Titans tip fired-up Fifita to come roaring back from ban

Queensland’s loss appears to be Gold Coast’s gain after the Titans warned David Fifita is set to return from his State of Origin ban with a “fire in his belly” in Friday’s NRL home clash with Parramatta.

The Maroons’ hopes of avoiding a series whitewash to NSW copped a hit when Titans wrecking ball Fifita was rubbed out of Wednesday’s Origin III by a one-match suspension for a late tackle on Canberra’s Sam Williams.

While Jamal Fogarty felt for Fifita, the Titans co-captain tipped the hulking back-rower to vent his frustration on top-four outfit the Eels as Gold Coast try to stay in the top-eight hunt.

“I don’t think Davey even deserved to get suspended in my opinion,” said Fogarty.

“He got 10 in the bin on the night (for tackle on Williams), that was his penalty served.

“But for Dave to miss Origin, I think that has lit a fire in his belly and it is kind of good for us if he is a bit agitated.

“We need Dave to be Dave, for him to play his role in the team. We will get the best out of him if everyone is pulling their weight.

“He just has to come back and just be himself.”

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Indeed Titans co-leader Kevin Proctor hoped Fifita did not curb his natural aggression in his first game back from the dangerous contact ban.

“He’s got to be careful what he does with that aggression but we love it, we thrive off it,” he said.

“It is definitely something he needs to keep in his game.

“You never want to see one of your teammates miss out on a big game like Origin.

“But it is a bonus for us because he will use that motivation hopefully against Parramatta and have a ripper game.”

Fifita’s injection is another shot in the arm for Gold Coast who are still buzzing from their 44-6 thumping of the Raiders in Canberra that preceded last round’s bye.

The Titans (10th; 6-10 record) sit just two points outside the top eight with eight games remaining.

While Fogarty did not believe their finals fate hinged on Friday’s clash, he believed victory over the fourth-placed Eels would boost their top-eight hopes.

Gold Coast are yet to defeat a top-eight team this season.

“I think it will be a good indicator to see where we are at,” he said.

“It (win over Eels) will be a good confidence booster for us especially coming off the back of the Canberra game … and kick start the last eight games for us.”

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Proctor said their top-eight cause had also received a boost from the NRL’s relocation to Queensland for at least the next month due to the escalating COVID-19 outbreak in Greater Sydney.

“I reckon it is a massive advantage for us,” he said.

“We get to sleep in our own beds every night. We are cheering because we get to stay at home with our friends and family.

“But this game (against Parramatta) is massive for us.

“We were spewing because we got the bye when we were kind of on a roll but we got a lot of confidence out of that (win over Canberra).”

Meanwhile, the Titans were keeping their fingers crossed that Queensland stars AJ Brimson, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika back up from Origin duties against Parramatta.