Fifita may stay with ‘people’s champions’

Andrew Fifita has given a forceful indication that he and his fellow Mate Ma’a ‘‘defectors’’ will be sticking with Tonga.

Former Australia prop Fifita, denied what he thought was a fair try in the final seconds of an historic semifinal against England, said the team had ‘‘rocked the world’’ over the past five weeks.

‘‘I’m here now - I think we all [are],’’ Fifita told reporters after the 20-18 loss before 30,003 fans at Mt Smart Stadium.

‘‘Wearing a red jersey, we can’t wait until the Pacific series next year. It took a few of us to rock the world. When I say rock the world, I mean we did.’’

Tonga plays Samoa on the same weekend as Origin in 2018. Asked if he still wanted to represent NSW, the Cronulla giant said: ‘‘At the moment, it’s all up in the air.

‘‘I wear my heart on my sleeve, I concentrate on my football and that’s next year.’’

Fifita pulled out of the Australian team to represent Tonga while Jason Taumalolo, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Manu Ma’u and David Fusitu’a turned down the chance to play for New Zealand.

Asked if he had any regrets of missing a World Cup final because of his decision, he said: ‘‘No chance. Come on now. I’m proud of my decision. My parents, my grandfather, my family, the boys in there ... I’m proud of how far we’ve gone.’’

Asked if he would play for Australia again, Fifita said: ‘‘That’s next year. At the moment I’m wearing a red jersey. I can’t speak on that just yet. [Mal Meninga] told me there was no black line through my name. He said, ‘You know me, I pick the best 17’.’’

Fifita said Tonga were ‘‘the people’s champ - I’m happy with that, I think the world’s happy with that.