Canterbury Bulldogs back out of Andrew Fifita deal
Canterbury have sensationally backed out of their $3.5 million four-year deal with Sharks prop Andrew Fifita.
Just days after Fifita made the extraordinary claim that he regretted signing the contract and said he would have preferred to switch to rugby union, the Bulldogs released a statement saying he would not be joining their club next year.
The Dogs advised Fifita’s management that he would not be coming on board as "the final terms of the NRL Playing Contract could not be agreed".
Bulldogs chief executive Raelene Castle said: “After signing a memorandum of understanding with Andrew we’ve not been able to agree on the final terms of his NRL playing contract and have ceased negotiations with his management.
“We wish Andrew all the best for the future."
A statement from his management group, I.am Athlete Management said: "Andrew is disappointed that we could not finalise terms with the Bulldogs but we still have several options in the pipeline to explore."
An ARU spokesperson said that they were not aware of Fifita’s contractual matters.
"We have not had any recent discussions with him. If Andrew wanted to talk to us, it would need to be for rugby reasons and not based on the earning capacity he could demand in league," the spokesperson said.
"We won’t have any further comment on this matter, and as far as we are aware, we are not involved in his current or future plans."
The Sharks released a statement saying the club has "been made aware of the latest developments".
"No doubt this situation will be confusing and disappointing for Andrew and the Sharks as a club have an obligation to assist him and his family to manage this issue. After further review of the situation and until speaking with his Andrew and his management the Sharks are not in a position to make further comment."
Fifita was heavily pursued by South Sydney and Cronulla before he signed with Canterbury last month. The towering 24-year-old was in career-best form last year with the Sharks, an integral part of the team which made it to the finals before being eliminated by Manly in the second round.
He made his NRL debut with the Wests Tigers in 2010 before joining Cronulla two years later.
His twin brother David also plays for the Sharks and made his first-grade debut recently while Andrew was sidelined due to a shoulder-charge suspension.
Fifita made his return from his two-game suspension in the Sharks' 30-0 loss to the Knights in Newcastle on Sunday.
The about-turn comes after Fifita said last week he wished he’d chosen to go to rugby union because of all the flak he’d copped about leaving Cronulla and also declared his intention to move to rugby union some time in the future.
‘‘If I could go back now, I wish I chose rugby and then I wouldn’t be getting all the shit I’ve been catching now,’’ Fifita said.
‘‘I grew up playing rugby so it was one of the best things.‘‘It’s always going to be there and I will eventually go to union. It’s another dream and I just want to chase another dream.’’
He has a history in rugby union, having represented NSW Country in junior ranks and earned a place in the Brumbies development squad.
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