LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In today's rugby league, representing one's heritage is a cherished ambition for many players. However, for some stars, the reality can be harsh, as one premiership winner experienced significant backlash following his decision.
Andrew Fifita, a former prop for the Cronulla Sharks, has shared the emotional difficulties he faced after his unexpected choice to switch allegiance from Australia to Tonga before the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. This pivotal decision not only impacted his career but also transformed the landscape of international rugby.
Fifita recalled that the full weight of his decision struck him while he was dining at a Chinese restaurant in western Sydney with family.
"I had made the decision earlier that day," Fifita told News Corp.
"As we were walking to dinner, we were just getting scrutinised by everyone. People were running out of the pub to spray me."
Hours earlier, it was revealed that the then-Kangaroos prop had made a secret agreement with Jason Taumalolo, who also switched from New Zealand to Tonga. Their decision sent ripples through the rugby community, igniting a Pacific revolution that paved the way for teams like Samoa, Fiji, and the Cook Islands to follow suit.