David Fifita is fit again and ready to cut loose against South Sydney
David Fifita is expected to make his return against South Sydney on Friday night and rip in against the Rabbitohs.
A few things to note since David Fifita last appeared in the NRL. The game has reverted from two referees to one. Three coaches have been told their services are no longer required and a few more are on thin ice.
Brisbane have lost eight of their past nine games and narrowly averted slumping to last when Parramatta held on against Canterbury on Sunday afternoon.
Even allowing for all that, there has still been time to devote acres of column inches and endless analysis to Fifita’s decision to take up a lucrative deal with Gold Coast Titans, believed to be worth more than $3 million.
His future is layered in gold. It was a decision that stunned many and Fifita has maintained a low profile since.
Only he and his mother Gwen know the real motives behind a decision that sent shockwaves through southeast Queensland.
They have kept mum but there will be no hiding on Friday night as Fifita prepares to make his return against South Sydney, coincidentally the side he faced the last time he pulled on a Broncos jersey.
When the sides met in Round 2, the lead-up was all about the ugly feud between Anthony Seibold and Wayne Bennett.
No doubt, their relationship or lack thereof will be prominent again this week.
There is little love lost between the respective coaches.
Time hasn’t even gone close to healing those wounds. The bad blood still flows, although both men have had more significant issues to deal with in recent weeks given the performance of their respective teams.
The Broncos have lurched from one defeat to the next. Souths haven’t been much better, although there were good signs in the way they rebounded from an early 16-0 deficit to beat St George Illawarra on Thursday night with their captain Adam Reynolds watching from a plastic seat on the sidelines.
The Rabbitohs were among the bidders for Fifita’s services, sending Sam Burgess to Brisbane armed with a multimillion-dollar contract and the promise of a shoulder on which to lean should he ever need a helping hand.
Fifita opted instead for the Titans and Gorden Tallis, a fearsome forward who has vowed to provide some sage advice.
If Fifita returns with the same vigour he had when he left, Broncos fans will watch coming weeks with mixed emotions.
The Broncos were undefeated when Fifita last played, albeit after only two games.
In Round 2, he ran for more than 150 metres against Souths and busted a handful of tackles, backing up a devastating performance on the opening weekend of the season against North Queensland.
He has been sorely missed.
He returns with the Broncos still in turmoil, although their latest performance against Cronulla showed signs of improvement and they will be strengthened by not only Fifita, but also most likely halfback Brodie Croft.
It seems hard to believe Thomas Dearden will be dislodged from the No.7 jersey, meaning if Croft is to make his return against South Sydney it could either be from the interchange bench or in place of the much-maligned Anthony Milford.
Prop Matt Lodge was expected to be in contention to play as well, although it appears more likely he will be at least another week away as he recovers from a knee problem.
Souths are also undermanned, although Reynolds was said to be feeling much better on Sunday after injuring his shoulder against the Dragons.
He will be assessed during the week and, after the initial concern, there is every chance he could play against the Broncos.
If he does play, his shoulders will need to be at their strongest given he marshalls the opposite side of the field to Fifita.
Fifita’s mind is finally clear. His body has been repaired.
He has five months of frustration he is ready to unleash on the Rabbitohs.
More Coverage
Parramatta legend: ‘24 Panthers don’t have a hope against ‘83 Eels
Penrith have claimed their place in the rugby league record books, but Parramatta great Ray Price has rejected suggestions they’ve gone past his Eels, claiming they had “every position and we every tactic covered”. WHO IS BETTER? VOTE NOW.
Kangaroos selection shocks: NRL legends’ Test careers appear over
Mal Meninga has dropped a major selection bombshell by overlooking both James Tedesco and Kalyn Ponga for Kangaroos selection, with the list of surprise omissions and debutants not ending there. See the full squad.