https://www.outline.com/SerrUr
11 May
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has saluted Andrew Fifita for his stunning transformation from NRL rebel to stand-in Sharks captain.
Flanagan can’t sing Fifita’s praises loud enough, with the rugged forward leading the Sharks into the top eight for the first time this season with a series of
inspirational displays in the absence of fellow senior forwards Gallen, Graham and Luke Lewis.
“He’s done a fantastic job. He’s really cherished and adapted to that leadership role,” the coach said. “I don’t know if you’re born a leader or if you become a leader, but Andrew’s definitely becoming a leader and really wants to lead this team.”
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/fifita-to-miss-sharks-clash-with-knights
26 May
Fifita has played through a knee injury in recent weeks but will sit out the McDonald Jones Stadium match as the Sharks welcome back Luke Lewis and Wade Graham from injury.
"He hasn't been training all week. He turned up for the captain's run for a 10 to 15-minute run and played on the weekend," Lewis told ABC radio on Saturday.
"This week it has probably caught up with him a bit too much.
"It's probably a perfect time to give him a bit of a break for him to regroup for next week and hopefully he's right for Friday night (against South Sydney)."
Fifita has been immense for the Sharks in the absence of their other forwards.
The front-rower has
averaged more than 70 minutes per match in the past month and topped
150m twice in that period.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/cronulla-coach-unhappy-with-fifita-s-game-20180727-p4ztwt.html
27 July
"I don't think it was one of Andrew's better games at all,"
"If that is your opinion of Andrew's game that's nice but by his standards and our standards it wasn't one of his better ones."
Flanagan said he would pull Fifita aside after the loss to address his concerns but refused to elaborate.
Asked what he didn't like about Fifita's game, Flanagan said: "I will keep it at that and work with Andrew on those".
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...h/news-story/3ae9bfd9a86b38fcea20da247bed92e2
27 July
But Andrew Fifita’s gutsy effort for Cronulla in their 12-10 NRL loss to Brisbane,
after battling food poisoning, did not impress coach Shane Flanagan.
Fifita appeared to typify the brave Sharks in their Suncorp Stadium defeat on Thursday night,
producing some head turning numbers despite at one stage vomiting on the field after a dodgy lunch.
He was forced off the field after 26 minutes as he overcame the effects of food poisoning but returned to finish with
131m to his name from
18 runs plus
six tackle breaks.
He also polished off
24 tackles.
But
Sharks mentor Flanagan rolled his eyes when it was suggested after the round 20 loss that Fifita had been impressive.
Mins 50
Hitups 1st (17)
All Runs 2nd (18)
Try Assists 1st (1)
All Runs Metres 3rd (131m)
Tackle Breaks 1st (6)
Post Contact Metres 9th (22m)
Line Break Assists 1st (1)
Offloads 3rd (2)
Tackles 4th (24)
https://www.outline.com/5vKYvh
12 August
Woods is set to earn himself a starting spot.
“
We spoke about it today,’’ Flanagan said.
“
Woodsy will start in the next few weeks and mix it up with also coming off the bench. We will rotate the forwards around so we have the right mix coming into the finals.’’
What did you say Jimmy? lol
