting to find out next week if the NRL allows Suaalii to make his first grade debut before his 18th birthday.
BIG DEAL FOR LIDDLE
Luckless Wests Tigers hooker Jacob Liddle can’t remember the last time he played the opening game of the season. Not just in the NRL but anywhere such has been his horrid injury run in recent years.
“I actually don’t know,” Liddle said. “I can’t tell you. It’ll be exciting to start the season with the rest of the competition and go from there and not be left behind a little bit.”
Liddle will finally get his chance to start a year in the No.9 jersey next week. It will be a reward for his perseverance and the faith the Tigers have kept in him with injuries limiting the 24-year-old to 44 games in five years.
“You go through your dark days with rehab and injuries,” Liddle said. “Quitting has never crossed my mind. Footy has been my life for a little bit now. I’m committed to keep going and having a crack.”
SHAKING UP THE MENTAL WELLBEING LANDSCAPE
The NRL has partnered with Adam MacDougall’s The Man Shake and The Lady Shake to encourage NRL fans to get physically and mentally fit while also raising funds and awareness for mental wellbeing.
A percentage of the money raised from new registrations for The Man Shake and The Lady
Shake will go towards the NRL’s State of Mind programs throughout March. During the
campaign, The Man and Lady Shake will donate a percentage all product sales and sign-ups
to the Man and Lady Challenge.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said MacDougall’s said it was great to partner with the two-time Newcastle premiership winner.
“Adam is a real success story, and his journey, particularly in recent years with The Man Shake, has been inspirational,” Abdo said. “To have Adam and his team commit such a significant amount to our important mental wellbeing program is a wonderful gesture.”
MacDougall, said: “I’m really excited to be partnering up with the NRL to help rugby league fans get healthier and fitter while still enjoying a beer and burger and cheering on their team.”
JUDICIARY TO HIT PLAYERS WHERE IT HURTS
The NRL has given its judiciary charges a tweak ahead of the season by introducing more monetary fines for minor offences. Now grade one charges such as dangerous throw, dangerous contact head/neck and dangerous contact ‘other’ will see players hit with a $1500 fine instead of 100 demerit points. Players will still be restricted to no more than two financial penalties during the regular season while being eligible for an additional fine during the finals.
NRL head of football Graham Annesley wrote to club bosses telling them of the changes.
“These changes are designed to ensure players who commit relatively minor offences are penalised for their offences without missing matches unless they are regular repeat offenders,” Annesley wrote.
Fines for grade one tripping, careless high tackle, contrary conduct and detrimental contact were introduced in 2017.
SHORT BITES
The Dally M award will keep its traditional 3-2-1 voting process. The NRL considered revamping the awards including giving every player a rating out of 10. Instead after meeting with a panel of experts they have opted against making any significant changes this season but will re-explore the possibility next year.
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NRL players will enjoy the luxury of not starting the season in the bubble but have been warned any border closures would force them back under tough restrictions. Club bosses were told in a phone hook-up on Wednesday that to ensure the competition is played, players will need to go above community standards should the borders closed – meaning the reintroduction of the bubble.
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The last time Manly won an opening round match their halves partners were Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans. You have to go back to 2013 for Manly’s last opening round win having lost their past seven first up matches. The Roosters haven’t had much luck to kick off-the season either in recent years, losing six of their past eight – including their last three.
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Josh Jackson’s permanent switch to the no.13 jersey has been seasons in the making. Jackson will move to the middle of the field ahead of the clash against Newcastle on Friday after giving up the no.11 shirt which has been almost synonymous with Jackson in recent years.
“The last two or three years under (former coach) Dean (Pay) the plan was to start playing 13 but in the pre-season someone has got injured or something has happened so I needed to start on the edge,” Jackson said. “I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a position that suits me. I play more like a middle. You need powerful guys with tackle breaking ability on the edge and we get that with Corey Waddell, Adam Elliott and Raymond Faitala-Mariner.”
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The Coogee Dolphins will travel to Wagga Wagga on Saturday to play the Wagga Brothers in the annual David Mavroudis Shield. The match honours the six Dolphins who died in the Bali bombing.
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Expect some explosive comments from rugby league boss Peter V’landys when he sits down with Matty Johns for his new show next Wednesday.
V’Landys will be the first guest on Matty Johns Face to Face to air on Fox League throughout 2021, with other guests to include Mundine and Melbourne Storm official Frank Ponissi, who delves into his tenure with South African rugby during the apartheid era.
Sources tell us V’Landys was very strong in the sit-down with Johns regarding league’s position in the sporting landscape, with some particularly cutting comments about the AFL.
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After being stripped of his NRL accreditation, Isaac Moses is expected to receive a show-cause notice from Australian rugby regarding his ability to remain an agent.
Moses manages France-based lock Will Skelton, who Rugby Australia are keen to have return to Super Rugby.
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Sonny Bill Williams officially retired from rugby this week and announced he will focus his attention on boxing.
As we revealed last week, his double-header with Barry Hall has been pushed back to late May/early June to accommodate for his fasting during Ramadan.
It has now emerged that Williams’ likely opponent is Danny Rio, a western Sydney fighter originally from New Zealand who has a record of five wins, three losses and two draws, with four knockout victories.
ALL EYES ON
The rules. Players have already complained about the pace of the game but let’s see how it plays out in the opening week. Will we see a play the ball blitz? Will there be blowout scores? Guaranteed at least one coach will blow up about the consistency of six-again calls.
FLASHBACK
THE Roosters started the season with a bang by beating South Sydney 40-29 to open the 2011 season. Almost 29,000 fans watched as the Rabbitohs roared back from a 22-point deficit to snatch the lead with seven minutes to go before Roosters interchange player Tom Symonds crossed twice in the final five minutes.
BLAST FROM THE PAST
Odell Manuel 58 top grade games (39 with the Warriors, 19 Canberra) from 1999-2002
Big barnstorming wingers are now the norm but one of the first to carry defenders with them was former Warrior and Raider Odell Manuel.
Manuel played every game in his debut season at the Warriors scoring nine tries from 24 matches. He earnt his first start after impressing in a trial match he was not supposed to play.
“I went along with the team to Brisbane to play pre-season games against Brisbane and Melbourne,” Manuel said. “Sean Hoppe pulled out the night before the game against Melbourne with a shin-splint injury so I got the call up.
“I was lucky enough to play every game that year. By the end of the season I was pretty drained.”
Manuel played 15 games the following season before joining the Raiders in 2001. His stint in Canberra lasted just 19 matches after he walked away from the club 10 rounds into the 2002 season.
“It took me about half the season to get into first grade in my first year,” Manuel said. “The second year it was my fault. My attitude changed. I got home sick. (Coach) Matt Elliott was a really good man. Back then I would’ve said it was all their fault but I wasn’t performing.
“I just walked away. I packed my bags up and went to New Zealand feeling sorry for myself. It was sad. I regret doing that.”
Manuel had a few false starts again trying to ignite his career- first in New Zealand before an opportunity with North Queensland led to him playing for their feederclub the Central Comets in 2006.
His return lasted just a handful of games before he had to retire because of chronic arthritis in his knee. Manuel then switched careers to become a power lifter.
“My dad got me in the gym when I was 10,” Manuel said. “Even at a young age I hated it I but when I came back from the Raiders I started to develop the love for it.”
Manuel, who works as a council truck driver in Rockhampton, rose all the way to become six-time Australian powerlifting champion and competed internationally before retiring in 2019.
He played his NRL matches at 105 kilograms but weighed as much as 150 kgs during his powerlifting days.
“I found it hard stopping footy after being told you couldn’t do it anymore,” Manuel said. “Power lifting was an outlet for me.”
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Originally published as NRL 2021: Why Sharks axed star forward Andrew Fifita | Sports Confidential
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