STATE OF ORIGIN: David Fifita backed by Gold Coast Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to regain his Maroons jersey
David Fifita can get back in Queensland coach Billy Slater’s good books, insists injured Maroons forward Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
Gold Coast skipper Fa’asuamaleaui was on hand at Robina on Saturday to watch his Titans teammate Fifita wreak havoc in a dominant display in the 66-6 win over a pathetic Warriors outfit.
The 24-year-old ran for 195m and had 10 tackle breaks in a dominant display.
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Fa’asuamaleaui, out of action for the season with a ruptured ACL after playing 12 consecutive games for the Maroons, said Fifita would get back in the side, possibly as soon as game three.
“Billy won’t rule him out,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.
“He knows what he is capable of. He was a bit unlucky being injured last week, but Dave will keep fighting for the Titans and playing good. He will do his thing.
“Dave is the type of person who will work hard, and I am hoping to see him in a Maroons jersey again.
“I hope to get mine back too. I am still a long way off, but Dave has just got to keep chipping away at it and doing what he is for the Titans and he will be right.”
Fifita played all three Origin games in last year’s 2-1 series win.
Slater explained his decision to leave Fifita out of game one, but said he would be back.
“David created a really high standard for his footy last year, he just hasn’t quite got to that standard this year,” Slater said.
“I’ve got no doubt that Dave will get back to the footy that he played last year, and I’m sure that he’ll play in a Maroons jersey in the future again.”
Competition for spots in the Maroons back-row is fierce, with North Queensland whiz Jeremiah Nanai and St George Illawarra enforcer Jaydn Su’A starting at the MCG.
On the bench are two more back-rowers, with versatile Warriors forward Kurt Capewell and Dolphins veteran Felise Kaufusi both ahead of Fifita at the moment in the pecking order.
