Analysis: The David Fifita numbers that show Billy Slater was right to omit him from the Maroons for Game 3
David Fifita was snubbed by Maroons coach Billy Slater because he failed at his final hurdle. DAVID RICCIO breaks down how and why the damaging forward missed out on selection.
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David Fifita was snubbed by Maroons coach Billy Slater because he failed at his final hurdle.
And below are the numbers to prove it.
With a Queensland jersey up for grabs, the Titans backrower had every reason to dominate against the Sharks in Coffs Harbour last Friday night.
He got a game perfectly suited for the big man to do what he does best.
All he needed to show Slater was how much he wanted it.
A lethal weapon with the football, Fifita is a big man who salivates in attack.
Well, Fifita practically had a red carpet ride into the Queensland side, if he wanted to take it, given the amount of possession the Titans enjoyed against Cronulla in the first-half.
Within the first 17 minutes, the Titans led 12-0 nil yet had so much ball they could’ve led by 20 points.
The ill-disciplined Sharks had to make 88 tackles compared to the Titans 18 during that period. Fifita couldn’t have asked for a better game to let loose on.
By halftime, the Sharks had completed just 10 sets compared to the Titans’ 22.
Yet Fifita, despite his efforts to get the ball and to zero-in on halfback Nicho Hynes, struggled to impose himself.
By halftime he had run the ball 10 times for 46 metres; a measly average of just over four metres per carry.
Neither did he have a single tackle bust as Hynes locked the big man up without missing a tackle.
Fifita tried to get going in the second half, adding another nine runs to his total of 19 for the match.
He finished with just over six metres per carry for the match and came up with just one tackle bust for the entire game.
Yes, Fifita was busy, but hardly damaging.
This from one of the most destructive players in the game when he wants to be, is why Slater decided to look the other way.
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Originally published as Analysis: The David Fifita numbers that show Billy Slater was right to omit him from the Maroons for Game 3
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