Gold Coast forward David Fifita has backflipped on his decision to join the Roosters on a four-year deal to remain at the Titans in a stunning development in the race for the services of the Maroons star.

The Titans released a statement early on Wednesday to say they had approved his request to activate his player option for the next two seasons. The Roosters subsequently issued a statement of their own to say they had “withdrawn their offer to David Fifita”.

Fifita had informed the club last week that he would be heading to the Roosters next year after deciding to exercise the get-out clauses in his contract related to former coach Justin Holbrook, who is now an assistant at the Tricolours.

He had spoken with Roosters chairman Nick Politis about his move, rejecting a similar offer from premiers Penrith.

“Despite his management making the initial approach to the club and Fifita personally informing the Sydney Roosters’ chairman and head coach of his intent to join the club last Thursday, Fifita has since expressed doubt about his decision,” the Roosters statement said.

“Consequently, the club has elected to withdraw its offer with view that it is in the Roosters’ best interests. The club wishes Fifita all the best.”

Questions were raised when news broke of Fifita opting to take up a deal worth $850,000 per year at the Roosters when he was already guaranteed a reported $1 million annually at the Titans over the next two seasons.

Fifita will now stick with the original deal he had in place with the Gold Coast and remain part of Des Hasler’s squad until the end of 2026.

“I’m extremely grateful for the time and interest shown in me over the past two weeks, but upon further reflection, I have made the decision that I want to remain a Titan beyond 2024,” Fifita said in the Titans statement.

“I’m excited about the direction the team is taking and being close to home, and my family has been central to helping me make this decision.”

The dramatic turn of events will have ramifications for the Roosters who had reportedly told Sitili Tupouniua he was free to get an early release from his contract next year while fellow second-rower Angus Crichton is off contract and already had his nose out of joint about Fifita’s impending arrival.

Crichton had said he is not interested in playing second-fiddle to Fifita.

He has long been linked with a move back to his boyhood game rugby union, though Penrith have more recently emerged as a suitor within the NRL after their failed bid to secure Fifita.

Crichton is considered a strong chance for a NSW State of Origin recall this season amid his resurgent form.

The 28-year-old made the most recent of his 11 Blues appearances in 2022, but has emerged as a viable option for the Blues given Cam Murray’s hip injury.

His ability to play on either edge or in the middle from the bench looms as an enticing prospect as well.

with AAP