Date: 25/10/13
Australia prop Andrew Fifita wants to bring the ‘boom’ to the Kangaroos’ game during Rugby League World Cup 2013, starting against England in the tournament opener on Saturday at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff (2.30pm).
Australia face England as part of a thrilling double-header, which also sees Wales take on Italy in the later kick-off (4.30pm), and which follows a must-see opening ceremony underneath the stadium’s closed roof.
Cronulla Sharks player Fifita has made it on to the bench for the grand opening against England, something which delights the 24-year-old, on his first tour with the Australian team.
“It is special to be named in the team to play England and I am very excited,” said Fifita. “I am doing my family proud and there a lot of players that I want to play with, I am at the highest level now and I am playing for my country.
“The likes of Billy Slater and Cameron Smith, I really want to play with those types of guys because they are different and I just really can’t wait to be playing around them.
“They just take it to a new level. It is just so professional here, I am learning a lot. Everyone is saying that I am still a rookie, and it is my first tour, my first camp, my first Australia selection, and I am learning a lot of new stuff.
“I really can’t wait to play on the weekend just to prove to the boys that I am worthy enough to play with this bunch of blokes.
Fifita won the NRL’s DallyM Prop of the Year award for 2013 and he believes that, having already played at State of Origin level, he is now ready to perform on the international stage, just like his uncle, John Fifita, who played international Rugby League for Tonga in the 1980s.
“Playing State of Origin has given me so much confidence in my game, playing the way I play my game,” said Fifita. “It has just given me a free run so I can’t wait to get out there on Saturday and show the world what I can really do.
“I think my role will be to come off the bench and bring that impact back into our game. I did it at Origin level and I was fairly happy with the way that I played and I am hoping to bring that boom off the bench for Australia.”
Tickets for the opening ceremony of RLWC2013 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, featuring England v Australia (2.30pm) and Wales v Italy (4.30pm) cost from just £20 for adults and £10 for concessions. To purchase please visit www.rlwc2013.com/tickets or call the 24-hour Ticket Hotline on 0844 847 2013.
