Andrew Fifita set for Kangaroos Four Nations snub despite Sharks grand final heroics

AFTER being controversially overlooked for the Clive Churchill Medal, Andrew Fifita is set to be snubbed for the Kangaroos’ Four Nations squad.

CRONULLA have had their day in the sun, now for a dose of post grand final reality.

After being controversially overlooked for the Clive Churchill Medal following his match-winning performance, powerhouse prop Andrew Fifita is set to be snubbed for the Kangaroos’ Four Nations squad.

The Daily Telegraph understands Fifita is still on the outer following a meeting between Test coach Mal Meninga and ARL Commission chairman John Grant.

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The NRL’s integrity unit is yet to decide if Fifita will be disciplined for his public support of one-punch killer Kieran Loveridge.

While neither Meninga nor the NRL would elaborate on Fifita’s selection availability on Monday, Meninga has previously stated that off-field image is as important as on-field performances when it comes to selecting a Kangaroos touring squad.

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The NRL was also forced to deny that any directive was given to Australia’s Test selectors on Sunday night not to pick Fifita as the grand final’s best player. With an estimated $1 million bet on the Clive Churchill Medal through various agencies, debate raged that if Fifita was ruled ineligible punters should have been ­notified.

After starting the match as a $17 outsider for the medal, Fifita’s odds were slashed to $7 at half-time after his barnstorming opening spell. James Maloney was the most popular pick, coming in from $6 to $3 at halftime, while ultimate winner Luke Lewis was $17 and didn’t shift in betting.

Andrew Fifita was a powerhouse for the Sharks in their grand final success. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Of almost 8000 fans who took part in The Daily Telegraph’s online poll, 36 per cent voted for Fifita ahead of James Maloney (23 per cent) and Lewis (19 per cent).

Rugby league experts were also split between Fifita and Maloney. Ben Ikin said he would have gone for Maloney, while Greg Alexander said Fifita was a “standout”.

Steve Roach also said Fifita would have won his vote, while Matty Johns went for Maloney ahead of Fifita.

Asked if he thought Lewis was best on ground, Meninga said: “He was one of them”.

Andrew Fifita celebrates with supporters at the Sharks fan day on Monday. Picture: Gregg Porteous

There was speculation the Test selectors, who pick the Clive Churchill Medal, were forced to make their decision before Fifita scored his match-winning try, more than 10 minutes before the match finished.

But it is understood Channel 9 was only informed that Lewis had won the award one minute before full-time.

Even if the selectors made their decision before Fifita’s history-making effort, that makes the decision to pick Lewis more baffling considering Melbourne led the match at that point.

Andrew Fifita celebrates after his try in the grand final.

Roach summed up the feeling of many fans: “I don’t want to disrespect Luke Lewis but you would hate to think it had anything to do with ­Fifita’s off-field stuff.

“I don’t agree with what he has done and I am happy for Luke to get it, but aren’t you supposed to pick the best player? I don’t know.”

With the controversy raging, the NRL curiously pulled the pin on Monday’s planned announcement of the Kangaroos touring squad.

While the NRL sent out a media release on Sunday night to notify everyone about the planned announcement, it backflipped Monday, delaying it until Tuesday.

The NRL claimed that it wanted to leave the day “to the Sharks’ celebrations of their first premiership”.

With Fifita not expected to make it, Cronulla’s best chance appears to be Wade Graham.

Maloney and Paul Gallen are also fighting for selection along with young winger Valentine Holmes.