Mal Meninga has hailed David Fifita a “non-negotiable” for this year’s Queensland State of Origin squad as the Gold Coast star reveals why he’s ready to end his time in the Maroons wilderness.
Former Maroons coach Mal Meninga has declared David Fifita a “non-negotiable” selection for Queensland after the Titans star overhauled his diet to be on the cusp of an Origin recall.
Fifita can take another step towards a return to the Origin arena by dominating the Knights in Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.
Queensland coach Billy Slater is on the hunt for a backrower after Jeremiah Nanai was ruled out of the May 31 series-opener in Adelaide by suspension.
And he has a ready-made replacement in Fifita, who is in career-best form and demanding a sixth Origin appearance, potentially from the bench.
Slater will pick his Game One team on Sunday week and Meninga, who coached Queensland to nine series wins in a decade of dominance, said Fifita’s form was irresistible.
“He is playing really good footy at the moment, he needs to be in the side in my opinion, he could become a non-negotiable because he is an X-factor,” Meninga told SEN Radio.
“He could push out and play centre at a pinch.
“He is fitter than he was in the past and is doing a terrific job.”
Fifita made his Origin debut for Queensland in 2019 and played two games in 2021 – both series losses for the Maroons – while knee injuries saw him miss the entire 2020 and 2022 series.
He has rebounded from last year’s injury-riddled campaign and is in career-best form ahead of his 50th game for the Titans.
At 23 and with 93 NRL games under his belt, Fifita said he was benefiting from a more professional approach to his football, which has included working closely with Titans dietitian Ben Desbrow.
Titans figures recently spotted Fifita dodging pizza in the dressing rooms post-match and the results are showing on the field with the most consistent form of his six-season NRL career.
“Everyone is used to me scoring all the tries and stuff like that,” Fifita said.
“I’m still going out there to do my thing to the best of my ability. I’m still growing as a player and off the field.
“I’m still learning. I’m trying to be consistent with what I’m doing every week.
“I’m turning up for my teammates and working as hard as possible away from the field throughout the week.
“Fingers crossed (I get picked for Queensland). It (speculation) is always there, everyone talks about it.
“I always want to be there for Queensland, but it’s a journey. Whatever happens, happens.
“For me it’s about doing what I can do best and playing good football to get the results we need at the Titans. I’m taking it day by day.”
Fifita has thrived playing alongside an experienced five-eighth in 270-game statesman Kieran Foran, who said his backrower was primed for Origin.
“He is playing so well I think they have to pick him, don’t they?” Foran said.
“He is a special player. I have played with plenty of great back rowers over the years but he is right up there.
“For a big man, his deft touch and skill level is as good as I have ever seen – as good as a fullback and halfback.
“He can accelerate from zero to 10 faster than most blokes in the club and he is 115kg. He is a freak of an athlete.
“The thing that has stood out for me, and has been the shining light of his game for everyone in the club, is his ability to do the shit stuff this year.
“No-one has ever questioned his ability to come up with X-factor plays but the area he is excelling in for us this year is his yardage carries – he is relentless with them.
“His defence has been enormous. He is making 30-plus tackles a game and constantly moving.
“I think they should pick him. If you are looking for a bloke who has a point of difference, he is that point of difference.”
Originally published as NRL round 11: Newcastle Knights vs Gold Coast Titans, Mal Meninga on David Fifita Queensland Origin hopes