Fifita puts hand up for Tigers

[Colonel]

**Fifita puts hand up for Tigers\
\
Christian Nicolussi
From: The Daily Telegraph
April 20, 2011 12:00AM**
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ANDREW Fifita - one of the few healthy forwards at Wests Tigers - has vowed to lead the crippled club through its shocking injury crisis.
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And the powerhouse youngster, who adhered to the request of coach Tim Sheens to lose 10kg during the off-season, said yesterday he was ready to outmuscle his childhood hero and Broncos battering ram Sam Thaiday.
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Fifita, 22, has been a shining light for the joint-venture club after six rounds after the Tigers lost regular forwards Bryce Gibbs, Gareth Ellis, Todd Payten, Keith Galloway, Liam Fulton and Alan Schirnack to injury at different stages.
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He is fast becoming a cult hero for his giant fends, which is a part of his game Sheens has encouraged.
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"Sheensy asked me during the off-season to keep the kilos down," said Fifita, who has been named to start in the front-row for Friday night's clash against the Broncos at the SFS.
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"He wanted me around 110kg so I could get my match fitness and speed up. I couldn't play as many minutes because I was too heavy, but I've gone from 119kg to 109kg.
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"Everyone knows I like fending, and Sheensy said that while in my own half I need to play direct.
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"But in the opposition half I can go for my life and, if I get near their tryline, try and throw 20 blokes off my shoulders.
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"Benji [Marshall] is known for his step and flick pass, and my one is like [Greg] Inglis where I try and fend."
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Fifita is the tearaway leader when it comes to tackle busts in the final 20 minutes of a match, making him a potent force against tired legs.
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As for the match-up with Thaiday, Fifita said: "Sam is a player I always looked up to, he's an aggressive player who has worn the Queensland and Australian jumper.
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"It will be a good match-up for me, a good opportunity to show selectors out there I can be better than a player like him on the night.
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"Hopefully I can be better than him on Friday and one day be in his [representative] position."
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Fifita is eligible for the Blues, but admits that Origin is still a couple of seasons away, with a few good props ahead of him.
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He and fellow young prop Aaron Woods are a true reflection of the great depth at the Tigers, and Fifita said he and the bearded Woods forever discussed the need to step up for senior players in the casualty ward.Despite losing Payten (ankle) and Schirnack (shoulder), Galloway and Fulton return for the Broncos clash, even though Galloway and Wade McKinnon, who was also named to return, trained with the rehab group at Concord Oval yesterday.
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Beau Ryan (hamstring), who was named but a late scratching last week, is also set to return on the wing.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/fifita-puts-hand-up-for-tigers/story-e6frexnr-1226041894375

 

[hybrid_tiger]

I have been impressed with his attitude and defense this year, the weight loss has made a huge difference to his game.

 

[jirskyr]

Made 35 tackles last week. But still needs to aim up in our own 50m.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

I have been impressed with his attitude and defense this year, the weight loss has made a huge difference to his game.

Absolutely, but I think it has been detrimental to his attacking game, seems to move sideways much more this year, and relies on his fend too much.

 

[BeeJay]

I have been impressed with his attitude and defense this year, the weight loss has made a huge difference to his game.

Absolutely, but I think it has been detrimental to his attacking game, seems to move sideways much more this year, and relies on his fend too much.

He beats 3 or 4 players with his fend and should then be looking to get an offload to one of the smaller guys to break through the gaps he has just created.

could be a dangerous addition to the team if he can pull this off. He's only young and is still working out the finer points of his game. Once he gets that balance between battering ram and using the fend/offload he'll be unstoppable.

 

[Winnipeg]

I really hope we don't lose him if we sign Blair.

 

[underdog]

I have been impressed with his attitude and defense this year, the weight loss has made a huge difference to his game.

i love the fact he now draws 4 men into a tackle - now the other teams have seen him in action.

What he now needs to do to evolve is develop a stunning offload more consistently and then all of a sudden the overlaps, or gaps up the middle of the ruck will start happening more frequently.

 

[tigersrule4life]

Andrew wants to stay a tiger read the last sentence http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2011/04/20/fifita-s-dream-match-up/ he only loves the tigers

 

[cktiger]

I have been impressed with his attitude and defense this year, the weight loss has made a huge difference to his game.

i love the fact he now draws 4 men into a tackle - now the other teams have seen him in action.

What he now needs to do to evolve is develop a stunning offload more consistently and then all of a sudden the overlaps, or gaps up the middle of the ruck will start happening more frequently.

Agree 100% with underdog- once he learns how to offload he will be invaluable

 

[Tigerdave]

He's been very good this year, defence has improved a lot

 

[glebe_tiger]

if he's talking like this i dont know why there should be any speculation with the sharks.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

if he's talking like this i dont know why there should be any speculation with the sharks.

Because Flanagan is keen on him.

Whether he wants to stay or not is a different matter, the Sharks do want him and have the cash to use should Kade Snowden move back to Newcastle.

 

[Tigersmurf]

Let them sign him…...but then we will send David in his place.

Then we will keep Andrew (but call him David), and they can have David (but call him Andrew) and everyone is happy!!

 

[king_sirro]

I have been impressed with his attitude and defense this year, the weight loss has made a huge difference to his game.

i love the fact he now draws 4 men into a tackle - now the other teams have seen him in action.

What he now needs to do to evolve is develop a stunning offload more consistently and then all of a sudden the overlaps, or gaps up the middle of the ruck will start happening more frequently.

Agree 100% with underdog- once he learns how to offload he will be invaluable

Learns to offload???? He has a sensational ability to offload but has put it away this year for some reason. I wonder if he's been advised to do so because he got some great off loads away last year. I remember one where he switched the ball from arm to the other as he punched through so he could pop a ball as he was falling, it was Beetson like. Ive been wondering where that part of his game has gone cos he can do it better than anyone.

 

[Lukic]

I think he's wasted up the middle. On the fringes is his go. Can hit a hole, has speed and can break tackles.
Definitely 2nd rower material.

Ellis, Dwyer and Fifita working the fringes off Benji and Moltzen would definitely give us some strike.

 

[innsaneink]

Andrew wants to stay a tiger read the last sentence http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2011/04/20/fifita-s-dream-match-up/ he only loves the tigers

LOL…cool.....maybe he'll play for free if he loves the club so much :deadhorse:

 

[Guest]

I have been impressed with his attitude and defense this year, the weight loss has made a huge difference to his game.

Absolutely, but I think it has been detrimental to his attacking game, seems to move sideways much more this year, and relies on his fend too much.

The improved workrate has certainly been pleasing to see. He is coming up with the occasional damaging run but as pointed out in the article, he has to play more direct inside the Tigers half and look to hit the line more like Galloway. Given his young age though, he should still continue to get fitter and stronger over the next couple of years so he's definitely heading in the right direction.

 

[underdog]

I have been impressed with his attitude and defense this year, the weight loss has made a huge difference to his game.

i love the fact he now draws 4 men into a tackle - now the other teams have seen him in action.

What he now needs to do to evolve is develop a stunning offload more consistently and then all of a sudden the overlaps, or gaps up the middle of the ruck will start happening more frequently.

Agree 100% with underdog- once he learns how to offload he will be invaluable

Learns to offload???? He has a sensational ability to offload but has put it away this year for some reason. I wonder if he's been advised to do so because he got some great off loads away last year. I remember one where he switched the ball from arm to the other as he punched through so he could pop a ball as he was falling, it was Beetson like. Ive been wondering where that part of his game has gone cos he can do it better than anyone.

i agree with Sirro, he DOES have an offload now, and its underutilized. but it needs to be a more consistent weapon. thats what i was getting at in my OP.

 

[underdog]

I have been impressed with his attitude and defense this year, the weight loss has made a huge difference to his game.

i love the fact he now draws 4 men into a tackle - now the other teams have seen him in action.

What he now needs to do to evolve is develop a stunning offload more consistently and then all of a sudden the overlaps, or gaps up the middle of the ruck will start happening more frequently.

Agree 100% with underdog- once he learns how to offload he will be invaluable

Learns to offload???? He has a sensational ability to offload but has put it away this year for some reason. I wonder if he's been advised to do so because he got some great off loads away last year. I remember one where he switched the ball from arm to the other as he punched through so he could pop a ball as he was falling, it was Beetson like. Ive been wondering where that part of his game has gone cos he can do it better than anyone.

i agree with Sirro, he DOES have an offload now, and its underutilized. but it needs to be a more consistent weapon. thats what i was getting at in my OP.

 

[tigergirlz]

One thing the Tigers rarely do is support the forwards with offload potential. No use turning around to offload when everyone is standing around. :crazy