David Fifita has opened up on what Wakefield means to him following his return to Belle Vue claiming it would be ‘one of the best accomplishments’ of his career to keep his beloved club in Super League, something they now have a real chance of after his influential performances in victories over Leeds Rhinos, Salford Red Devils, Wigan Warriors and most recently Warrington Wolves.
Fifita completed a sensational return to Wakefield earlier this season, but will likely miss the birth of his fourth child who is due next month because of he return to Belle Vu, something that Jenna Brooks referenced when asking him what his love for the club really meant.
“I can’t put it to an exact word, but it is like family,” the Big Bopper revealed on Sky Sports News’ ‘Rugby League Verdict’.
“My daughter was born here, she was born in Wakefield. I couldn’t go anywhere else, I really couldn’t. I love this town to bits. It’s pretty much like our family. I’ve been here for the last seven years, this will be my eighth season now, but honestly I could have had the option to go anywhere else but I don’t want to be anywhere else.
“This is why I’m here, I want to see Wakefield playing their best footy, I want them in the Super League. I want them playing at their best and I want to try everything to keep them up. So that’s all we’re going to do, we’ll just focus on one week at a time. Let’s have some fun, yeah!”
He continued his audible love letter to the club explaining that keeping Wakefield in Super League would be one of the biggest achievement of his career.
“I knew what I was walking into when I first signed over here; I think there was the stats that it was the worst Super League team and to put my name back in that frame, I didn’t care. It would be one of the best accomplishments I’ve ever done. To be a part of this team, to get out of the scenario we’ve been in.”
Since Fifita’s return, the club have had a remarkable turn in form which has seen them go from losing 14 in a row to winning four of their last six. The Trin are also now level on points with bitter local rivals Castleford Tigers at the bottom of the league.
During the interview on the verdict, he was quick to point out he isn’t the sole reason behind the clubs resurgence, saying: “It’s not only just me, there’s a few other senior blokes as well and I think they’ve come a long way. Luke Gale has been great for us coming back now. His leadership, he’s helping Mason Lino find his form again.”
He added: “Also Matty Ashurst and Jay Pitts, their leadership has been great, leading this young squad and I can’t fault them at all.”
Trinity head to the KCOM on Sunday to face Hull FC and they’ll have the benefit of knowing how Castleford went on Friday night as well, with this fight for Super League survival set to play out over these next seven rounds between the two.
