NRL 2021: David Fifita accepts bench role, speaks out on ‘lazy’ jibes
Star forward David Fifita has spoken out on his new on-field role at the Titans and responded to accusations of being “lazy”.
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David Fifita accepts he may have to play off the bench for the rest of the season as the Titans prepare to change tactics in a bid to book a top eight finish come September.
The barnstorming backrower was forced to watch the first 24 minutes of Sunday’s Titans v Dragons clash from the interchange bench as coach Justin Holbrook looked to change things up to get the best out of the 21-year-old.
The late change proved successful with Fifita coming on with immediate impact, scoring a try within 10 minutes of going on to the field.
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He finished the match with 146 running metres, 11 tackle busts and a try assist to help the Titans to their equal highest win over the Dragons and a valuable two premiership points to keep their season alive.
Holbrook admitted post-match he would look to use a similar game plan in future matches and Fifita said he accepted the ploy to keep Gold Coast’s finals hopes alive.
“I’m just happy to do my part for the team,” Fifita said.
“We just have to keep it week by week at training and see what happens.
“Justin and the staff do a good job and whatever they want to do, I’ll listen. (I’ll do) whatever is best for the team.”
The Gold Coast’s highest paid player has been accused of being “lazy” and inconsistent for the Titans, with suspensions and the Origin period affecting his performance.
And the tackle busting machine even admitted he thought his 2021 season had been slightly erratic.
“It’s probably been up and down for myself,” he said.
“I just have to keep training hard and keep improving.
“I just have to do whatever the team wants and keep training hard.
“I know I can get better.
“I’ve just got to keep improving, week by week, by training hard.
“I’m building a combination with Toby (Sexton) now and just keep at it.”
The 20-year-old Sexton made his NRL debut on Sunday and did not disappoint, scoring a try, setting up another and kicking five from five conversions.
The young playmaker said he was fighting to keep his spot in the NRL side for the remainder of the season.
“I loved every minute of it and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to be here again next week,” Sexton said.
“That’s the goal for me.
“Whether that happens or not, that’s not up to me. I can’t control that.
“I just have to make sure I train well and keep putting my best foot forward.”
Fifita buries ‘lazy’ claims as Titans remain in finals race
Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook admits he may look to use David Fifita off the bench for the rest of the season after the barnstorming backrower kept the Titans’ season alive with a 32-10 win over the Dragons at Cbus Super Stadium.
After a week of being labelled “lazy” and inconsistent, the 21-year-old Fifita was almost unstoppable after starting the game on the bench and finishing with a try, a try assist and eight tackle busts.
When asked whether he would start Fifita off the bench in future games, Holbrook said: “Possibly, yeah”.
“We had the first chance of doing it today and it worked well which is always a good sign,” Holbrook said.
“The impact that he brings is just massive for us and he’s just such a good player.
“We’ve got to be smart with how we use him and it worked great today.
“We’ll have a look at next week but I’m happy with how it worked today.”
Fifita currently leads the competition in tackle busts – with 121 – but Holbrook admitted there was still plenty more room for improvement.
“He’s going to get so much better,” he said.
“He’s only 21-years-old and he’ll get a lot better.
“We’ll keep working with him but he’s shown a number of times this year how good he is.
“Everyone expects that every week and some games it doesn’t pan out that way.
“We’ve just got to get him enjoying his footy and looking forward to playing.
“It’s a good recipe for anyone.”
The Titans have favourable run to the finals, playing four bottom eight teams in their next six games, including the Bulldogs next week and then Cowboys in two weeks’ time.
Meanwhile the Dragons will need to go back to the drawing board after suffering their 10th loss of the season and risk losing their spot in the top eight.
TOBY’S TIME
Young Gold Coast halfback Toby Sexton has been touted as the future of the Titans and his NRL debut on Sunday showed exactly why the club rate him so highly.
The 20-year-old Currumbin Eagles junior is the latest Queensland youngster to spark some excitement in the NRL following the debuts of the likes of Reece Walsh and Sam Walker.
In his first game of NRL, Sexton looked eager to get involved straight away and had some quality touches in a sign of things to come.
His high kick close to the line in the 13th minute led to Gold Coast’s first try of the game while his defence was also to be highly commended.
His impressive debut was capped off with a try, a perfect conversion rate and a try assist.
WORKHORSE WALLACE
Queensland great Billy Moore labelled it one of Gold Coast’s best goal line defensive efforts of the year, led by front rower Jarrod Wallace.
Wallace was another impressive Titan on Sunday afternoon, finishing the match with a rare double try effort.
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