David Fifita’s shock return explained

Last night Wakefield Trinity stunned everyone by announcing the return of David Fifita.

They signed him on a deal until the end of 2023 as they hope he can save them from relegation.

Mark Applegarth has now explained the decision on BBC Radio Leeds.

“Yeah, well, Dave’s someone I know really well. He’s been at the club for a number of years, or was at the club for a number of years.

“t’s fair to say that we’ve been needing a bit of go forward in his pack. When we started getting a couple more injuries, we were just chatting casually about all the things, things and I just said, listen, is there any chance that you could come back on a short-term stint to help me out and help the team out?

“It’s a club close to his heart. He knows what sort of predicament we’re in at the moment. So he said, yes, I’m just going to get a deal sorted and that. I’ll come back over and do what I can for you.

“So really, really chuffed that we’ve got him back. It’s been a massive lift for the lads in the dressing room and also for the people around the club. Seeing a player of Dave’s calibre come back and hopefully he’ll add a much-needed boost.

“He felt he could offer something still, so once we realised it was a possibility and he got things sorted on his end with his work and obviously his family, pretty easy to sort from there. That was Michael leading from that sense, I was just purely from the coaching and playing side of things.”