Latest news with #Fifita
Wales Online
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Major star leaves Scarlets as sudden announcement made
Major star leaves Scarlets as sudden announcement made Vaea Fifita has been at the Scarlets for three years, playing 56 times Vaea Fifita of Scarlets avoids the tackle from Luka Matkava of Black Lion (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Tonga international Vaea Fifita has left the Scarlets to join newly-promoted French Top 14 side Montauban. The French club reached the top flight after defeating Sam Davies' Grenoble following an unlikely Pro D2 play-off run. They have now moved to sign the 33-year-old Fifita, who also previously played Test rugby for New Zealand, ahead of their first season back in France's top division. Fifita leaves Llanelli after three years, having joined from Wasps back in 2022. It's understood the Welsh side have received a transfer fee as part of the move and have a replacement signing lined up. During his time at Parc y Scarlets, the mercurial lock and back-row played 56 times, scoring 10 tries. 'It's not been an easy decision for myself and my family to move from Scarlets and I have really enjoyed my time at Parc y Scarlets with a great group of players," said Fifita as he bid farewell. "We have been warmly welcomed into the Scarlets community from the moment we arrived three years ago, but I think this is the right move for us as a family at this stage of my career with the opportunity to experience and play in the Top 14. Article continues below 'I have some fantastic memories in a Scarlets jersey and I'd like to thank everyone at the club - coaches, players, staff and, of course, the fans for their support and friendship over the last three years. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia. 'I look forward to watching this exciting young Scarlets squad continue to develop and challenge over the coming seasons.' During his time in Llanelli, Fifita shone, being named in the United Rugby Championship's Elite XV after his first season at the club. He was linked with a move away from the Scarlets last year, but Fifita - who won the Super Rugby title during his time with the Hurricanes - ultimately ended up signing a new deal. 'We thank Vaea for his great contribution to our club; he has produced some outstanding moments during his time here at the Scarlets and we fully understand and support his decision to want to play in the Top 14," said Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel. 'We wish him and his family well for their move to France.' The Scarlets return to pre-season next week as they prepare for a campaign back in the Champions Cup, having reached the URC play-offs this season. Peel added: 'We have worked hard to retain the core of our squad, a lot of home-grown Welsh international talent and made some exciting additions as well. Article continues below 'As a group, we are looking forward to getting back together, welcoming some new members into our squad and putting in the work before a big opening to the season at home here against Munster at the end of September.'
Sydney Morning Herald
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
How Payne Haas helped end Laurie Daley's first spell in charge of NSW
'I wrote back, 'Be careful of what?' He then showed me a photo of the Queensland whiteboard, which simply said, 'Andrew Fifita'. 'I remember showing 'Loz' [Daley] and laughing and saying, 'That's when you know you've made it in Origin'. 'Then I heard they brought in Payne. He was only a schoolboy at the time, but he was big and versatile, we played kind of the same, and he was meant to mimic me. 'I think Cronulla played the Broncos last year and I wanted to know what had happened. He told me he was young, he helped Queensland out, but there's no way he'd do it now. 'That series ended up being the last one for Loz. It definitely cost me my chance to win an Origin series. 'Payne's not on the big money for nothing. He's so versatile, and knows what to do. He offloads, he attacks out wide – he does things front-rowers shouldn't do.' Haas, who was named man of the match following the 18-6 win over Queensland in game one last month, said he was never entirely sure what he was getting himself into when the young Broncos were called in to run an opposed session with the Maroons, a side which featured the likes of Billy Slater – now the Maroons' coach – Cameron Smith, and front-rowers Josh McGuire, Wallace and Josh Papali'i. Now 24, Haas also revealed how supercoach Wayne Bennett asked him to pledge his allegiance to the Maroons while still only a teenager in the Broncos system. Haas moved from Newcastle to the Gold Coast when he was 13, and he spent a short time in the Maroons pathways, only for Haas to come to his senses. The only thing that would have made the images of a beardless Haas training with the Maroons would have been him wearing the Queensland training gear, which, thankfully, he was not. 'I didn't know what I was getting into that day, they asked us Broncos boys to come in for an opposed session, and they wanted me to be a Fifita clone,' Haas said. 'It was weird because I was from NSW. Now, when I think back on it, if they asked me to do the same, I'd be like, 'f--- that'. 'I knew a few of the Queensland boys, including Josh McGuire, so it wasn't too bad. It was a cool experience at the time. I was given a taste of Origin, and got to find out how the players prepare. You also find out how much the Queenslanders hate us. Living in Queensland, I already knew that. 'I wanted to go hard against them and see how I went. It was good practice for me and I enjoyed it. 'We were at Sanctuary Cove. I was a baby then. I watched that first Origin game and Fifita killed it. 'I remember the Maroons wanting me to play for them. I remember Wayne Bennett wanting me to play for Queensland, and how he was off me when I told him I wanted to play for NSW. I knew I was always a Blue.' When you point out his Fifita impersonation helped Queensland put an end to Fifita's dominance on that series, and essentially left Daley without a job, Haas shakes his head and says: 'Loz had a great career in Origin. He's back here now. I'm indebted to him.' Haas was a standout when playing for NSW in the under-16s and under-18s. Mark O'Meley, a NSW hardman in his own right, coached Haas, and recalled how the Broncos front-rower, along with his Blues teammate Spencer Leniu, were the only pair to ever run over the top of him while holding tackling pads. One of the teams Haas loved watching growing up in the early 2000s was O'Meley's Bulldogs, which also featured Sonny Bill Williams, Willie Mason and Roy Asotasi. Loading O'Meley said of Haas: 'He's hands down the best prop in the comp. Someone said the other day he hasn't proven himself in Origin, or won a grand final, but he's won [five] Paul Morgan Medals with Brisbane, and a few Dally M props of the year. To me, when you watch him, he's the benchmark.' The frightening thing about Haas is he went into game one on limited preparation because of a quad injury – and now runs on to Optus Stadium injury-free and with a full week's worth of training. He is one of the rare big men with enough leg speed to get wide and run at the halves, just as he did with Daly Cherry-Evans and Cam Munster nearly three weeks ago. As for being the best prop in the game – potentially ever – Haas said: 'I've never looked at it like that. That chat is for other people. I don't play for the accolades, I play to win premierships, to win games, to have fun with my teammates, enjoy being in the present, and be where my feet are. I'm loving my time in Brisbane, and I'm loving my time in Origin camp. ''Madge' [Broncos coach Michael Maguire] has got me believing in myself and my leadership qualities. He's pushed me to be a leader, and I'm trying to be that leader around the boys at my club. 'He didn't want me to hurt myself before game one. I wanted to play, I expressed that to Madge, and he said, 'If you want to play, go and play'. He had a lot of faith in me.'
The Age
14-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
How Payne Haas helped end Laurie Daley's first spell in charge of NSW
'I wrote back, 'Be careful of what?' He then showed me a photo of the Queensland whiteboard, which simply said, 'Andrew Fifita'. 'I remember showing 'Loz' [Daley] and laughing and saying, 'That's when you know you've made it in Origin'. 'Then I heard they brought in Payne. He was only a schoolboy at the time, but he was big and versatile, we played kind of the same, and he was meant to mimic me. 'I think Cronulla played the Broncos last year and I wanted to know what had happened. He told me he was young, he helped Queensland out, but there's no way he'd do it now. 'That series ended up being the last one for Loz. It definitely cost me my chance to win an Origin series. 'Payne's not on the big money for nothing. He's so versatile, and knows what to do. He offloads, he attacks out wide – he does things front-rowers shouldn't do.' Haas, who was named man of the match following the 18-6 win over Queensland in game one last month, said he was never entirely sure what he was getting himself into when the young Broncos were called in to run an opposed session with the Maroons, a side which featured the likes of Billy Slater – now the Maroons' coach – Cameron Smith, and front-rowers Josh McGuire, Wallace and Josh Papali'i. Now 24, Haas also revealed how supercoach Wayne Bennett asked him to pledge his allegiance to the Maroons while still only a teenager in the Broncos system. Haas moved from Newcastle to the Gold Coast when he was 13, and he spent a short time in the Maroons pathways, only for Haas to come to his senses. The only thing that would have made the images of a beardless Haas training with the Maroons would have been him wearing the Queensland training gear, which, thankfully, he was not. 'I didn't know what I was getting into that day, they asked us Broncos boys to come in for an opposed session, and they wanted me to be a Fifita clone,' Haas said. 'It was weird because I was from NSW. Now, when I think back on it, if they asked me to do the same, I'd be like, 'f--- that'. 'I knew a few of the Queensland boys, including Josh McGuire, so it wasn't too bad. It was a cool experience at the time. I was given a taste of Origin, and got to find out how the players prepare. You also find out how much the Queenslanders hate us. Living in Queensland, I already knew that. 'I wanted to go hard against them and see how I went. It was good practice for me and I enjoyed it. 'We were at Sanctuary Cove. I was a baby then. I watched that first Origin game and Fifita killed it. 'I remember the Maroons wanting me to play for them. I remember Wayne Bennett wanting me to play for Queensland, and how he was off me when I told him I wanted to play for NSW. I knew I was always a Blue.' When you point out his Fifita impersonation helped Queensland put an end to Fifita's dominance on that series, and essentially left Daley without a job, Haas shakes his head and says: 'Loz had a great career in Origin. He's back here now. I'm indebted to him.' Haas was a standout when playing for NSW in the under-16s and under-18s. Mark O'Meley, a NSW hardman in his own right, coached Haas, and recalled how the Broncos front-rower, along with his Blues teammate Spencer Leniu, were the only pair to ever run over the top of him while holding tackling pads. One of the teams Haas loved watching growing up in the early 2000s was O'Meley's Bulldogs, which also featured Sonny Bill Williams, Willie Mason and Roy Asotasi. Loading O'Meley said of Haas: 'He's hands down the best prop in the comp. Someone said the other day he hasn't proven himself in Origin, or won a grand final, but he's won [five] Paul Morgan Medals with Brisbane, and a few Dally M props of the year. To me, when you watch him, he's the benchmark.' The frightening thing about Haas is he went into game one on limited preparation because of a quad injury – and now runs on to Optus Stadium injury-free and with a full week's worth of training. He is one of the rare big men with enough leg speed to get wide and run at the halves, just as he did with Daly Cherry-Evans and Cam Munster nearly three weeks ago. As for being the best prop in the game – potentially ever – Haas said: 'I've never looked at it like that. That chat is for other people. I don't play for the accolades, I play to win premierships, to win games, to have fun with my teammates, enjoy being in the present, and be where my feet are. I'm loving my time in Brisbane, and I'm loving my time in Origin camp. ''Madge' [Broncos coach Michael Maguire] has got me believing in myself and my leadership qualities. He's pushed me to be a leader, and I'm trying to be that leader around the boys at my club. 'He didn't want me to hurt myself before game one. I wanted to play, I expressed that to Madge, and he said, 'If you want to play, go and play'. He had a lot of faith in me.'
Perth Now
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Could Galvin go west? Fifita, Williams also a chance
SIX PLAYERS OFF CONTRACT AFTER 2026 WHO COULD BE TARGETED BY THE BEARS: * Lachlan Galvin (Wests Tigers - five-eighth) The prodigious five-eighth made headlines for his decision not to consider a contract extension to remain at Wests Tigers and is still without a home for 2027. Parramatta are considered the front-runner for his signature but may now have some competition. Galvin is the kind of player around whom a new franchise could build a long-term future and at only 19, his stocks are likely to only rise. He's already shown plenty in a season-and-a-bit, with a dangerous running game, great pass and the potential to pack on size. * Harry Grant (Melbourne - hooker) Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes has stated he's not interested in a move west but Storm teammate Grant looms as a natural target. There's no better hooker in the NRL than the Storm captain, whose leadership qualities would be highly attractive for a franchise building from the ground up. Grant is the kind of player who lifts those around him, with a high defensive work rate and an eye for the game that he honed during his apprenticeship under Storm legend Cam Smith. * Payne Haas (Brisbane - prop) The Brisbane behemoth is one of the NRL's most fearsome front-rowers and was linked with a move away from the Broncos and to rugby union the last time his contract came up for renewal during the 2023 season. Haas has a complicated family situation so may not be keen on a big move to the other side of the country, but the Bears will no doubt ask the question of this generational prop forward. * Ryan Papenhuyzen (Melbourne - fullback) Another Storm star whose future is uncertain beyond 2026. The flying fullback has a mutual option in his contract that would permit him to stay at the club for 2027, but he can still negotiate with rivals for that season from November. After a cruel run of injuries, Papenhuyzen has shown flashes of his best over the past 18 months. He's a human highlights reel when he's on song, and has the kind of marketability that the Dolphins got from Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow on their entry into the league. * David Fifita (Gold Coast - second-row) The timing of the Bears announcement must surely have intrigued Fifita, who was dropped from Gold Coast's first-grade team only last week. Coach Des Hasler has since insisted he maintains a good relationship with Fifita but the former State of Origin representative will nevertheless be able to field offers from November, if the Titans situation doesn't sour sooner than that. Fifita came within a whisker of moving to Sydney for 2025, and his big hits and try-scoring ability would help draw new fans to the game. * George Williams (Warrington - five-eighth/halfback) Williams was the last English half to truly shine in the NRL when he helped Canberra to a preliminary final berth in the 2020 season. A bitter exit from the Raiders followed, but not through lack of talent, and his contract with English side Warrington expires at the end of 2026. Williams has ties to Perth given his father lives there, and is Wolves captain under Sam Burgess, who has flagged his interest in coaching Perth.
7NEWS
07-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Des Hasler dishes on David Fifita relationship amid exit rumours
A defiant Des Hasler has backed himself to help dig Gold Coast out of a hole, while insisting David Fifita remains part of the Titans' long-term plans. Sat second-last after nine rounds, the pressure is intensifying on Hasler with the Titans on a five-match losing streak. Questions have also been raised over the future of Fifita, who was dropped last week and will undergo keyhole surgery on his ankle on Wednesday. But as his team flew out for Friday's clash with Newcastle, Hasler insisted the current predicament was nothing new to him. 'It's all part of it. I've been here before in these positions. It's called being in the kitchen when the heat is on,' Hasler said. 'We've just got to ride through it.' Asked how he planned to help the Titans dig their way through it, Hasler responded: 'Start winning some games'. 'That starts this Friday, which won't be easy,' he said. 'They're in a situation where they have had a win after a couple of losses. Five-day turnaround will be challenging. 'But we will get down there and give it our best shot. 'I believe in these players.' Signed by the Titans on a three-year deal that began in 2024, Hasler showed signs of turning the club around in the second half of last season. But they have started poorly this year, plagued by injuries with the coach also unhappy his team is one of the most penalised in the league for high tackles. He pleaded with fans for patience as the Titans got their troops back on deck, while adamant the effort had been there from his side. As to Fifita, the damaging second-rower has played limited minutes off the bench for the majority of this year, while also requiring pain-killing injections before games. He was relegated to playing Queensland Cup for Ipswich last weekend, before being sent to see a specialist. A report also emerged on Wednesday that the 25-year-old had been shopped to rival clubs, less than a year on from his decision to backflip on the Sydney Roosters to stay at the Titans. But Hasler insisted the former Queensland State of Origin star remained a part of the Titans' future. 'Yep, big part of our plans,' Hasler said when asked if he wanted Fifita at the club long-term. 'Our relationship is fine. 'Everything is good, everything is fine. We're going well, we want to go better. So there are no issues there. 'Dave just needed to work on some areas and had to think a few things through. We've done that.'
