davi
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Andrew Fifita compared to Arthur Beetson is a big call considering Beetson is an immortal. Fifita has suggested that Beetson was before his time so he never got to saw him play. I didn't either, 1980 state of origin doesn't really count Beetson was in his twilight years then.
It should be noted though that 'comparing' someone to their other players talent and 'reminding' commentators from similar playing styles are two separate issues.
"Andrew Fifita never laid eyes on Arthur Beetson, although he is flattered by the comparisons.
"To have those calls, it's a privilege," he said, before adding with his trademark guffaw: "I never got to see Artie play, but if he played like me he's a legend."
Fifita also has the chance to become a Great of Origin. Not since Big Artie has a front rower so imposed himself on the contest. Upon returning to the Kangaroos, Fifita saw his name on an Australian honour board. Next to it was that of Arthur Beetson, as a member of the team of the century.
"It was an honour just to be part of the team but to see that, I was just stoked," Fifita said.
After Wednesday's heroics, there are fresh comparisons. The physique, the footwork and, most notably, that uncanny ability to bend the line and still promote the football.
"He's got the same motto as me, I risk things. You got to risk it for the biscuit," Fifita said of his knack for offloading the Steeden.
"I just play what's in front of me, that's just me as a player. I guess you could say I'm versatile for a front rower, I'm a bit different.
"I feel like I'm a half but at the end of the day I'm a frontrower. I just look up and see what's in front of me and go for glory."
Debate will rage about whether Australian selectors made the right call in overlooking Fifita for the Clive Churchill medal. There could be no denying him this time. The 27 year old earned man of the match honours after scattering would-be Maroons defenders on Wednesday night in one of the great Origin front-row performances.
"This is what you live for, big games like these," he said.
"Big games like the Aussies, that's the pinnacle, the jersey you want to get,
"They say this is pretty much a trial match to be part of the World Cup squad. I felt I did my job, I got the starting gig I always wanted. It's a credit, a goal, to get one of the starting gigs.
"At the end of the day I thought I did the jersey proud and the state proud."
Fifita's assault briefly halted when he was taken from the field to undergo a concussion test. He passed, returned to the field with renewed vigour and scored the try that ultimately sealed the result.
"I've got a job to do and that job is easy," Fifita said.
"I'm a front rower - just grab the ball, run hard and tackle harder."
Fifita's Blues teammates were full of praise after the barnstorming performance.
"He was outstanding, really hard to handle," said fellow forward and Blues debutant Jake Trbojevic.
"He made great runs, offloaded the ball and just did a great job to get us on the front foot."
Blues skipper Boyd Cordner added: "He's shown in the past, especially in the grand final, he's really playing well in the big games.
"He's always a relaxed character and the boys feed off that. He's a great player and he showed that with a couple of his plays that got us on the front foot, how damaging he can be."
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rug...ons-great-arthur-beetson-20170601-gwhx0o.html
It should be noted though that 'comparing' someone to their other players talent and 'reminding' commentators from similar playing styles are two separate issues.
"Andrew Fifita never laid eyes on Arthur Beetson, although he is flattered by the comparisons.
"To have those calls, it's a privilege," he said, before adding with his trademark guffaw: "I never got to see Artie play, but if he played like me he's a legend."
Fifita also has the chance to become a Great of Origin. Not since Big Artie has a front rower so imposed himself on the contest. Upon returning to the Kangaroos, Fifita saw his name on an Australian honour board. Next to it was that of Arthur Beetson, as a member of the team of the century.
"It was an honour just to be part of the team but to see that, I was just stoked," Fifita said.
After Wednesday's heroics, there are fresh comparisons. The physique, the footwork and, most notably, that uncanny ability to bend the line and still promote the football.
"He's got the same motto as me, I risk things. You got to risk it for the biscuit," Fifita said of his knack for offloading the Steeden.
"I just play what's in front of me, that's just me as a player. I guess you could say I'm versatile for a front rower, I'm a bit different.
"I feel like I'm a half but at the end of the day I'm a frontrower. I just look up and see what's in front of me and go for glory."
Debate will rage about whether Australian selectors made the right call in overlooking Fifita for the Clive Churchill medal. There could be no denying him this time. The 27 year old earned man of the match honours after scattering would-be Maroons defenders on Wednesday night in one of the great Origin front-row performances.
"This is what you live for, big games like these," he said.
"Big games like the Aussies, that's the pinnacle, the jersey you want to get,
"They say this is pretty much a trial match to be part of the World Cup squad. I felt I did my job, I got the starting gig I always wanted. It's a credit, a goal, to get one of the starting gigs.
"At the end of the day I thought I did the jersey proud and the state proud."
Fifita's assault briefly halted when he was taken from the field to undergo a concussion test. He passed, returned to the field with renewed vigour and scored the try that ultimately sealed the result.
"I've got a job to do and that job is easy," Fifita said.
"I'm a front rower - just grab the ball, run hard and tackle harder."
Fifita's Blues teammates were full of praise after the barnstorming performance.
"He was outstanding, really hard to handle," said fellow forward and Blues debutant Jake Trbojevic.
"He made great runs, offloaded the ball and just did a great job to get us on the front foot."
Blues skipper Boyd Cordner added: "He's shown in the past, especially in the grand final, he's really playing well in the big games.
"He's always a relaxed character and the boys feed off that. He's a great player and he showed that with a couple of his plays that got us on the front foot, how damaging he can be."
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rug...ons-great-arthur-beetson-20170601-gwhx0o.html
