Wakefield Trinity told Fifita will return despite trauma

Fifita, who is in Australia on his off-season break, joined Wakefield from Cronulla Sharks midway through 2016 and signed a new two-year contract last May.

His wife Jade Robinson was this week handed an eight-month jail term after pleading guilty to fraudulently claiming 48,500 Australian dollars (£27,000) in single-parent payments.

The sentencing magistrate adjourned the matter until late January so Robinson can be assessed for home detention, which would mean she avoids jail time.

In a statement issued last night, Trinity chairman Michael Carter said they were doing all they could to support the player.

Carter said: “Having spoken with David and coach Chris (Chester) we have decided to allow David to remain in Australia until Christmas to provide the support his family needs.

“David will continue his pre-season in Australia and will return to the UK between Christmas and New Year to prepare for a big season coming up in 2018.”

Meanwhile, Trinity are closing in on former Parramatta Eels and Newcastle Knights prop or second-row Pauli Pauli.

The 23-year-old, who missed much of the 2017 season through injury, is understood to have agreed to join Wakefield and a deal could be completed within a week.

Australia legend Wally Lewis, who played 10 games for Wakefield in 1983, will be back in Yorkshire next month.

The ex-Test and State of Origin stand-off, rated one of rugby league’s greatest-ever players, will appear in ‘A Christmas evening with the King’ at three venues across the county. Lewis, 57, will discuss his illustrious career when he speaks in Doncaster, Wakefield and Keighley.

Lewis will appear at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium (Thursday, December 7), Ossett Town Hall (Friday, December 8) and Victoria Hall, Keighley (Sunday, December 10). Tickets start at £25. Contact mjksportsevents.co.uk/rmsportsevents.co.uk or ring 07414 960956.