LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
David Fifita's NRL pre-season has taken a heavy hit with a brutal injury blow for the Gold Coast Titans.
The powerhouse forward suffered a pectoral injury during training, casting doubt over his availability for the upcoming season.
Titans coach Des Hasler is left reeling from this setback, as Fifita was expected to play a key role in the team's campaign.
The extent of the damage will be determined after a scan on Tuesday, with the 23-year-old scheduled for surgery on Wednesday.
This injury comes on the heels of a knee cleanout that forced Fifita to withdraw from Tonga's tour of England.
Despite these setbacks, Fifita had an impressive season with the Titans in 2023, earning himself a recall to Queensland's State of Origin side.
Alongside his Maroons teammate and fellow Titan Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Fifita had recently inked a lucrative contract extension, making this injury blow even more disheartening.
While he had been in the rehab group upon his return to training, Fifita had limited on-field work before succumbing to this injury.
The Gold Coast Titans are hopeful that Fifita will recover in time for their round-one clash against St George Illawarra, giving their home fans reason to cheer.
According to The NRL Physio, the typical recovery time for a torn pectoral like Fifita's is between 10 to 14 weeks, suggesting that he should be available for the season opener on March 24.