Andrew Fifita

Fifita undergoes successful throat surgery

The surgeon carrying out the procedure informed that the surgery was successful, with Andrew expected to make a full recovery. 

A statement released by Fifita’s club Cronulla Sharks said he will now remain in ICU in the short term, before continuing his recovery in hospital. 

“Andrew's wife Nikki and the Fifita family would like to express their thanks to their many friends, Sharks members and fans and the wider rugby league community for the support and well wishes received, with the family now looking for some space and privacy during the recovery process.” 

Fifita faces battle to regain spot but not being forced out of club: Morris

Fifita was linked to the Dragons on Tuesday after Morris left the premiership-winning prop out of his game-day 17 for a third consecutive week.

Dragons coach Anthony Griffin was coy on the club's interest in Fifita when pressed on Thursday, while Morris insists he had no knowledge the Sharks prop was interested in moving on.

"It's all speculation as far as I can see," Morris said on Friday.

"We've had no approach from Andrew or his management so I'm not going to get drawn into any comment."

Tonga’s Fifita wants to let his play do talking at World Nines

Now the outspoken NRL star has set his sights on letting his football do the talking when the Tongan invitational team battle in the inaugural World Cup nines.

After enduring a rollercoaster season for Cronulla, which included a premature exit from the finals, Fifita can only see smooth times ahead.

"I'm sweet. I'm ready to go. I played (Koori) knockout last weekend, so I know my game fitness is pretty good," Fifita said.

"I missed one game through injury this year. That was caused by a very hairy knock. But other than that, suspensions got the better of me."

Andrew Fifita cops 3-match suspension, misses Mt Smart test

Fifita appeared in front of the NRL judiciary, via video link, on Tuesday night in an attempt to have a dangerous contact charge downgraded but was unsuccessful. 

If the giant prop could have got the charge downgraded from a grade two to a grade one he would have escaped a ban and been free to take on the Kiwis at Mount Smart Stadium. 

He had earlier plead guilty to the charge and only contested the grading.

His dangerous contact charge resulted from a crusher tackle on Canberra's Ryan Sutton during the Cronulla Sharks 22-20 victory on Thursday night.

Tonga's Andrew Fifita to miss Kiwis test

The Cronulla front-rower was unsuccessful in his bid to have his grade two dangerous contact charge downgraded, ruling him out of Saturday's Oceania Cup Test as well as the Sharks' next two matches against the Bulldogs and Broncos.

The NRL judiciary panel deemed there was sufficient evidence of foul play against Fifita in his tackle attempt on Canberra's Ryan Sutton in the eighth minute of Thursday night's defeat by the Raiders.

Andrew Fifita calls on top silk to keep Tongan Test dream alive

Fifita is expected to fly to New Zealand on Sunday night and join the Tongan camp ahead of Saturday's blockbuster against the Kiwis. He will appear at the NRL judiciary via video link where he runs the risk of being suspended three matches for a dangerous contact charge.

Fifita landed in hot water for his crusher tackle on Canberra's Ryan Sutton, but reached out to top silk Nick Ghabar to argue his case.

The Sharks superstar will plead guilty to the charge, but seek a downgrade from a grade two to a grade one, which would mean escaping a ban.

Andrew Fifita hints at another Tongan defection ahead of Kiwis test

Cronulla prop Fifita suggested his cousin was considering committing to the Mate Ma'a for next month's test against New Zealand in what would be a massive blow for Queensland's depth.

David Fifita was thought to be a leading contender to grab a Queensland bench spot for Origin I in a fortnight.

But Andrew Fifita said he was one of a host of young players with dual eligibility who wanted to commit to the fast-emerging Pacific nation.

"I feel like change is coming, especially for the international game," Andrew Fifita said.

Fifita and Prior should be right for Manly

The Sharks lost Fifita barely seven minutes into their Magic Round win over the Titans and Prior not long after.

But veteran skipper Paul Gallen lifted in the pair's absence along with big contributions from bench forwards Brayden Hamlin-Uele, Jack Williams and Jayson Bukuya to overturn an 18-10 halftime deficit to run home 26-18 winners over an ill-disciplined Gold Coast at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.

Fifita humbled with respect shown by Kangaroos

Then they burst into song, calling for the Tongan prop to drink it like anyone else who walked into that dressing room.

"To be honest yeah, they did," Fifita said when asked if he was one of the players you could hear the Aussies cheering from the corridors beneath Mt Smart Stadium.

"It's just old rituals. I remember doing the left hand skoll. I don't really drink often now but when the boys ask you it's just mutual respect. It's not me but I do it for the boys because it's just the respect coming out of that game."

Fifita wants Tonga's shot at Kangaroos

Fifita helped kickstart a revolution of the global game last year when he walked away from Australia to play for Tonga, creating unprecedented interest in the Pacific nations with the help of Jason Taumalolo.

Tonga are desperate for a maiden Test against the Kangaroos at the end of this year and did their chances no harm in Saturday night's 38-22 defeat of Samoa in front of almost 18,000 people at Sydney's Campbelltown Stadium.