Fifita: Always staying
GIANT FORWARD NOW SETS SIGHTS ON ORIGIN RETURN
BASKING in the aftermath of securing his NRL future, David Fifita has revealed he never truly wanted to entertain the idea of leaving the Titans – even for his former club with which he made his name.
Now the Gold Coast’s marquee man has set his sights on a return to the State of Origin arena.
The 23-year-old announced on Monday night he had extended his stay on the Glitter Strip, with News Corp reporting a three-year deal worth approximately $2.4m.
It is a far cry from the reported $1.25m a season contract he inked upon his arrival at the Titans in 2021, and with that hefty pay packet came a relentless burden of expectation from rugby league commentators.
Fifita said it would come as somewhat of a relief that the hype and conjecture may die down and he could cast aside any off field distractions.
And while the Canberra Raiders were hunting the Tongan international, with a bid from his debut club the Brisbane Broncos threatening the Titans pursuit – he said his intent had always been to remain under coach Justin Holbrook.
“The interest I had I entertained all my options. There were a few clubs there, but my management and my team behind me I worked extremely hard for myself and parents and I knew where I wanted to be at the end of the day,” Fifita said.
“Everyone talks and everyone has their own opinion. But for myself, I just want to play footy and try and win every week.
“It’s always there wherever you go, wherever you play, it’s on everyone in the NRL. But for myself I’m just happy I announced it my way in my time.
“I feel relaxed and I can just work now, and not have everyone asking me what I’m doing. Now that that’s out of the way I can just worry about footy and training.”
Fifita’s retention locks in the Titans forward pack for the foreseeable future, with his extension taking him through until the end of 2026 alongside Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Beau Fermor.
Erin Clark (2025) and Moeaki Fotuaika (2024) have also been secured, with backline star AJ Brimson (2026) to feature in the spine for years to come.
It is the foundation which Fifita believes can help launch him back to the form which garnered him five Origin caps for Queensland between 2019 and 2021.
Fifita’s form was questioned at times throughout last season, with the club suffering a 10-game losing streak to go from finals contenders the year prior to wooden spoon contender.
He said that with much of the core group retained, and the acquisition of Kieran Foran until the end of 2024, a nucleus was there to help propel him back towards rugby league’s grandest stage.
“My first year when I started here I played Origin, and I don’t want to look too far down the track and just take it week by week,” Fifita said.
“I think we have the right puzzles and the right pieces for myself to be back there. I want to be back there, but I know what I need to do to deserve that spot back. I’m just working hard on myself.
“Foz (Foran) is a competitor; he’s such a great leader and his presence around the club is good. It’s what I need, someone telling me what to do and I think Foz does that. “Foz really gets into me, so it’s good to play alongside him.”
Despite picking up a knee injury in the win over the Tigers, Foran has been named to take his place against the Dragons.
Fifita finished with 170 running metres, five tackle busts a linebreak and a try assist in the season opener.