With JoJo Fifita named to make his debut this week, rugbyleaguewriters.com have looked into his QCup form and how it might translate into the NRL.
Rugby League Writers has spent the year covering the Tweed Seagulls in the Hostplus Cup and have been able to see JoJo Fifita earn his NRL debut with the Gold Coast Titans this week.
The 19-year-old has featured eight times for the Seagulls in 2022 scoring seven tries, breaking the line seven times and handing out two try assists. He’s quick, can break tackles (17 this year) and has the patience and ability to sum up a situation with the ball before making the right pass or finding the corner himself.
Any highlight packages introducing Fifita to the NRL will feature streaking runs down the sideline and finishes in the corner. He has looked comfortable on the end of Tweed’s wide-ranging shifts all season.
However, it’s his willingness and ability in yardage that is perhaps most encouraging. It’s an area of the field a lot of younger players might shy away from. Listed at 91kg, he’s not the biggest winger going around at Hostplus Cup or NRL level. Still, he puts his hand up for the tough carries and his contact and leg drive have turned numerous Tweed yardage sets around with a strong carry.
You can see how he breaks the first tackle before pushing through the second to earn his team 15 valuable metres here.
When given a little bit more time and space to wind up, Fifita is dangerous on kick returns. Tweed played in poor conditions against the Capras three weeks ago. Still, Fifita was able to apply some footwork to beat the initial kick-chase and pick up extra metres against a disjointed defensive line.
Unfortunately, we don’t get a lot of helpful angles to assess wing defence in the Hostplus Cup but Fifita hasn’t stood out as a weakness. Tweed typically slides in defence and he made good enough contact to complete this try saver in his last match for the Seagulls.
What we do know is that Fifita is reliable in the air. Whether it be collecting a cross-field kick from Lindon McGrady or defusing an opposition bomb, Fifita is confident and comfortable in the air. Given how much the Titans are struggling for points, the youngster will surely be an option on the last tackle this week. Perhaps Tweed teammate Tanah Boyd can find him in the air?
Fifita is signed with the Titans and has been destined for a crack in the top grade at some point, but it’s a worthwhile reminder that the Hostplus Cup is stacked with talent. It’s a nursery for young players and despite so few clubs considering those over 23 or 24 years old for an NRL debut, plenty look capable of stepping up. Check-in on the action at QPlus.tv and keep up with our work for the Tweed Seagulls.
Written by Rugby League Writers for Tweed Seagulls Media
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