jojo fifita has moved into Queensland State of Origin contention after a strong start to the NRL season with the Gold Coast Titans. The 23-year-old centre is in line for a debut in Billy Slater’s squad for the opener in Sydney on May 27.
Fifita’s Origin case
Fifita said making the Queensland team would be the biggest achievement of his career and added he would be ready if called. He has played centre for the Titans this season, while also having the option to cover wing.
“It would be the biggest achievement of my career if I was to make the Queensland team. If I got the call, I'd be ready and I would do everything I could to be at the top of my game,” Fifita said.
His club form has put him in the frame at the right time. Queensland’s backline picture has opened up with Valentine Holmes under pressure after poor form for the Dragons, Xavier Coates still recovering from an Achilles injury and Gehamat Shibasaki also down on form for his club side.
Josh Hannay and the Titans
Josh Hannay has helped Fifita shift from wing to centre, and the Titans coach said last month there was no doubt in his mind that the 23-year-old was good enough for Origin. Hannay also pointed to the state’s lack of depth in that position, along with the way Fifita has handled the move.
“Josh has a background as a centre and with me playing centre this year he outlined my strengths and weaknesses that I needed to work on at the start of pre-season,” Fifita said. “Defence was something I needed to improve. It is still a work in progress but Josh has helped with the little things in a game that you don't notice.”
Hannay added: “Then you look at Jojo’s talent, work ethic and coach-ability. His ceiling is very high and what makes me think he will get there is that he works hard for it. Jojo has done things at a really high level. He is making a real fist of the centre position.”
Round 11 selection window
Slater will wait until the conclusion of Round 11 before naming his squad for the Origin opener, which gives Fifita one more chance to press his case when the Titans face the Knights in Magic Round on Sunday. He was invited into the Maroons camp last year, and that exposure has already put him on the edge of the selection picture.
