Roosters reveal plans for backflipping Fifita

Roosters coach Trent Robinson insists his side will treat David Fifita like every other Titans player on Sunday afternoon in what will be the first meeting between the teams since the edge forward backflipped on a four-year deal with the Tricolours.

Fifita was set to join the Roosters for the next four years but changed his mind which saw them withdraw their offer in May before he decided to stay with the Titans.

The move ruffled plenty of feathers at the time, but it’s worked out for the Sydney club with Origin star Angus Crichton now locked in until the end of the 2026 season after initially fearing he could be squeezed out if Fifita made the move south.

“There’s been a respect on game style and how do we nullify him, and then also take advantage of things that we see,” Robinson said.

“That’s as simple as it is.

“I thought it might be different coming into this week, but it’s just been getting about our task with one of the other players on the opposition.

“We moved on pretty quickly and so did he.”

The Roosters have an incredible record against the Titans and will be bolstered by the return of veteran prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves from suspension for Sunday’s clash as they fight for a top-two finish.

They will be without Blues utility Connor Watson after he was hit high by Parramatta’s Wiremu Greig last week, but they needn’t worry given how well Brandon Smith has played since he missed a team meeting earlier this year.

The nuggety hooker was outstanding in the win over the Eels and has impressed his teammates who are just glad they don’t have to tackle him anymore.

“He underestimates how much of an impact he has on this team,” Spencer Leniu said.

“When Brandon Smith is being Brandon Smith, he’s sort of like that flint. Once he catches fire, everyone jumps on board with it and it blows up into a massive fire.

“I’m really proud of how he’s handled himself and it’s shown in the last couple of weeks. It’s a credit to him.

“I love playing with him. I spent a couple of years where I had to mark up against him and had to do a lot of video on how to nullify a player like him.

“It gives me confidence being beside him because his energy is contagious.”