NRL: Dragons debutant Viliami Fifita’s big sacrifice for love of rugby league

It’s a testament to how much Viliami Fifita loves rugby league that this rising star gave up something he loves almost as much to become a NRL debutant in the first round of the 2024 season.

Viliami Fifita of the Dragons in his debut against the Gold Coast Titans. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

It’s a testament to how much he loves rugby league that this rising star gave up something he almost loves as much as playing footy to become one of the first NRL debutants of the 2024 season.

Viliami Fifita wanted to make his NRL debut so badly he sacrificed one of his greatest loves - toasties - to make an impact in the elite game.

Fifita, a Fairfield United and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles junior, said he was a hulking 140kg when just 16 and playing in the Harold Matthew’s competition.

Now trimmed to 115 kilo, this St George Illawarra Dragon said loved his food excessively and would chow down on five or six toasties after every training session.

“I love my food, toast, toast, toast, that’s what I used to eat,’’ said Fifita, sent out for his debut by coach Shane Flanagan in the Dragons 28-4 win over the Titans in round one.

Vili Fifita with his mother and father and family at the jersey presentation. Picture: St George Illawarra Dragons Media

“When I was in Harold Mats, I was real heavy, about 140 kilos and I was around 16.

“But then I went into a pre-season at Manly and dropped a bunch of weight and got down to 115kg.

“Bread was one of the things I loved too much. I love food but I love my footy more.

“The food bill has gone down in the house so mum was happy about that.’’

Viliami Fifita of the Dragons takes on the defence during the opening round. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

When his family - including mother Luisa who was in Samoa with her mother at the time- were told of his impending debut they arrived en-mass at the Dragons for an emotional jersey presentation where Flanagan instructed the 23-year-old to “rip in’’.

Vili Fifita with his mother and father at the jersey presentation. Picture: St George Illawarra Dragons Media

“I’m the middle child. My family just support me so much,’’ said Fifita, who was spotted as a teenager playing football at Fairfield High in Sydney’s west.

“There’s eight of us, four brothers and three sisters but I’m the only one who plays sport.

“Playing football makes me happy. I never want to let my mates down and I just want to be good and consistent for them.

Fifita said his interests away from rugby league include bible study and fishing and he is doing a carpentry apprenticeship at Kogarah.

“I love doing things with my hands. I want to build a house one day,’’ he said.

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Originally published as NRL: Dragons debutant Viliami Fifita’s big sacrifice for love of rugby league