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Doesn;t explicitly state where he's from but the last line says his family live in Sydney.
Fifita’s future decided
SCOTT HAZLEWOOD
10 Oct, 2008 08:04 AM
IT WILL be a case of same colours different club for barnstorming ball-runner Andrew Fifita in 2009, after being signed by the Wests Tigers Toyota Cup side.
The recent premiership winner with the Waratah Tigers impressed scouts with his performances in the local competition and also with trials in Sydney.
The rampaging second-rower was courted by as many as four NRL clubs during the past year, with the Tigers beating Manly, Cronulla and Melbourne for the 19-year-old’s services.
But Fifita’s signature could have easily ended up on a Sharks contract, having trialled with the shire-based side before deciding to side with the club close to his heart.
Speaking to The Area News from Sydney on Wednesday, Fifita said it was good to finally have his future decided, adding the hard work now begins with a tortuous off-season already planned for the new recruit. “It’s good to finally sign something,” Fifita said.
“I’ve been down here the last few weeks training with a lot of the first grade guys and they have been really good.
“The rest of the club has been really good as well, looking after me.”
Fifita has seen a lot of the inside of the Wests Tigers gym over the last few weeks, and has been put on notice that the club expects him to practically live there over the summer months.
“I’ve already been doing weights sessions and a fair bit of cardio as well,” he said.
“In the weight sessions they really max you out, but they have put me on a diet as well and they said they want me to get bigger and fitter before the end of the pre-season.”
If he manages to tick both off his to-do list, Fifita said club officials have already waved a first grade jersey in his face if injuries in the top-grade and his personal form warrant his promotion.
“They said they’re not afraid about putting me up for a debut if they needed me, but I’m just trying to take it one step at a time,” he said.
Fifita, who also excelled at rugby union, said there was never as much lure from the other code, despite being picked in the Southern Inland Rugby Union country representative side earlier this year.
The ACT Brumbies also picked him in a squad of merit earlier in the year, but the hard-running forward said league was always going to win out.
Andrew won’t be the only Fifita in a Tigers jersey next year, with twin brother David also being snapped up by the black and golds.
The move is also beneficial for Fifita off the field, as it reunites him with his family who live in Sydney.
