The 25-year-old second-rower on Monday spoke for the first time about that decision to stay at the Titans until the end of 2026.
Fifita was famously on the cusp of joining the Tricolours last May and had informed Roosters chairman Nick Politis he was coming before deciding to enact a two-year option to remain with Gold Coast.
Minutes before the Gold Coast put out a media release announcing their counter-coup the Roosters put out their own saying the offer had been pulled.
Fifita wears wrist strapping with 'Mum' on one wrist and 'Dad' on the other.
The pull of family was the difference, the 115kg forward said.
"Having my family around - my mum, dad and nan - and being close to them," he said, when asked why he stayed.
"They are getting older and I wanted to be around them and look after them. I'm excited for this year with the squad we have and hopefully we all stay injury-free for the year ahead."
Fifita's partner Shaylee Bent has re-signed with the Titans NRLW side until the end of 2027 and Fifita said she was another reason he did not regret his decision.
"It was massive for her to stay here. She sacrificed a lot for me, she could have gone down to Sydney but I wanted her to stay," he said.
"She cooks for me and does a lot for me. She does all the right things. When I'm down with my injuries, she looks after me."
Fifita is also convinced that the Titans have a side that can deliver a maiden title and he wanted to be a part of it.
"I just believe in the players we have here," Fifita said.
"I have been signed here since 2021. I'm 25 now, so I'm getting older. We have stayed around, this core group, for a while now and hopefully this is the year (we win a title)
"We all come off-contract next year, so this has to be the year.
"I'm excited to have our skipper (Tino Fa'asuamaleaui) back (from injury) and with Regan (Campbell-Gillard) coming back from injury.
"I'm looking forward to running out with the pack we have and our six, seven and one going off the back of them."
"Every time (contract talks) come around, I seem to be front and centre.
"It can be a distraction sometimes, but I have a good partner and my manager and my parents who keep me level-headed. I'm happy here.. I have two more years here and we have to win."
Fifita had ankle surgery in the pre-season and there were concerns he was behind schedule with his rehab pre-Christmas.
He came back in January and put in the hard yards to get himself right to play in two pre-season trials.
"I need to be injury-free and have a good mindset.When I am happy, I am dangerous," he grinned.
Fifita played for Queensland in all three games of the 2023 State of Origin series, won 2-1 by the Maroons, before being left out of the 2024 series altogether.
He knows what he has to do to get back to that arena.
"I have to earn it. I didn't earn it last year so it starts next in two weeks against the Bulldogs. There are good candidates for that back-row role," he said.
21°C