Cronulla star Andrew Fifita has apologised to the club for his post-try outburst on Saturday, captain Paul Gallen has revealed.
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Fifita is believed to have fronted the Sharks' coaching staff after gesticulating towards assistant coach Jim Dymock following a crucial try in Saturday's win over North Queensland.
Gallen believes the ends justified the means.
"To be fair, if that's the result, if what Jimmy says to him provokes that sort of performance, I'm happy to sit back and let Jimmy do it," Gallen said on the Nine Network's 100% Footy show.
"Because Andrew Fifita in his first stint on the weekend was not the Andrew Fifita we need him to be. He wasn't laying the lines we need him to, he wasn't running as hard as he needs to be."
Gallen said Fifita was a different player after Dymock's spray.
"He came back on and ran over the top of four blokes, got the next kickoff, ran over the top of another four blokes, and absolutely killed it and did exactly what we need him to be," he said.
"So if it's going to provoke him to do that, I've got no problem with it."
Gallen admitted Fifita had "probably" stepped over the line with his reaction, but said the playing group had grown accustomed to his outbursts.
"We know there comes a bit of baggage with Andrew. We know he's not going to be a road scholar and do everything," he said.
"Andrew was in there (on Monday) and apologised to the club. He know he did the wrong thing and hopefully it won't happen again in the future."
Gallen also confirmed Fifita, a former NSW State of Origin representative, had been battling a knee issue in recent weeks and would benefit from a rest.
However, with the finals just two weeks away and the Sharks in the chase for a top four spot, it would be unlikely to happen.
"He's struggling with a knee (injury) at the moment. He is, if possible, looking for a week off. But his knee's not that bad to rest him," he said.
Australian Associated Press