LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, the Gold Coast Titans captain, has dismissed rumors that David Fifita's relationship with coach Des Hasler is "untenable," following reports suggesting that the forward has been offered to rival clubs.
Fifita was notably dropped for the Titans' Magic Round loss to the Bulldogs after contributing to a previous heavy defeat against North Queensland.
Reports indicate that Fifita had requested a shift to the left edge of the Titans' attack, where teammate Beau Fermor has been excelling, but Hasler rejected this request and sent him to reserve grade.
Fifita, who had pre-season surgery on his ankle, has been dealing with ongoing complications, requiring pain-killing injections.
He has been playing through significant pain, which may explain his inconsistent performance this season.
Adding to the challenges, he has now been ruled out of upcoming matches against Newcastle and Townsville Blackhawks, with no clear timeline for his return.
Despite speculation about a possible end to Fifita's tenure with the Titans, Fa'asuamaleaui has defended him, commending his attitude following the controversial decision to bench him.
He stated, "Dave was really good last week with all the media talk and a lot of things being said.
He turned up with the right attitude and got us ready to play the game on the weekend." Critics have also questioned Fifita's effort in training; however, Fa'asuamaleaui rejected these claims as unfounded.
Hasler commented on Fifita's situation after the loss to the Bulldogs, indicating that the star player "had some thinking to do in some areas" of his game.
The internal dynamics within the team, particularly surrounding Fifita's health and performance, continue to be a focal point as the Titans navigate this challenging period.