Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon has hailed Andrew Fifita as a man whose presence and leadership can never be replaced, after the veteran prop announced his retirement from the NRL.Fifita confirmed on Tuesday that he would not be playing on, ending a 13-year career after deciding against continuing at another club.The former NSW State of Origin and Kangaroos Test prop had initially planned on playing in 2023, after in August admitting he was heartbroken at the realisation he would be leaving the Sharks.But ultimately a mounting injury toll and requirement for several surgeries prompted him to to decide against moving elsewhere.Best remembered for his superb 2016 season that netted the Sharks their maiden premiership, Fifita was the game's most damaging forward when at his best.He was instrumental in NSW ending their Origin drought in 2014, and he then helped lead the Pacific rugby league revolution when he defected to Tonga in 2017.In total, Fifita played 251 NRL games at Wests Tigers and Cronulla, while also becoming a member of the Sharks' all-time team in the 50-year celebrations in 2016.His body ultimately caught up with him, pushing aside being placed into an induced coma last season with a fractured larynx to be a solid forward for Cronulla this year."I have made the hard decision to announce my retirement from the NRL. I am extremely grateful for all the milestones and memories I have made at the Sharks," Fifita said.
No comments:
Post a Comment