Wakefield not signing Andrew Fifita, confirms coach Chris Chester

Correspondent
NRL Andrew Fifita

Wakefield coach Chris Chester has confirmed the club will not be signing NRL star Andrew Fifita. 

Tonga and Cronulla Sharks prop Andrew Fifita was tentatively lined up for a reunion with brother David at Belle Vue – but Chester has confirmed that they won’t be signing for the front-rower.

“It’s dead in the water,” Chester said at a press conference ahead of Friday’s Super League game against Leeds. “We’re looking elsewhere.”

READ: David Fifita would love to play alongside brother Andrew for Tonga

Chester has dropped a big hint that his five-year tenure at Belle Vue could be coming to an end.

The 42-year-old former Wigan, Hull and Halifax forward says personal attacks on social media have forced him to consider his future and revealed he is out of contract, along with 13 of his players, at the end of the season.

Chester said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity to rebuild the club, whether that involves me in it, I’m not too sure.

“I’m out of contract but I’m comfortable with that to be honest. I’ve had five really good years here at the club and I’ll continue to enjoy my time here.

“I’d love to stay here, I’m Wakefield born and bred.

“What I will say is that the challenges I’ve faced over the last couple of years have made made me think long and hard. Obviously the personal attacks just make you think whether being a head coach is actually worth it.

“But I can’t speak highly enough of the people working here and the support I’ve had from everybody at board level and the staff. There’s a real good group of people here that want the best for Wakefield Trinity.

“If that involves me moving forward, then happy days. Let’s just see what the next couple of months bring.

“They probably need to make some decisions sooner rather than later because we don’t want to be missing out on targets.”


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