Andrew Fifita is league's ironman, having played the most games of any player in 2013

ANDREW Fifita has made critics eat their words by proving he is the most durable player in league, according to stats.

HE was once accused of being an overweight and lazy trainer.

Now, Andrew Fifita is haunting his critics.

Fifita - the 118kg monster - has officially become the NRL's toughest and most enduring footballer.

Fox Sports Stats can today reveal that Fifita has played the most games this year of any player in rugby league - a stunning achievement for a front-rower.

The Sharks, NSW and Test prop has played 33 matches so far in 2013 - 25 for Cronulla, an All Stars match, the City-Country fixture, three games for NSW and three Tests for Australia.

He also played two trial games against Manly and Newcastle.

And Fifita is expected to play the quarter final, semi-final and World Cup final in England.

That would take his grand tally to 38 matches - a monumental effort for a player unwanted by Wests Tigers just two years ago.

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"It's massive," Sharks coach Shane Flanagan said. "Andrew has a big motor and can move around the field. He came to us last year and has learnt about his body, how to eat right and rehydrate.

"He is a big man with a big frame. He can carry some weight but he trained so well in the off-season.

"Andrew did that. We gave him the opportunity but he did all the work."

Manly's Kieran Foran and Newcastle's Darius Boyd are one match behind Fifita on 32 games. One game further back are Cameron Smith, Michael Jennings, Brent Kite and Daly Cherry-Evans.

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Fifita though is the outright leader.

"It's not so much how many games he has played but how many minutes. He plays big minutes," Flanagan said.

"A lot of front rowers at the 18th minute mark look to get out of there. We actually have trouble getting Andrew onto the bench.

"I think he learned a lot this year. He had a knee injury before our semi-final against North Queensland and thought about pulling out.

"A lot of young front-rowers haven't experienced playing with injury, especially these days with first grade squads of 25 to 30 players.

"It was a big point in Andrew's career. He wasn't a stand-out in the game but got through it. Then knew he could play with injury."

News_Image_File: Andrew Fifita against England.

Most Games Played 2013 (as of 11 November)

Andrew Fifita 33

Kieran Foran 32

Darius Boyd 32

Cameron Smith 31

Michael Jennings 31

Brent Kite 31

Daly Cherry-Evans 31

Jorge Taufua 30

Billy Slater 30

Issac Luke 30