BATTLESCARRED FIFITA PULLS PIN
THE confronting reality of being told he needs seven different operations has led champion Cronulla prop Andrew Fifita to announce his retirement from the NRL.
Viewed by many as the greatest Sharks prop of alltime, Fifita has made the emotional call to hang up his boots despite talking with Manly and Canterbury about a contract for 2023.
“I had spoken to (Manly’s) Dessie (Hasler) and (Canterbury’s) Cameron (Ciraldo) about helping them with some leadership in their pack next year,’’ Fifita said.
“I was keen to help Cam in his first year to help get the team jelling in year one.
“What killed me was the medicals. When you’re leaving a club you have an exit medical which analyses your body.
“The doc sat me down and ran me through it all.’’
In August, Fifita declared publicly the 2022 season would be his last at his beloved Cronulla. Playing 22 games gave the 33-year-old confidence he could play-on. That was, until a recent meeting with Sharks club doctor George Pitsis.
“The MRI scans showed that I could keep playing, but I would need to push through a fair few things that my body needs work on,’’ Fifita said.
“I need osteotomy surgery on my left knee, that’s when they actually cut the bone and add tissue to realign your bones.
“I need my left ankle surgically straightened,
I need a right shoulder reconstruction, my nose bone is collapsing, so I need a nose reconstruction.
“I need my middle finger fused, a right elbow arthroscopy and I’ve lost all my back teeth, so I need dental surgery and teeth implants.’’