NRL great spills truth behind David Fifita’s State of Origin snub

The decision to overlook one of the game’s most damaging stars was met with shock, now the truth behind the decision has come to light.

Rugby league great and Queensland selector Darren Lockyer has opened up on the shock omission of David Fifita from the Maroons team.

The Gold Coast Titans forward was once again overlooked for the team ahead of the State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium on July 17.

Watch every game of every round this NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

Many expected Fifita would earn a recall for the decider, but Billy Slater elected to stick with his current crop as he shifted Kurt Capewell into the starting line-up and moved Felise Kaufusi to the bench.

The Maroons coach said he had not been convinced by Fifita’s form throughout the 2024 NRL season.

“Dave was a serious consideration but we feel that the 17 players that have been chosen are the 17 players that have earned the opportunity to be here,” Slater said.

“All Queenslanders are considered and Dave is a name that has been in the conversation for all games. He started the season a bit behind the eight-ball and he’s still working back to the standard that he created for himself last year.

“I’m sure he’d be the first to admit that … ultimately this is the 17 we feel is the right 17 for the game next week.”

Now Lockyer has revealed more reasoning behind the decision to leave out the man who played in all three games in last years series.

Fifita missed out for the Origin decider. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

“Dave has obviously found some form in the last few weeks and that’s with the Titans going a bit better,” Lockyer said on Wide World of Sports’ QLDER.

“Billy watches a lot of football, he would have studied Dave over the last three weeks.

“I think the biggest thing for Dave to work on is that when he gets fatigued or tired, that’s when the habits of an Origin player are important.

“That’s just one part of Dave’s game that he can be better at and if he takes that on board and takes the disappointment and knows that there are still little things he needs to get better … it’s up to him now.”

Fifita will be watching on from the couch. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Billy overlooked the Titans forward. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

The decision however to leave Fifita out of the team for the third and final match of the series didn’t sit well with NRL legend Wally Lewis.

Lewis said the current 17-man team had him worried for the Maroons in the wake of them being blown off the park by the Blues in Game 2.

“We’re lacking a bit of size,” Lewis said.

“It will be quite interesting to see how the other player responds. I’m sure Billy will be talking to the players and just saying to them that he’s shown faith in them and it’s about time they respond.

“They have another chance now to remind the coach that he made the right decision.”

The State of Origin decider will take place on July 17 with the game to get underway from 8.05pm (AEST).