NRL 2022: Titans star David Fifita reveals secret injury battle

Free of pain after an injury-interrupted end to the 2021 season, David Fifita promises he will return a more complete player - and that’s good news for the Titans’ young halfback.

David Fifita battled a rib cartilage injury at the end of last season. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

David Fifita has revealed he received four painkilling injections per match to dull the agony of a rib cartilage injury he battled through the final five matches of the Titans season.

Fifita scored five of his record 17 tries in his debut season with Gold Coast wearing a chest guard to protect the severe rib injury he suffered against the Cowboys in Round 21.

The pain was so intense Fifita said it took a modified training regimen and four injections to numb the pain enough to take the field against the Rabbitohs, Storm, Knights, Warriors and Roosters in the preliminary final.

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Fifita admitted he kept the severity of his injury a secret from the public.

“I had four needles every time just to numb it,” the 21-year-old Queensland forward said.

David Fifita battled through a painful rib cartilage injury in the final rounds last season. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“It was really sore. The staff helped me throughout the week with modified (sessions).

“Every game when I hurt it against the Cowboys.”

Fifita played 297 out of a possible 400 minutes in the five matches after the Cowboys game.

The young forward said the time away from the game had allowed him to make a full recovery as he works towards being an 80-minute player on the Titans right edge, partnering young halfback Toby Sexton.

“I can’t predict the future, I just have to be ready for whatever,” Fifita said.

“I had an ongoing injury but that is gone now.

“The eight-week break helped me, I don’t feel it and have it anymore.”

David Fifita is working hard to improve his defence during the off-season. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Fifita said he had only fulfilled his pre-season vow of improving his defence “in patches” and declared he would return in 2022 a more complete player.

“I’m working hard on it this season, not just my defence but my attack and my combo with Toby Sexton,” he said.

Fifita cut a slimmer figure at training than at the end of the season, which he credited to the Gold Coast sunshine, diet and hard work.

Originally published as NRL 2022: Titans star David Fifita reveals secret injury battle