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Fifita reminds Blues Origin selectors
Ben Horne
May 15, 2011 - 1:59PM
AAP
Wests Tigers rising star Andrew Fifita says he hasn't given up on earning a surprise NSW State of Origin jumper this series.
The 21-year-old might be considered a little raw for the step up to representative level, but the explosive prop believes he has the size and impact to spark a Blues team off the bench.
In Saturday night's 29-18 loss to South Sydney, Fifita played a leading role in the Tigers second half comeback.
The 194cm, 112kg giant is one of the most destructive tackle-breaking front rowers in the competition and leads the NRL's props in this category.
Fifita isn't getting ahead of himself and is conscious of biding his time in the NRL, but can't hide his drive to one day represent.
The Griffith product of Tongan heritage had already changed his allegiance from his parent's country of origin to be eligible for NSW.
"I'd love to play Origin. I've played for my country already and I've changed my alliance already and I just want to play Origin so bad. I reckon it's one of the biggest things that will ever happen in my life," Fifita told AAP.
"I guess I'm just trying to stick to form and just trying to get a gig. My eyes are set for the third Origin (match), see if I can get into that.
"Everyone adds their own little spark and I hope one day I can get in there and do my own thing and maybe, if they choose me, I can get in there and do a job (this year).
"But I've only played 31 games and I'm always going to put club footy first and wait for my opportunity to come."
Trailing 27-0 to the Rabbitohs at halftime, Fifita revealed senior players Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall tore strips off Tigers players in the dressing rooms at the break.
The Tigers defence through the middle of the field was flimsy to say the least.
Fifita said the young Tigers, without strong defenders Bryce Gibbs and Gareth Ellis, were better than what they showed against Souths.
"I guess it comes down to just working together. We're good, we are missing two of our main defence players, so it's just more the young ones who need to step up and stick tight and talk," he said.
"We made it pretty clear at halftime that we need to go out with a good hitout.
"It wasn't Sheensy (coach Tim Sheens who yelled). It was more the captain (Farah) and the older boys in the team telling us to step up. They had a bit of a yelling at us that we need to toughen up."
Ben Horne
May 15, 2011 - 1:59PM
AAP
Wests Tigers rising star Andrew Fifita says he hasn't given up on earning a surprise NSW State of Origin jumper this series.
The 21-year-old might be considered a little raw for the step up to representative level, but the explosive prop believes he has the size and impact to spark a Blues team off the bench.
In Saturday night's 29-18 loss to South Sydney, Fifita played a leading role in the Tigers second half comeback.
The 194cm, 112kg giant is one of the most destructive tackle-breaking front rowers in the competition and leads the NRL's props in this category.
Fifita isn't getting ahead of himself and is conscious of biding his time in the NRL, but can't hide his drive to one day represent.
The Griffith product of Tongan heritage had already changed his allegiance from his parent's country of origin to be eligible for NSW.
"I'd love to play Origin. I've played for my country already and I've changed my alliance already and I just want to play Origin so bad. I reckon it's one of the biggest things that will ever happen in my life," Fifita told AAP.
"I guess I'm just trying to stick to form and just trying to get a gig. My eyes are set for the third Origin (match), see if I can get into that.
"Everyone adds their own little spark and I hope one day I can get in there and do my own thing and maybe, if they choose me, I can get in there and do a job (this year).
"But I've only played 31 games and I'm always going to put club footy first and wait for my opportunity to come."
Trailing 27-0 to the Rabbitohs at halftime, Fifita revealed senior players Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall tore strips off Tigers players in the dressing rooms at the break.
The Tigers defence through the middle of the field was flimsy to say the least.
Fifita said the young Tigers, without strong defenders Bryce Gibbs and Gareth Ellis, were better than what they showed against Souths.
"I guess it comes down to just working together. We're good, we are missing two of our main defence players, so it's just more the young ones who need to step up and stick tight and talk," he said.
"We made it pretty clear at halftime that we need to go out with a good hitout.
"It wasn't Sheensy (coach Tim Sheens who yelled). It was more the captain (Farah) and the older boys in the team telling us to step up. They had a bit of a yelling at us that we need to toughen up."
