Australian Kangaroos forward and NSW VB Blues representative Andrew Fifita has the capabilities to be the “best forward in the competition”, according to club captain and former Origin skipper Paui Gallen.
Fifita did his Origin selection chances the world of good with a powerful performance for Cronulla against the Cowboys, setting up a try and changing the match with a powerful charge late in the second half.
"If he plays that second half every stint he plays then he's the best forward in the competition, there's no doubt about that," Gallen said.
"If he plays like that second half, there's no one who can stop that and we know that."
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan echoed his skipper’s statement.
"That's what Andrew can do; we've just got to get him doing it in the first half," Flanagan said.
"He started really well, Andrew. He showed some really sharp feet in the first half and then his second stint was probably his best stint, and we know that's what he can do.
"Overall, he changed the game for us and it was a fantastic effort.”
Fifita is one of a handful of in-form forwards hopeful of selection in the VB Blues Origin I side, to be named on Monday.
