SU’A IS PLAN B IF FIFITA IS OUT
QUEENSLAND coach Kevin Walters has not given up hope of injured David Fifita appearing in this year’s Origin series but has a Plan B in Jaydn Su’A if the Titans-bound forward is ruled out.
Fifita will undergo ankle surgery after breaking down against Parramatta last week and faces at least six weeks on the sidelines — leaving him in grave doubt for the State of Origin opener on November 4.
But Walters remains hopeful Fifita will be available for the final two games of the series and Titans coach Justin Holbrook expects his big-name recruit to play for Queensland.
“We haven’t put a line through Fifita just yet I wouldn’t have thought,” Walters said.
“We will see how he goes, the doctors are going to operate on him in the next few days and we will make a decision in the coming weeks.
“Dave may not be available for Game One, but he may yet be available for Games Two and Three.
“I would be prepared to give Dave some time and space to get his body right first and then we will see how his recovery goes.
“I will talk to the medical people at the Broncos and possibly the Titans and see where he is at. At this stage, I don’t see him not playing a part in this year’s series, unless someone can convince me otherwise.”
Holbrook said: “I’m hearing the talk that he could be right for Origin. I think he is a chance of apparently being back in time.
“Those Origin players will need more time off at the end of that camp. It’s going to throw pre-season starts back for them.”
Walters said the Maroons had a handy replacement in Su’A, the hard-hitting former Bronco who has been superb for South Sydney this season.