David Fifita: Injury, Salary, and Rabbitohs Contract

When an NRL back-rower changes clubs, it’s rarely just a contract move. For David Fifita, the early-2026 switch from the Gold Coast Titans to the South Sydney Rabbitohs is a story of injury, family, and a career at a crossroads.

Age: 26 years (born 25 February 2000) · Height: 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) · Weight: 110 kg (243 lb) · Position: Second-row forward · Current club: South Sydney Rabbitohs · State of Origin: Won in 2023

Nine key numbers that define David Fifita’s profile so far:

What happened to David Fifita?

Contract release from Gold Coast Titans

On 29 October 2025, the Gold Coast Titans announced that Fifita would depart the club after appearing 90 times for them. The Gold Coast Titans (official club site) stated that Fifita had been contracted for the 2026 season but was granted a release. His last season with the Titans was limited to eight games due to a recurring ankle injury.

Signing with South Sydney Rabbitohs

Shortly after the release, Fifita signed a multi-year deal with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, reportedly for two years starting in 2026. AAP News (Australian Associated Press) reported that coach Wayne Bennett was keen on acquiring him. The move reunites Fifita with Bennett, who coached him at the Broncos.

The pattern: The move hinges on whether Fifita’s body can withstand the demands of a new system and a coach who pushes players hard.

Is David Fifita related to Andrew Fifita?

Family relationship

David Fifita is not a brother of Andrew Fifita, but they are cousins. NRL.com (official league website) reported that the two players share a family connection through Tonga: their grandfathers came from the same village of Vava’u. David is of Torres Strait Islander (Badu) descent on his mother’s side and Tongan on his father’s side, as detailed by NRL.com (official league website).

Both players in NRL

Andrew Fifita, a Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks prop, retired in 2023 after a decorated career. David made his NRL debut in 2019, when Andrew was still playing. Despite the surname, David has said he gets “no family discount” from his older cousin on the field.

The implication: The Fifita name in rugby league carries weight, but the two players are distinct in generation and position.

How much does David Fifita get paid?

Current contract value

David Fifita’s salary is estimated at around $800,000 per season, according to Fox Sports (sports news outlet). His previous extension with the Titans was reported to keep him at the club until the end of 2026, but the exact figures remain undisclosed.

Salary cap implications

South Sydney’s salary cap situation is tight, but the club believes Fifita’s deal fits within NRL rules. AAP News (Australian Associated Press) noted that the Rabbitohs are restructuring their roster to accommodate him. The two-year contract (2026-2027) gives both sides flexibility.

The catch: The Rabbitohs are betting that his health holds up to justify the cap space.

What is David Fifita’s background?

Early life and junior career

Born in Brisbane, Queensland on 25 February 2000, David Fifita played junior rugby league for the Brisbane Broncos. NRL.com (official league website) profiled him as a teenager commuting on a 4.57am train to training. His father, David Fifita Sr., was a former rugby league player, and his cousin Andrew Fifita already made a name in the NRL.

Rise through NRL ranks

Fifita signed a Broncos contract extension on 13 February 2018, keeping him at the club until the end of 2020, according to Kiddle (encyclopedia for kids). He made his NRL debut in 2019 and quickly became a destructive ball-runner. After 2020, he moved to the Gold Coast Titans where he played 90 games before his 2026 release — a trajectory that shows both his durability and the need for a fresh start.

What is David Fifita’s injury history?

Rehab report and return timeline

Fifita’s injury woes began with a partial tear of his pectoral muscle in December 2023, reported by Fox Sports (sports news outlet). Then in May 2025, he was ruled out indefinitely with an ankle injury. AAP News (Australian Associated Press) reported in August 2025 that he was not expected to play again that season after his third ankle surgery. He underwent rehabilitation and is expected to be fully fit for the 2026 season.

Impact on performance

The ankle injury limited Fifita to just eight games in the 2025 season. Gold Coast Titans (official club site) confirmed that his recurring ankle issue was a factor in the decision to part ways. Despite the setbacks, Fifita’s physical attributes — 188 cm and 110 kg — remain elite for a second-row forward.

The risk: South Sydney’s investment rides on the stability of his ankle.

Timeline

• 25 February 2000 – Born in Brisbane, Queensland (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
• 2019 – NRL debut for Brisbane Broncos (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
• 2020-2024 – Played for Gold Coast Titans (Gold Coast Titans (official club site))
• 2023 – Won State of Origin with Queensland (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
• 2025 – Suffered ankle injury, third surgery, played only 8 games (AAP News (Australian Associated Press))
• Early 2026 – Released from Titans, signed with South Sydney Rabbitohs (Gold Coast Titans (official club site))

What we know for sure vs. what’s unclear

Quotes

“We thank David for his contributions to our club and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”

— Gold Coast Titans statement, 29 October 2025 (Gold Coast Titans (official club site))

“Excited to join the Rabbitohs family and get back to doing what I love.”

— David Fifita via Instagram, 2026 (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))

“He’s still contracted for 2026, so we’ll get him back on his feet and running.”

— Titans coach, quoted by AAP News (Australian Associated Press), August 2025

David Fifita’s career is at a key moment. For South Sydney, the decision is clear: back a proven Origin forward who needs careful management of his ankle, or risk losing a player who could be a difference-maker in the forward pack. If Fifita stays healthy, the Rabbitohs get a bargain. If not, the $800,000 cap hit could loom large.

Readers seeking a deeper dive into his contract and injury status can consult David Fifitas Rabbitohs move and salary.

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