Fifita shows he belongs with the big boys

DAVID Fifita is adamant his young age will not stop his meteoric rise through the rugby league ranks, after the teenage sensation impressed in the absence of Alex Glenn on Thursday night.

The boom Broncos rookie continues to go from strength to strength since his NRL debut in Round 16, putting in his best performance in Bris- bane’s win over Cronulla. He came on to the field in the 28th minute to give Tevita Pangai Jr a break but stayed on until the final whistle after Glenn was sent to hospital with a hand injury.

In that time Fifita made 85m, three tackle busts and 20 tackles.

It was just another step forward for the promising Keebra Park product, who started off this season playing in the under- 18s Mal Meninga competition for Souths Logan.

Alongside Payne Haas, 18year- old Fifita is one of the youngest talents in Brisbane’s squad.

But he said despite his inexperience, he has tackled his NRL career with the attitude that he will never let his age be an excuse for any errors.

“I’m only 18 but that doesn’t matter,” Fifita said in his first interview since his debut.

“I can’t use that as an excuse. I just have to play. This is a tough game with big boys so I have to play hard and do my job and keep working hard.

“I have to do that for the big boys. The older boys are bringing me into the team, teaching me and talking to me heaps.”

While coach Wayne Bennett originally did not want to blood Fifita or Haas this season injuries to Brisbane’s forward pack forced his hand. Young Knights back rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon is surely destined to play Origin for NSW in coming years. Fitzgibbon terrorised the Cowboys left edge of Cooper and Thurston all night, scoring twice off his first three runs to help Newcastle set up an 18- 6 halftime lead. He has already established himself as one of the best hole runners in the business and his combination with Mitchell Pearce is lethal.