NRL 2024: Sydney Roosters urged to go after David Fifita in first meeting since backflipping to stay at Gold Coast Titans
For the first time, David Fifita will come face-to-face with the team he sensationally ditched earlier this year, with one Roosters legend calling for Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and the rest of the Sydney side to target the backflipping Titan.
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A former Roosters captain has urged his side to start Sunday’s grudge match against Gold Coast by kicking off directly to Titans forward David Fifita, before declaring: “JWH will be pushing blokes out of the way to get there first – imagine the collision and carnage.”
Welcome to rugby league’s Backflip Cup.
Fifita, the 115kg giant, will for the first time confront the team he joined and then controversially walked away from – the Sydney Roosters - this Sunday at Cbus Stadium.
With firebrand Jared Waerea-Hargreaves back from suspension, the match is certain to be aggressive through the middle as Roosters forwards remind Fifita about his decision to ditch them.
Fifita agreed to become a Rooster in May before reneging on the deal to re-join Gold Coast. His four-year deal at the Roosters was worth $3m.
When Nick Politis discovered Fifita was wavering, the Roosters chairman sensationally pulled the offer.
“The call could be that the Roosters kick off straight to Fifita and let’s see what he’s got,” said former Roosters captain Sean Garlick, who played 64 games at Bondi between 1994 and 1997.
“I’m sure Roosters players will be there to accommodate him. That’s what we’re looking for.
“Obviously Jared will be there first. He will be pushing blokes out of the way to get there first, for sure. That’s what everyone loves about him.
“Fifita and Jared - what a great collision that would be. Image the carnage afterwards.
“You have to expect that it (Fifita’s backflip) would be mentioned at some stage in the Roosters dressing room this week. If not formally by the coach, the players will know what’s going on.
“You’re always looking for that bit of extra motivation, especially for games you’re expected to win and the Roosters will be firm favourites.
“Nick was ahead of the game. Whenever you sense somebody isn’t 100 per cent committed, you have to call it and Nick took the decision away from Fifita in the end. We need more of that in the game.”
Fifita has been named to start on Sunday.
Another Roosters legend is certain the game will be “fiery.”
“Look, it will be fiery, no doubt about it,” said Roosters legend Anthony Minichiello. “There will be a bit of niggle here and there. If you commit and then back out, it’s always: ‘Let’s forget about him’.
“But the game is too fast to have that going on for 80 minutes. The players are all professional and disciplined these days.”
Ex-Test star Noel Cleal is a former Roosters player who is also close to Des Hasler, the Titans coach.
“I think David Fifita will have a point to prove,” Cleal said. “He will want to vindicate his decision and show the Roosters what they missed out on.
“There could be some niggle but it will only be a few slaps in it. See who can slap the hardest.”
Asked for his thoughts on Fifita’s backflip, Cleal said: “It was some of Des’ finest work.”
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