David Fifita answers Wakefield SOS after working with troubled youngsters
DAVID Fifita could be forgiven for thinking he has gone from one last chance saloon to another after answering Wakefield’s SOS.
The prop flew back from Australia, where he was working with troubled youngsters who were one step from entering the prison system, to try and help winless Trinity avoid relegation.
After leaving at the end of last season, the 33-year-old was playing local rugby league for The Entrance Tigers.
He went from turning out off the bench in a 25-18 loss to Maitland Pickers in front of about 1,000 people at Maitland Sportsground to Newcastle’s St James’ Park in front of 26,000 at Magic Weekend.
FIfita also put a job he loves on hold and left his family – including his pregnant partner – on the other side of the world, but when pal and Wakefield boss Mark Applegarth called, there was no way he could refuse.
He said: “I had life set up back home, enjoying a full-time job as a youth case worker and I was enjoying helping kids from 10-17-years-old.
“I work with a team in Bungree and work with indigenous kids. They’ll have their two or three chances with the court, then the next step is being locked up – we were the last step before prison.
“We try to get that early intervention and give them a mentor. They look up to you and that’s good.
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“That’s what I want to do, give back to the next generation as I’ve been through what they have. I found the right path and it took me around the world. It could’ve gone the wrong way.
“It’s about telling them there’s more to life. There are lots of different services there, it’s about making sure people can find them. Also, there’s a lot of trouble in homes and it’s about trying to fix that up.
“I’d train with Entrance just two nights a week and was enjoying it. Things are similar in Newcastle to here – someone’s always going around trying to take your head off.
“I spoke to my boss and explained the situation Wakefield are in and they said, ‘Yeah, go and help them.’ I’ll go straight back in when I go back.”
Now Fifita is back in a Wakefield shirt, he has found out the pain boss Mark Applegarth conveyed is very real.
He could not inspire them to that first success against Leigh at Magic Weekend. Now to go for a win at the 15th time of asking against Leeds at Belle Vue.
And he believes the ingredients are there, adding: “It’s a good bunch of players, that’s a good thing. They’re busting their arses, it’s just injuries are hurting us.
“I saw how much the club was struggling and to hear the struggles in Mark’s voice about how many injuries we have and that, I just had to come back.
“I’d been at Wakefield for seven years, I’ll always follow them. It hurt, I was hurting watching them go through this year.
“When Mark sent the message, I had to come. Leaving my family for the rest of the season is tough, especially as my missus is due to give birth at the start of September.
“I’ll be over here when the baby’s born, missing the birth will be tough but I’ve been part of relegation battles before and it’s not a good place to be.
“But at the same time, we know how to get out of it and we’re not far off.”