DIEHARD
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For player discussion. Posts may be posted elsewhere. This thread is to keep a record of interesting articles and media.
Jojo Fifita - Player Discussion
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DIEHARD
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From weakness to strength, Fifita's hard work paying off
www.titans.com.au
"I started off wanting to play centre because I was scared of the high ball."
Believe it or not, these are the words of the ultra-reliable Jojo Fifita on playing on the wing and having to catch bombs.
"When they put me on the wing I just had to get better at it (catching high balls) and I just did lots of work on it with the coaches, with my Dad, with my family."
If anything could sum up the hard-working and reliable Jojo Fifita, this is it - relentless hard-work and a desire to continually improve.
"I have just done enough work to make it one of my strengths and the confidence definitely helps in the game when you are not scared under the ball to take those catches, " he said.
Still only 22 but heading into his fourth season of NRL, Fifita has continued to improve year on year and game on game and it is this type of work-ethic that is the reason for his improvement.
Fifita, who hails from a rugby union background and The Southport School on the Gold Coast, made his NRL debut in 2022 and has now amassed 41 NRL games.
And he started making a name for himself last year as ultra-reliable under the high ball and making over half a dozen try saving tackles from the wing.
It is often said it takes forty games to be an NRL player and in Fifita's case you can see the confidence brimming as he enters season 2025.
"I am feeling good, I am feeling confident after a good pre-season with the boys," he said.
"The coaching staff have really helped me to develop my game in attack and defence, and I just feel confident that I can do what I can do and confident that the boys can get their job done too.
"My confidence definitely grows every year and I had a good season last year after a rough start and the back end of the year we showed some true potential."
A strong second trial against the Dolphins has Titans fans excited for the year ahead and a backline boasting speed across the park is just one reason.
For Fifita it is not just about the offensive side of the ball though, with his defensive efforts making the highlight reels regularly last year.
"Defence wins games," he said.
"You can have all the attack in the world but if you can't stop the tries, then what is the point.
"It is definitely a major area that I try to work on and do the best that I can for the team.
"Effort plays a big part, no matter what you are doing, just keep moving on the ball or off the ball and you might get yourself in the right position to score or even save a try."
In good news for Titans fans there will be another Fifita joining the ranks in the years ahead, with little brother Viliami, committing to the club until 2029 - not that he was letting his big brother know though.
"He (Viliami) sort of kept me in the dark about his contract details and I only found out once he signed it, I saw on Instagram, he didn't even tell me himself, but it will be a good experience to see him here and maybe bully him a little bit." Jojo joked.
From weakness to strength, Fifita's hard work paying off
"I started off wanting to play centre because I was scared of the high ball."
www.titans.com.au
"I started off wanting to play centre because I was scared of the high ball."
Believe it or not, these are the words of the ultra-reliable Jojo Fifita on playing on the wing and having to catch bombs.
"When they put me on the wing I just had to get better at it (catching high balls) and I just did lots of work on it with the coaches, with my Dad, with my family."
If anything could sum up the hard-working and reliable Jojo Fifita, this is it - relentless hard-work and a desire to continually improve.
"I have just done enough work to make it one of my strengths and the confidence definitely helps in the game when you are not scared under the ball to take those catches, " he said.
Still only 22 but heading into his fourth season of NRL, Fifita has continued to improve year on year and game on game and it is this type of work-ethic that is the reason for his improvement.
Fifita, who hails from a rugby union background and The Southport School on the Gold Coast, made his NRL debut in 2022 and has now amassed 41 NRL games.
And he started making a name for himself last year as ultra-reliable under the high ball and making over half a dozen try saving tackles from the wing.
It is often said it takes forty games to be an NRL player and in Fifita's case you can see the confidence brimming as he enters season 2025.
"I am feeling good, I am feeling confident after a good pre-season with the boys," he said.
"The coaching staff have really helped me to develop my game in attack and defence, and I just feel confident that I can do what I can do and confident that the boys can get their job done too.
"My confidence definitely grows every year and I had a good season last year after a rough start and the back end of the year we showed some true potential."
A strong second trial against the Dolphins has Titans fans excited for the year ahead and a backline boasting speed across the park is just one reason.
For Fifita it is not just about the offensive side of the ball though, with his defensive efforts making the highlight reels regularly last year.
"Defence wins games," he said.
"You can have all the attack in the world but if you can't stop the tries, then what is the point.
"It is definitely a major area that I try to work on and do the best that I can for the team.
"Effort plays a big part, no matter what you are doing, just keep moving on the ball or off the ball and you might get yourself in the right position to score or even save a try."
In good news for Titans fans there will be another Fifita joining the ranks in the years ahead, with little brother Viliami, committing to the club until 2029 - not that he was letting his big brother know though.
"He (Viliami) sort of kept me in the dark about his contract details and I only found out once he signed it, I saw on Instagram, he didn't even tell me himself, but it will be a good experience to see him here and maybe bully him a little bit." Jojo joked.