David Fifita reunites with Wayne Bennett at South Sydney Rabbitohs, ending five-season stint at Gold Coast Titans
David Fifita’s move to South Sydney is complete with the Rabbitohs announcing the Gold Coast star’s imminent arrival for 2026 and 2027.
Fifita was officially released by the Titans on Tuesday, bringing to an end his dramatic five-year stint with the club.
That has paved the way for his arrival at the Rabbitohs for the start of pre-season next month, where he will be reunited with coach Wayne Bennett.
One of the most destructive players in the competition when at his best, Fifita managed only eight NRL games in the 2025 season.
Fifita will be reunited with his old Broncos coach Wayne Bennett at the Rabbitohs. (Getty Images: Scott Gardiner)
The 25-year-old has long toyed with the idea of heading south, after opting out of a deal with the Sydney Roosters last year.
The Titans are expected to chip in part of Fifita’s salary at the Rabbitohs, with a roster clean out continuing under new coach Josh Hannay.
“The club wants to see David happy and playing football and a new opportunity will give him a chance to do that,” Hannay said.
“The entire club wish him well moving forward.”
David Fifita made 90 appearances for the Gold Coast Titans between 2021 and 2025, scoring 37 tries. (AAP: Jason O’Brien)
Signed to Gold Coast on a lucrative deal for 2021, Fifita played 90 games for the club in a stint often clouded by questions over his future.
He came off the bench in six of his eight games this year, and was at one stage dropped back to Queensland Cup before requiring ankle surgery.
He briefly returned to the NRL, before needing further surgery.
It was Bennett who debuted Fifita as a teenager at Brisbane in 2018, before the pair found themselves at different clubs over the past seven seasons.
When asked about the prospect of signing Fifita earlier this year, Bennett labelled him a “rare talent” who the game “hadn’t seen the best of” yet.
Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds this week backed Bennett to be the man to help Fifita reach his best.
“Wayne is a magnificent coach who gets people and he understands the person before the athlete,” Reynolds said on Tuesday night.
“I’m sure it’s a great signing for the club.
“He is a damaging ball runner, such a big figure and he would be great for their halves and their team.”
AAP
