“I reckon he’ll be learning a lot more with his skills, and he’s got pretty good skills, so I reckon he’ll go pretty good. The centre positions, you’re defending sort of the same shapes, there are just a little more people on the field in union, so you’ve got a little bit more trust in your teammates.
“But the skills you learn in union definitely come over to league as well. I reckon he’ll be a good fit at inside-centre.”
Fifita admitted a return to the game he grew up with “has always been in the back of my mind”. But with the 23-year-old centre’s future locked at the Titans until the end of 2027, his current focus is on spearheading the club out of the doldrums and forging a lethal backline combination with Phil Sami.
Sami has been training on the left wing and is pushing for a contract extension beyond his 2026 deal, after reports emerged he was in the sights of the Perth Bears and St George-Illawarra Dragons. While it had been suggested that he wouldn’t factor into the Titans’ long-term plans, new coach Josh Hannay was swift to assure the two-time Maroons flyer he would.
“It meant a lot for him to say that to me, to stay here and continue my journey with the Titans,” Sami said.
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“It was up in the air a bit in the off-season, there were a lot of reports out there, but for him to give me that call that he trusts me … I’m just grateful for his support, and I want to pay that back.”
While the Titans’ left-edge combination of Fifita, Sami and edge forward Beau Fermor remains, Hannay will need to rejig his entire right side following the departures of Alofiana-Khan Pereira (Warriors), Brian Kelly (Eels), and Fifita’s second-cousin, David Fifita (Rabbitohs).
David’s departure – after playing just eight games in 2025 due to form and injuries – has left a gaping void, and Fifita predicted the wrecking-ball forward would return to his best at South Sydney.
“I think players go through stages where they just need a fresh start, and I think that was David,” Fifita said.
“I’m happy for him that he left, and I can see in all the videos the Rabbitohs are posting that he looks happy and is enjoying himself. It’s only going to help his footy, so it’s going to be a good year for him.”
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