The commitment Andrew Fifita showed his teammates on the field during his NRL career is forming the basis of how he wants to coach the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Under 19s girls in this year’s Westpac Tarsha Gale Cup.
It is Fifita’s debut in NSWRL pathways coaching – his only previous hit-out coaching the De La Salle Under 10s girls – and he’s attacking it the only way he knows how … by creating a strong team culture.
“I’m pretty comfortable with my coaching style, and culturally they seem to be that tight-knit, connected group who want to work for each other,” said Fifita, who enjoyed a 251-game NRL career highlighted by the 2016 Premiership with the Sharks.
He also scored two tries in 10 Origin games (2013-2017) and has played 17 internationals – 10 for Tonga and seven for Australia.
“I’m not the type of coach that goes a lot into stats and video … yes that’s still an important part. But I can bring a group together and get the best out of them,” he said.
“This is only a short season. It is not a multi-year space like a NRL club has to bring a great culture to a group. I’ve got to do it in a couple of weeks.
“And I’m confident I can do that. Yes, we don’t have the biggest team, but we’re fit and there’s a love for each other.”
Cronulla-Sutherland snuck into sixth and last spot for the 2024 Tarsha Gale Cup finals last year, had an upset win over Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy (24-6) in Week One of the finals but fell against eventual champions Illawarra Steelers (26-4) in the Semi-finals.
Fifita says he only has a few players remaining from last year’s group as the bulk moves up into the senior grade – the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership.
The Sharks’ first Under 19s game for the 2025 season is Saturday 1 February against Penrith Panthers at HE Laybutt Field.
“The Panthers will be a tough one first up, but we’re excited and we’re ready,” Fifita said.
“It’s been a good ride so far. We haven’t lost a trial (game) yet so I’m quite happy.”
The Sharks enjoyed victories over South Sydney Rabbitohs, Wests Tigers and Canberra Raiders and have built nicely towards Round One.


It may still be a little perplexing how a dual international, premiership-winner, and all round tough-guy prop forward ends up coaching an Under 19s girls team.
“Honestly, I’m still asking myself the same question,” Fifita said.
“But my daughter (Lyla) plays a massive part of it, having coached her team.
“Towards the end of my career I wanted to help grow the game and that female space is huge. I’d like to see my daughter, who turns 10 this year, come through and have all these opportunities to play.
“To be honest I’m just taking that professional-player mindset. I will say coaching is really different but I can now see both sides – from the player’s point of view and a coach.
“I actually thought the Sharks would give me a girls age development side first-up.
“But these 18 and 19-year-olds are at the stage where they’re asking more questions and want to learn and understand more and more because their next step is Harvey Norman (NSW Premiership) and the NRLW.
“I want to help them with that.”