Andrew Fifita

Andrew Fifita fined $20,000

He has also been warned that any further material breach of the NRL rules is likely to result in his registration being cancelled.

Rugby league star Andrew Fifita shares despair, redemption in Christchurch

The 27-year-old NRL prop for the Cronulla-Sharks arrived in Christchurch from Sydney with his wife, Nikki,​ and two young children on Wednesday morning.

Fifita, who is Tongan and Aboriginal, was invited to speak to whanau in east Christchurch ahead of a Pacific Series 2016 tournament at Wainoni Park on November 11 and 12. 

Fifita did not hold back as he talked candidly about his upbringing in a state house in Western Sydney, his "troubled teenage life", the harsh realities of his professional football career, battles with weight gain and his descent in to depression. 

Roos jersey will help Fifita: Dugan

Fifita said last week he was exploring the possibility of a switch to rugby union because he feared the NRL could rip up his playing contract at any moment.

The Sharks premiership winner was banned from selection from coach Mal Meninga's 24-man Australian Four Nations squad because of off-field issues.

I feel like I'm on my last chance: Fifita

Despite leading his side to grand final glory earlier this month, Fifita was not selected for the Kangaroos Four Nations squad for publicly supporting convicted one-punch killer Kieran Loveridge. 

Fifita said he hadn't spoken to Loveridge since their friendship became public. 

The 27-year-old condemned Loveridge's actions, labelling them as "wrong" and said that it had taken him two-and-a-half years to forgive him.

Speaking on Sky News on Tuesday night, the Sharks front-rower said he felt his future in the game was in jeopardy. 

Lines blurred after Fifita's Kangaroos omission, Maloney says

Fifita and Parramatta winger Semi Radradra were both ineligible for selection in the 24-man squad after management expressed concern the pair's indiscretions could prove a distraction.

Fifita considering quitting NRL over selection snub

Fifita was a glaring omission from Mal Meninga’s 24-man Four Nations squad announced on Tuesday ahead of the Four Nations against England, New Zealand and Scotland.

ARL Chairman John Grant confirmed the decision was part of a new stance which will see players overlooked for representative honours for bad behaviour.

''There is not a contract to play with the Kangaroos, it's a privelege and honour,” Grant said earlier this week.

Sharks duo feel for Radradra

Radradra's absence from the Parramatta club has been heavily scrutinised in recent weeks with rumour rife the Australia international may yet walk out on the club to take up a deal in French rugby. 

Barba and Fifita have had contractual troubles of their own throughout their careers and could understand where Radradra was coming from after his decision to travel back to his native Fiji. 

Barba has battled homesickness in the past – with it being the reason behind his move to the Broncos in 2014 – and couldn't blame Radradra for any decision he ends up making.