When a player is in form, it shows and for one Andrew Fifita, he is one of the form props in the competition right now and he showed why, as he engineered a win for his side with a barnstorming performance off the bench that included two tries.
Playing well enough to start, Fifita says he actually prefers to play from the bench, with his impact immediately felt as he and Cronulla Sharks five-eighth Todd Carney produced great performances to lead the club to a 34-22 win over the Wests Tigers.
It was all one-way traffic in the first-half and looked like it was going to be a long night for the Wests Tigers, as their error rate and sloppiness let them down, before a second half rejuvenation got them back into the contest.
Fifita, who is a former Tiger, has a knack for playing well against his former club, with Tigers fans scratching their heads as to how and why they let him go.
Fifita remembers the first time Sharks coach Shane Flanagan came to him and said he Viagra Online was starting on the bench, a moment he says was a key in getting his Origin debut.
“I still remember the first time Flanno came to me and said, `You’re starting on the bench’,” Fifita recalled.
“I’ve always known that’s the best thing for me.
“Without that I don’t think I would be in an Origin jersey.
“My impact has been excellent … I just try so hard to get that momentum.”
The bench is his preference, as it allows him to enjoy the early atmosphere of the crowd.
“I guess just having fun. I like the hype on the sideline.
“I’m either getting booed or getting into the crowd.”
Tigers coach Mick Potter was honest in his post-game assessment, saying his side was just not with it in the first half and made silly errors with the ball.
“We just weren’t good enough tonight,” said Potter.
“The other team got a good lead and we just fluffed around, made a lot of errors and the other team was just simply better.”
3. Andrew Fifita
2. Tim Simona
1. Todd Carney