Tonga star Andrew Fifita’s media comments wide of the mark

ANDREW Fifita has had a crack at the media for “trying to twist my words”, but the truth is the controversial Tonga and Cronulla star is well wide of the mark.

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SORRY Andrew, but your crack at the Cronulla Sharks was totally unprompted.

And warranted too.

But your suggestion the media tried “to twist your words” are totally unfounded, untrue and disappointing. For your comments about the Sharks showed the passion you have instilled in the Tongan jersey, your pride in representing your country and then your call for equality was totally fair.

I went on Sydney radio defending your comments. I applauded that you stood up for what you believed in. But this Instagram post where you wrote “sometimes you gotta love the media, trying to twist my words” is untrue.

WATCH AND LISTEN TO FIFITA’S COMMENTS YOURSELF IN THE VIDEO PLAYER AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE

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There was no word twisting here in an interview conducted with other media outlets — who all ran the same angle.

There were no sneaky tactics to obtain a quote — you were simply asked if the club had asked you to skip the match to have knee surgery. A pretty regulation question.

But your answer sparked a totally unprompted critique of your club’s stance towards Tonga. You even said “it’s a little hit out at the club” — a quote I opted against running to spare you some grief.

Andrew Fifita had a crack at the Sharks. Picture: Getty Images

You then happily volunteered you were disappointed the club had acknowledged a host of other representative players but not you nor PNG representative James Segeyaro. I can’t say I had scrolled through the club’s Instagram to see who they had congratulated.

Nor was I at the Sharks presentation night when you said CEO Barry Russell had failed to mention your Tongan representation. It has since been said that Russell didn’t even speak at the Monty Porter Medal, with club officials on Tuesday morning saying it was chairman Dino Mezzatesta.

Perhaps you’ve felt some heat this morning from the club who have already sanctioned you for a expletive-laden podcast.

Andrew Fifita (L) watches a Mate Ma'a Tonga training session with teammate Jason Taumalolo in Auckland. Picture: Getty Images

We weren’t trying to drive a wedge through your relationship with the club.

It’s a shame this has happened because you spoke so well in what you said and have been a leader in putting the international game on the map.

But just as you feel the need to speak out when you believe you are misquoted, I also don’t like being accused of twisting words.

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Originally published as Tonga star Andrew Fifita’s media comments wide of the mark