Raw, unfiltered: David Fifita answers all questions in first Titans appearance

David Fifita has addressed concerns on how he’d handle the pressure of being the highest paid player in the NRL, his financial management and the areas of his game he still needs to improve. READ THE FULL TRANSCRIPT

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David Fifita has addressed concerns on how he’d handle the pressure of being the highest paid player in the NRL, his financial management, the areas of his game he still needs to improve on and the latest update on his knee and ankle injuries.

David Fifita models the new Titans jersey. Picture: Titans

How does it feel to be a Titan?

It feels good, you know, being on the Gold Coast. Obviously being down here for school and that with my schooling years down here. It was good to catch up with a few mates. It’s a beautiful day out there so I can’t wait to get to the beach

You’ve wandered in without a moon boot. The ankle going alright?

The ankle, my knee is going alright. Going well with the physios at the club looking after me with my rehab. It’s all going well.

Expecting to get straight into pre-season or will you have rehab to do?

I’ll start Monday.

It was a tough year for you injury-wise. How tough was trying to manage injuries through the year?

Obviously doing my knee and my ankle this year has been a crap year for myself. I’m looking forward to getting into the pre-season on Monday and building for next year.

Did you watch Origin?

Yeah I watched Origin. I’ve got good mates in that team. I swinged them a text or two and I’m happy they got the job done. Happy that they won.

Excited to team up with Tino and having two big blokes ripping in?

Not just Tino, the whole squad. I’m looking forward to meeting all the boys and coaching staff. Tino is my good mate and we’ve been together since schoolboy footy. Looking forward to ripping in.

Lot of expectation on you next year, with money and your ability. How will you handle that expectation?

I’m looking forward to it. It’s a new challenge, new beginning on the Coast. All the money side, my mum is looking after that so I don’t need to worry about that. All I need to worry about is getting my body right in pre-season and ripping in next year.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 18: David Fifita of the Broncos celebrates scoring a try during the round 19 NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Brisbane Broncos at Bankwest Stadium on September 18, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

When you say you’re back Monday, what will you be able to do?

I’ve already started rehab running with my physio and other trainers at Titans. On Monday I’ll probably build up to my running. I’ll be good for round one next year [laughs].

Have you spent much time at Parkwood?

I’ve been in a couple of times during this off period. I think a few of the other boys (start) on Monday, that’s the starting day for pretty much the whole squad.

Do you lean on mateships with the Keebra boys or make new friends?

If it makes my time any easier, they’re all Keebra boys, Tanah (Boyd), Moeaki (Fotuaika), I’m looking forward to training with them and getting to know the other boys and stuff like that. I’m excited.

Any other players you don’t know as well who you’re excited to get on the field with?

Kevvy Proctor sounds like a nice lad. He’s a second-rower as well. Looking forward to meeting him, training with him and playing with him.

You had good friends at Broncos. How hard was it to leave the club?

Obviously a young crew. I’m young too. I’ve got good mates there for life and good connections too. It was really hard, my decision, but I have good mates down here too and I know the Gold Coast really well. It wasn’t hard.

What swayed you in the end to the Titans? What was the clincher?

I love the Coast, love the beach. Just… I don’t know. I had an opportunity to go to Sydney but I didn’t want to go to Sydney. It’s only an hour from my home in Brisbane. It’s what’s best for myself and my family, looking after that. Coming here, seeing how well they did in the back end of the season and the boys that are coming on board too. I think we can really do something special here but we’ll have to wait and see.

Ready for the pressure of being a marquee man?

There’s no pressure. Just got to play my game and get my body right. I know I’ve got to get my body right and the rest will come.

We’ve seen some glimpses of brilliance from you on the field but the game hasn’t seen the best from you yet, has it?

I just need to rip into a good pre-season. I know that I need that and it starts on Monday. I just need to knuckle down in pre-season, stay injury free hopefully.

You talked about Moe and Tino and yourself – you were part of a young and quite vaunted pack at Broncos. Do you feel like Titans have something similar going with the youngsters in their forward pack?

The Broncs, they have boys that do really well. But the boys we have here now at the Titans and the boys who are coming. We’re young. Some old heads and some young guys. I think we can all fit in really well. I’m just looking forward to getting into the pre-season and getting to know all the boys and Tino as well

What do you know about Justin Holbrook and his coaching style?

I caught up with him in the off-season. Saw him at training yesterday. He’s a nice lad, we had a coffee and stuff. He’s a real chilled guy. Just really relaxed. That makes our job as players easier, just chill and when it’s time to train we train. He seems a good lad. The assistant coaches, both Jimmys. They sound like good fellas so I’m looking forward to meeting them too.

What would it mean to turn the Titans into a force and a finals team?

It would mean everything. That’s the goal next year. Top eight, top four. Hopefully we’ll do that next year. I know myself and the boys will train hard in pre-season. I can’t wait for round one.

The premiership is the ultimate, isn’t it, as a player?

100 per cent. That’s my ultimate goal. One my mates’ already got one, Tino. Yeah, that’s the goal.

The toing and froing between the Broncos and Titans dragged on for months. What mental impact did that have on you?

I was injured, you know? I had the time to kick back and sink it all in. I just, sat down, really thought about what I needed to do. I had my own personal stuff going on. I just think that, yeah, it impacted me a little bit because I was injured and I wished I was out there playing because it wasn’t going the way me and the boys wanted at the Broncs. We were grateful to be at Titans now.

Where will you be living on the Coast?

Down towards Burleigh way. That way [laughs].

Is your mum down with you?

No I’m by myself. My mum will stay in Brissy. That’s where I’m going after this.

Gordy Tallis is an ambassador at the Titans. I know you’ve got a huge respect for him and he rates you massively. How big an influence was he?

Gordy is a god lad and a good player. He keeps in touch with me every now and again, swings me a text. You look up to guys like that who played similar positions. Hopefully he comes through to Titans and has a yarn to teach us young boys and do some training. Gordy is always there. He’s a Queenslander, he’s all goods.

Where do you improve? What parts of your game?

I just need to lose weight and I’ll be sweet. That’s the big thing. I just need a good pre-season and I’ll be sweet.

Do you hope there’s parts of your game that Justin Holbrook and the Jimmys can help you take that next step in?

Obviously I’m sweet with my attack, I think. Defensively I heard one of the Jimmys is a real good defensive coach. I’m looking forward to working with him in the off-season to get my defence right. That’s one of the big areas I need to improve on, my defence.

Any inside word on Cameron Smith? Is he coming?

I’m not too sure, aye. He’s got his own vibe, yeah.

You’re a bit of a drawcard for other players. Are there any other players around the NRL you’d love to play with, here?

Yeah. I wouldn’t mind The Cheese (Melbourne Storm hooker Brandon Smith). I’d like The Cheese here… I’m not too sure. We’ve got a squad here and we’ve just got to win some games next year and the rest will take care of itself.

What about having Jojo (Fifita) at the Titans? Does that make it a bit more homely?

I met Jojo when I was at Keebra Park. He came for one of the trials and he killed it. We’re related somewhere down the path. I saw him at training the other day and he looks good, transferring from Union to Rugby League. Having another Fifita is good. Already one down at the Sharks and one in the UK. Just need to look after him and take him under the wing.

We were told he was your twin brother?

He looks like me, aye. He’s only graduated this year. Big future ahead.

Your old school (Keebra Park) is obviously partnering with the Titans, as is PBC. I know your job is to play footy but how much role would you like to play mentoring players at the school?

I spoke to our media guys and Titans, I’d like to go back to Keebra and have a yarn to the kids. In Brisbane I couldn’t get down much. Now I’m here more I can go visit. You look at the history in 3-4 years there’s probably 20 kids playing NRL now. It’s good to talk about my experiences there.

Who would win in a boxing match – Tino or Payne?

Myself. I’d smash them both [laughs]. It’s hard to say, they’re both my mates.