‘Deserves his spot’: Murray defends teammate over ‘lazy’ reputation

Cameron Murray is unsure why critics questioned David Fifita’s work ethic in the past, throwing support behind his Rabbitohs teammate’s Kangaroos selection.

Over the course of his career, Fifita has at times been labelled as “lazy” for his work on the field, but the hulking back-rower is slowly puting that to bed.

Since joining South Sydney this year, Fifita has returned to the form that saw him catch the attention of all as a teenager when he debuted with the Broncos.

Fifita averaged 73 minutes per game in his 17 appearances this season, playing the full 80 minutes in 11 of those matches and with six tries to his name and an 87 per cent tackle efficiency, Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters refused to overlook him.

Murray was elated to see his club teammate join him for the World Cup and was quick to defend Fifita from any of the long-standing criticism.

“He is up there with some of the most professional (talents) I’ve ever worked with,” Murray told reporters on Sunday.

“I wouldn’t say he surprised me, but some of the reports that were out there before he came (to South Sydney), I have not seen any evidence of laziness.

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“It’s no accident that he has found himself here. It’s because of his commitment when nobody is watching since he got down here to Sydney.

“He thoroughly deserves his spot in this team.”

Murray could not hide his own joy to be back in the green and gold jersey after missing last year’s Ashes tour due to an Achilles injury.

The workhorse Rabbitohs captain returned towards the end of 2025 but eventually decided to take himself out of contention to face England.

“I took the year off last year and I was a bit jealous of what they did overseas,” he said, reflecting on missing the last season due to injury.

“I love being part of it and love representing who I am, where I’m from, my family and everything about Australia. I’m really happy to be back.”