NRL 2020: Brisbane Broncos’ David Fifita set to make return against Rabbitohs
The Broncos finally have something to smile about with one huge inclusion expected to be made for Friday night’s clash with South Sydney in a growing grudge match with former Red Hill mentor Wayne Bennett.
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Boom Brisbane backrower David Fifita will storm back into first grade this weekend to try and destroy the finals’ hopes of the coach who first blooded him.
Fifita is expected to make his long-awaited return to the NRL on Friday night when the Broncos travel to Sydney to play the Rabbitohs – in what will be the 20-year-old’s first game back since undergoing knee surgery during the COVID break.
Fifita trained with the main squad on Monday morning in further signs he will play on Friday night, ironically against former mentor and head coach Wayne Bennett.
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It was Bennett who gave Fifita his first chance in the NRL in 2018 when the little known backrower was pitchforked into the side for their Round 16 clash with Canberra.
The relationship between the two became extremely close, with Fifita going to the extent of reportedly weighing up his options in following Bennett to the Rabbitohs last year.
However, the barnstorming Bronco will be hoping to spoil South Sydney’s finals’ hopes this weekend by sparking his side to an upset win at ANZ Stadium.
With the Broncos languishing in second-last on the premiership ladder, the inclusion of Fifita for Friday’s encounter has come as a much-needed confidence boost for the rest of the playing group.
Fifita trained on the right edge on Monday morning, with strike weapon Kotoni Staggs playing outside him in what poses to be a dangerous one-two punch to the Rabbitohs left edge defence.
Staggs – who scored a hat-trick against South Sydney earlier this season – said he was excited to combine with Fifita on the right edge.
“We all know what Davey can do,” Staggs said.
“He just goes out there and he has a lot of aggression about him so he just goes out there to play well.
“Davey’s a young player and all the boys want to play alongside him, myself as well.
“He’s going to lift the team up this week.
“Everyone’s excited to have him back in the team.”
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Staggs is another Bronco coming up against his first ever NRL mentor in Bennett and revealed just how influential the Rabbitohs coach was.
“Being a young kid wanting to play for the Broncos, to be coached by Wayne was a dream come true,” he said.
“I had an opportunity to come up to top grade and play under him, I was stoked.
“I was lost for words.
“I was grateful for the opportunity to be coached by him.”
Broncos forward Payne Haas said having his engine room teammate Fifita back in the side was a confidence-boost for the entire playing group.
“It’s good to have him back this week,” Haas said.
“He trained with us last week and trained the house down.
“It’s good to have him back this week and gives us a lot of confidence.”
Originally published as NRL 2020: Brisbane Broncos’ David Fifita set to make return against Rabbitohs