Fifita to miss after playing with pain-killing jabs
Joel Gould |
Gold Coast forward David Fifita will not play this weekend due to a lingering ankle complaint that has led to him playing through pain during nine rounds.
AAP has learned that Fifita has been receiving pain-killing injections in the ankle in order to play after complications from pre-season surgery persisted.
He was given a jab as recently as Sunday when he played for the Ipswich Jets in a 32-0 loss to Northern Pride after being dropped by coach Des Hasler.
Fifita will now not play for the Titans against Newcastle away on Friday night or for the Jets in their home clash with Townsville Blackhawks on Sunday.
One narrative about the Queensland and Test second-rower is that he has not been putting in maximum effort but his courage to play through the pain proves otherwise.
The situation has reached a point where the Titans confirmed on Tuesday the 25-year-old would consult a specialist on the issue.
Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, ahead of his 100th NRL game, said his teammate had not dropped his bundle after being axed.
“Dave was really good last week with all the media talk and a lot of things being said,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.
“He turned up with the right attitude and got us ready to play the game on the weekend.”
Hasler said after the side’s loss to Canterbury on Sunday that Fifita “had to review some areas and he had some thinking to do in some areas” of his game.
Fa’asuamaleaui said Fifita’s relationship with Hasler was not the issue.
“There’s some areas he needs to work on in his game and sort some stuff away from (training),” he said.
“They definitely get along. Des has backed him since the beginning.”
The Titans skipper is close to Fifita and is making sure he is encouraged.
“I’m trying to keep him up and making sure he’s okay and how his personal life is and his head …being there as a mate,” he said.
“The coach is the coach for a reason and makes decisions for what’s best for the team and club. Whatever the coach says, I back.”
While it was Fifita that was dropped after the 50-18 thrashing by North Queensland a fortnight ago, other players could easily have been left out for their own shortcomings.
The Titans have lost five games in a row and Fa’asuamaleaui said introspection across the board was required.
“They’ve got to look at their own job as players and really ask themselves are they doing the job for the team the best they can,” he said.
“(Being dropped is) the result of what happens if you don’t.
“We are in a rut and have to question if we’re doing everything right and putting your best foot forward when you cross that line.”
In Titans team news, star half Jayden Campbell returns from an ankle injury to play the Knights and replaces Tom Weaver who will miss the trip to Newcastle due to concussion protocols.
AAP
