Fifita out to prove his worth

One of Australia‘s uncapped players, Andrew Fifita, says he can’t wait to prove that he is worthy enough to play alongside the likes of Billy Slater and Cameron Smith in the Kangaroos line-up.

Fifita, 24, was rewarded for a stellar season in the NRL with Cronulla, which saw him win the Prop of the Year award, with a place in Tim Sheens’ World Cup squad.

He’s already played State of Origin, and is now ready to perform on the international stage, just like his uncle John Fifita, who played for Tonga in the 1980s.

He said: “It is special to be named in the team to play England and I am very excited. I am doing my family proud and there a lot of players that I want to play with, I am at the highest level now and I am playing for my country.

“The likes of Billy Slater and Cameron Smith, I really want to play with those types of guys because they are different and I just really can’t wait to be playing around them.

“They just take it to a new level. It is just so professional here, I am learning a lot. Everyone is saying that I am still a rookie, and it is my first tour, my first camp, my first Australia selection, and I am learning a lot of new stuff.

“I really can’t wait to play on the weekend just to prove to the boys that I am worthy enough to play with this bunch of blokes.

“Playing State of Origin has given me so much confidence in my game, playing the way I play my game.

“It has just given me a free run so I can’t wait to get out there on Saturday and show the world what I can really do.

“I think my role will be to come off the bench and bring that impact back into our game. I did it at Origin level and I was fairly happy with the way that I played and I am hoping to bring that boom off the bench for Australia.”