Skinny' Andrew Fifita fits bill in a big way
* James Phelps
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* September 25, 2010 12:00AM
ARTHUR Beetson took one look at the kid and shook his head.
"Too small," the rugby league Immortal said.
"He will never make it."
Andrew Fifita is the front-rower who, just four years ago, was deemed too small to play rugby league. A 114kg monster knocked back by two clubs because they said he was tiny.
"And I wasn't trying out for a spot in the front row," Fifita said. "I was trialling for a spot on the wing."
As hard as it might be to believe, Fifita was once a rugby league minnow. When he was 16, Fifita tipped the scales at just 70kg.
"Me and my brother David were always wingers and centres," he said. "Weird hey? We were told we're too small to even play on the wing."
Because of his size, or lack of it, Fifita almost gave the game away. He trialled for both the Sydney Roosters and the North Sydney Bears but was told to find another sport.
"I remember him and his brother came and tried out for the Roosters when I was the recruitment manager," Beetson said. "You wouldn't believe it looking at them now but they were wingers. And they weren't very big wingers either. I really didn't think they would be able to make it but it is good to see them prove me wrong."
Desperate to pack on the bulk, the Fifita brothers ate and ate some more. Stuffed protein shakes down their gobs and even drank raw eggs.
"We were that skinny that we always wanted to get bigger," he said.
"We tried eating and all that stuff but it didn't work and then one day I just blew out. It wasn't until I was 17 or 18 that I put the size on. Maybe it was the grog, I don't know. I was seriously pushing to get to 80kg back then. I think I was about 70kg.
"Some of the boys can't believe I was that small. I was a lot quicker back then and fitter. I used to be a state champion cross country runner. I made the nationals for the 800m. Rugby league wasn't my life back then, it was running."
Fifita still has issues with his weight - but nowadays he has to keep it off rather than put it on.
Almost overnight a few years back, like the Nutty Professor, the slimline kid turned into a massive unit.
There was always a good chance the family genes would kick in one day. Fifita's uncle is former Dragon, John Fifita.
"I have to try and keep my weight down now," he said.
"And I have to keep fit to keep my spot. I was 124kg when I came to the Tigers so I have to watch my weight now.
"I got it down to 103kg in the off-season and I am up to 114kg now. I want to try and get like Keith Galloway. He is more my figure. He is a big man and he just keeps on going forward and I need to follow him."
After a stellar season in Toyota Cup last year, Fifita has arrived in a big way.
"I can't believe I am here," he said. "Only last year I was in the 20s and now I am here in the finals. It is awesome. It doesn't getter better than this. I am just going to go out there and give my all."
