DRAGONS forward Tyson Frizell believes it would be unfair to other Blues hopefuls if Andrew Fifita were able to play the first and third game of the upcoming State of Origin series having pledged his long-term allegiance to Tonga.
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After knocking back a place in Mal Meninga's Australian squad, Fifita was a key man in Tonga's charge to last year's World Cup semi-final where the island nation went within a whisker of a fairy tale final appearance.
It was enough for Fifita, and Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo, to swear their loyalty to coach Kristian Woolf with an eye to the next World Cup.
Fifita, who played for NSW last season, is committed to playing against Samoa in the Pacific Test on June 23 – the same weekend as the standalone Origin II fixture.
It was thought to have ruled the Sharks prop out of contention for Blues selection but, as Fairfax Media revealed this week, Tonga's status as a tier two nation leaves him eligible for NSW for games one and three.
Fifita has said he's open to the prospect but NSW certainty Frizell – who is also eligible for Tonga and Wales – was lukewarm on the idea when asked about it on Thursday.
“If you're going to be eligible for NSW you probably should be there for the full three games,” Frizell said.
“If not, he's done the right thing playing for NSW, but I wouldn't be choosing to stay out of one game and play the other two.
“It wouldn't be distracting for me but, personally, it's probably not something I would do. I wouldn't think it was fair for everyone else and also the NSW supporters.”
Mitch Jennings
Sports writer. Sport is my passion, rugby league my first love.
Sports writer. Sport is my passion, rugby league my first love.
