David Fifita is fit, firing and looking forward to the footy being back.
Even more so the fact this is his first pre-season without injury and it's clearly showing.
Looking a lean, mean, try-scoring and tackling machine at around the 114 kilogram mark of pure muscle ahead of his second year at the Titans, the powerhouse edge forward has enjoyed his first opportunity of an undisrupted pre-season.
'It's an honour to represent my heritage' - Fifita
"This is probably my first time being injury free leading up to a pre-season and I have got a full pre-season in," the Origin forward said.
"I'm in good knick and I am happy with where I am at with my fitness and game."
Recovering from a niggling rib injury that was a nuisance during the back-end of last season, his first quest as a fully-fit forward is overcoming the Maoris in his fourth Indigenous All Stars appearance in just under a fortnight.
"I'm excited... next Saturday we get to play and I am looking forward to it," Fifita said.
"It means a lot looking back to where I came from and representing my grandparents and my mum and dad's culture.
"It's an honour to represent my heritage and the people that played before me and I get to wear the proud jersey.
"I am always looking towards this game. It's different to other games and I really look forward to getting amongst it with the boys."
Nearing the eve of running out for his second season on the Gold Coast, the point-scoring machine still has vivid memories of how 2021 ended, but knows bowing out the way they did will only ignite the fire in the belly for the whole squad.
"We wanted to play that next week (after the elimination final) and even the week after that, but it is what it is. That's in the past and we've learned from it," Fifita said.
"We've done all our reviews on last year and it's a different year this year.
"Obviously the hunger is there, but we have a new side with some new boys onboard. It's a new year with new goals and we just want to strive for success. That's been our benchmark for the whole pre-season.
"I am just happy I have now had my first season at the club and got to know all the boys. I'm really comfortable with the place and I am just looking forward to this year."
Being utilised as an impact player off the bench by head coach Justin Holbrook during the back-end of the last season, the 21-year-old is motivated to return to the starting pack; partnering fellow back-rower Kevin Proctor, who took Fifita under his wing when he first joined the Titans.
"Kevvie is a great player and I have learnt a lot from him," the edge forward said.
"Last year when I first came to the club, he and a few other players made my welcome great and took me under their wing.
"I want to start [this season], but I just have to wait for trials."
It's evident the two have a good, healthy relationship, especially when Proctor joked about taking his fellow teammate's head off in the upcoming All Stars.
When quizzed about what he thought of being called out by his senior, Fifita wants to let the upcoming clash in Sydney to do the talking.
"Whatever side I'm on and whatever side he's on... I'm sure we'll meet," Fifita said.
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