'They forget this is the NRL': Titans teammates hit back at Fifita criticism

It’s indisputable David Fifita is one of the most talented forwards in the NRL.

A marquee signing for the Gold Coast, he is a much-valued member of the Titans squad and what he brings on and off the field can’t be understated or dismissed.

The proof of that is in the outpouring of support from fellow teammates, members and fans in response to the criticism heaped on the powerful edge forward in recent days about his performance in the opening five rounds of the competition.

Critiqued for not being involved enough, past players and commentators have been vocal, headed by SEN's Scott Sattler. In response to the criticism, Fifita's back-row partner Beau Fermor took to radio on Tuesday, slamming the comments being made about the Origin forward’s opening month in Titans colours.

“David cops a lot and I think a lot of it is very unfair. I mean, people are expecting him to run over everyone and score three tries every week," Fermor said on Triple M’s Rush Hour Queensland.

“They forget that this is the NRL and everyone's a good player and he's not going to be able to do those things every week.

“As much as we'd like him to, there's just as good defenders and just as good players in other teams and we've just got to use him in the best way possible.

“I think a big thing with Dave is he's doing a lot more work that people aren't seeing this year and that the general spectator doesn't see. His defence and his work out of our own end, I think he's having 15 carries and 30 tackles a game and people are ripping into him saying that he's not getting involved enough.

“I just don’t really know where [the criticism] comes from.”

Scoring his first try of the season at the weekend in style with a barnstorming run out of dummy-half 40 metres out, the 22-year-old is averaging 127 run metres, a line break and a line break assist every game, on top of four tackle busts per appearance.

These numbers are more than commendable in attack, but it’s his defensive effort that should really be celebrated, averaging 29 tackles a game at 92 percent efficiency on the right edge.

To put it into perspective, he is only three tackles short a week of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s work rate in defence in the middle third, with the skipper the club’s leading tackler with an average of 32 a match.

With plenty of expectation on the 71-game star – most times, unrealistic all by himself - Titans interchange forward Jaimin Jolliffe feels it’s the responsibility of the entire team to help get the best out of Fifita.

“Dave's obviously a big name and he's a great footballer, and there's a level of expectation. He's a great player, and there's no doubt about that. He’s been really strong, but I suppose because everyone knows who he is and what he's capable of, there's that expectation,” Jolliffe said.

“He does a great job for our team. He scored a great try on the weekend that kind of got us back in the game and he's working really hard at training.

“To be honest, I don't think Dave would look at that sort of outside noise. I think it's a bit harsh, to be honest.

“As a team, we need to help Dave as well. If we're playing good football and we're completing well, Dave's playing his best football.

“When we have 36 percent possession in the first half and Dave's doing 30 something odd tackles a game, it’s going to limit the impact. It swings both ways.

“When we all play better as a team, he plays a lot better, so I think we can all just keep working harder for him.”

The last word goes to Fifita himself, who brushed off the criticism when speaking to local media on Tuesday, sending a key message to his critics.

“For him to say those kind of words… I’ll take it on the chin and prove him wrong,” Fifita said.

Expect a big game from the Titan against the Sea Eagles on Saturday.