Andrew Fifita won’t be fazed by the ongoing fallout from NSW State of Origin series loss as he aims to propel Cronulla’s NRL premiership defence, according to coach Shane Flanagan.
The Sharks have enjoyed their first full week without Origin distractions in two months ahead of Friday’ clash with South Sydney, as they try to fight back into the NRL’s top four.
Cronulla’s five Origin representatives were the equal-highest of any club besides Melbourne, as they went three-from-six throughout the period.
Flanagan is confident the five have overcome the representative hangover, including Fifita, whose proposed move to the NSW bench was shelved in the lead-up to the decider.
But the Sharks coach said he didn’t expect the fallout from the series to impact the prop, who became a father for the third time last week.
“I’d hope (it spurs him on),” Flanagan said.
“He needed to get that Origin over and done with and his wife having the baby. He’s in a good headspace now.”
Aside from the investigation into Josh Dugan and Blake Ferguson’s six-hour pub visit on a day off, reports suggesting Fifita had shot down coach Laurie Daley’s move to replace him in the starting line up with David Klemmer have fuelled questions about the Blues’ culture.
However Fifita’s Sharks teammates have this week denied the suggestion, with the front-rower having told them he had never discussed the matter with Daley.
And Flanagan, a former NSW assistant coach, said it had been unfair to pin part of the Blues’ culture issues on the apparent episode.
“There has been (a lot of talk) – probably a little bit unwarranted maybe,” Flanagan said.
“Obviously Andrew has said he didn’t know too much about it.
“The talk post-Origin has got nothing to do with Andrew. He just needs to get his head back into Cronulla – which he will – and do what he needs to do here for the rest of the year.”
Meanwhile Flanagan said he had felt a fresh start around training this week, before Maloney was the last of the Origin players to return on Thursday.
“I’m ecstatic,” he said.
“Jimmy had a couple of days off and he came back and was nice and fast today which was good.
“We’ve got to treat it as a new competition now.”
STATS THAT MATTER
* South Sydney likely need to win six of their last seven to make the finals.
* Luke Lewis will play his 300th NRL game.
* Cronulla have not lost a game after scoring the first try this year.