Fifita out as silence fuels Gold Coast talk

THE Broncos have been dealt a major blow, with superstar back-rower David Fifita ruled out for at least another fortnight as an injury crisis threatens to derail Brisbane’s season.

The Fifita development came as Broncos prop and former Titans rookie Payne Haas revealed he had got in the ear of his best mate, urging him to reject a massive $1.25 million payday from the Gold Coast.

Broncos coach Anthony Seibold said Brisbane’s medical team could not set a date on Fifita’s return after the Queensland Origin ace was ruled out of Friday night’s clash against the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.

The Broncos were initially hoping Fifita would be cleared for the Tigers showdown, but he is out of action and it is understood he will also be sidelined for Brisbane’s blockbuster against the Storm on Friday week.

The Broncos have been decimated by injuries with star quartet Alex Glenn, Kotoni Staggs, Matt Lodge and Jake Turpin to also miss this week’s Tigers tussle.

The 107kg back-rower may not return until August, by which time the 14th-placed Broncos will be walking a topeight tightrope or out of finals contention altogether.

A specialist has cleared Fifita to resume running but Seibold admits he has no idea when he will receive the medical green light to play again.

The Broncos haven’t heard from Fifita, 20, since last Thursday, triggering some concern he is seriously weighing up changing his mind again and quitting Brisbane to accept a club record offer from the Titans.

Haas, who quit the Titans at 16, is Fifita’s closest confidant at the Broncos and has implored his fellow Keebra Park product to stay loyal.

“I have told him that I want him to stay here,” Haas said.

“I have told him that plenty of times but at the end of the day he is a man.”