Andrew Fifita is a man on a mission with the Cronulla prop desperate to prove he’s not done with yet in the NRL after his first full pre-season in nine years.
Fifita played just 12 games in 2020 as his hard-running style took its toll on his knees and left him sidelined and struggling to produce his rampaging best.
The 31-year-old has made no secret of the fact he’s shed 15kg this summer, as part of his first uninterrupted pre-season since before his Test and NSW debut.
But it’s his own will power that makes Fifita most dangerous.
The former Kangaroos is at his hardest to stop when under scrutiny, such as when he was Cronulla’s best in their 2016 drought-breaking grand-final win.
And he has taken particular umbrage with claims Cronulla didn’t deserve to make the top eight last year and questions over how much gas is left in his tank.
“Everyone in the team has that chip on their shoulder,” Fifita said.
“I will forever keep that chip on my shoulder. I have in the past and I have come out of it.
“I’ll try and go to All Stars and start there and hopefully prove I am still up there.
“It’s always a tough pack when you play the Maori team with the Bromwiches (Jesse and Kenny), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, James Fisher-Harris and James Tamou.”
Fifita remains contracted to the Sharks for another two years and despite his injury concerns last year has no intention of finishing early.
The Tongan international averaged just 33 minutes a game last season, his lowest mark since his debut year at the Wests Tigers in 2010.
He also started just three times, coming off the bench in every game he played after round six.
But he is determined to get his body back to where it was with so much of his game based around his footwork and hard-running power.
“I have the resume and I can look back and enjoy it, but I still have plenty to give,” Fifita said.
“It’s been frustrating because I can’t get out there and showcase what I’ve still got.
“I don’t get the minutes or time like I have done in previous years.”