Small detail in David Fifita’s State of Origin try celebration reveals Queensland star’s heartbreak

Queensland Origin star David Fifita was all smiles after scoring the first try on Wednesday night – but his celebration was also tinged with sadness. 

Fifita, 23, pounced on a loose ball to crash over in the 11th minute at Accor Stadium in Sydney, and paid tribute to his father Siaosi Teisina Fifita, who is in jail in relation to a number of alleged offences between June 2021 and October last year.

His estranged wife previously said Fifita, 44, was suffering ‘significant mental and physical impairment’ at the time of his alleged offending, which included accusations of entering a dwelling with intent and driving unlicensed and unregistered.

He was refused bail in January in a Queensland court as it was feared he may commit further offences if freed.

Maroons backrower Fifita showed off the words ‘mum’ and ‘dad’ written on tape around his wrists as he celebrated his try, making sure his incarcerated father knew he was in his thoughts.

Queensland Origin star David Fifita was all smiles after scoring the first try on Wednesday night – but his celebration (pictured above) was also tinged with sadness

Fifita, 23, crashed over in the 11th minute at Accor Stadium in Sydney, and was quick to pay tribute to his father Siaosi Teisina Fifita, who is in jail

It also isn’t the first stint behind bars for Fifita’s father.

In November of 2019, Fifita snr pleaded guilty in Brisbane Magistrates Court to 11 charges, including drug possession, forceful entry and common assault between July 2018 and May 2019.

The bulk of the charges stemmed from a violent clash with a man and a woman on January 7, 2019 at a Brisbane address.

The court heard Fifita went to the house with three men to speak to a man following a series of attacks on his brother’s home and car.

Things turned ugly when Fifita picked up a steel bar and physically threatened the woman after she yelled at him to leave.

The residents defended themselves by spraying Fifita in the face with degreaser and hitting him with a hammer, police prosecutor Ben Michell said at the time.

David (pictured with his mother) showed support for his father Siaosi Teisina Fifita, who pleaded guilty to 11 charges in 2019 and was later jailed for 83 days

Siaosi Teisina Fifita told the court his actions had cost him the chance to see his son (pictured with mother and grandmother) make his NRL debut with the Brisbane Broncos in 2018

‘The defendant then said to the male victim ‘I’ll shoot you’…it is ugly offending,’ he told the court.

Fifita senior was also charged with four counts of allegedly receiving tainted items related to number plates and jewellery, and alleged possession of 2.3 grams of methamphetamine.

‘It shows he’s clearly drug-affected and it may have impacted his behaviour,’ Mr Michell said.

Fifita was sentenced to 83 days in prison following the offences – and is likely to face court later this year for his recent alleged offending.