Kevin Walters says that when David Fifita is smiling then "good things happen" and that is certainly the case ahead of the powerhouse second-rower's debut for Australia.
The 26-year-old's career has got a second wind in 2026 after he regained his mojo at South Sydney under former Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett after a turbulent 2025 when he was hampered by an ankle injury at the Gold Coast.
The death of his father Siaosi Fifita in September last year was a crushing blow.
Walters has always been a fan of Fifita but did not just hand him a Kangaroos jersey for the clash with Fiji on Sunday night at Suncorp Stadium.
Walters has always been loyal to players he rates highly but he said Fifita had earned his Kangaroos callup after previously playing four Tests for Tonga at the 2022 World Cup.
"He's a damaging ball runner but defensively is where Dave has picked up his game, his effort areas and his mentality towards his defence," Walters said.
"He's always carried the ball strongly, but defensively he's made some big improvements, which we'll see (against Fiji)."
Fifita was injured during the State of Origin period this year but Walters was impressed with the way he completed the season on his return.
"I liked the back end of the year that he had for Souths. He's a strike player for us as well, and that's what he's in the team for," Walters said
"He can do things on a field that not many players can do. He's a big lad, very powerful. We're going to need his influence in the next few weeks."
Walters mentored Fifita at the Brisbane Broncos when he was an assistant coach and then gave him a State of Origin debut for Queensland in 2019, sticking with him for all three matches of the series.
In the leadup to the Kangaroos side being selected for this year''s World Cup the coach was vocal about Fifita's great season for the Rabbitohs and how he was right in the mix.
Although Walters did not pick the Australia Prime Minister's XIII that beat Papua New Guinea 60-10 earlier this month, he would have had an influence on the selections.
Fifita was made captain and showed his versatility and team-first mentality by playing centre in an accomplished outing as skipper.
During this week Fifita praised Walters for his man management and caring nature, saying he was "like Wayne Bennett" with the way he coached and interacted with players.
Fifita's mother Gwen presented his Test jersey on Saturday and it moved Walters deeply.
"It was a very emotional speech from his mother in there at the jersey presentation," Walters said.
"He's come a long way, Dave, and had a tough year last year. He lost his father and had a tough year with footy, but he's back now and it's good to see him smiling.
"That's what his mother said as well. When Dave's smiling, good things happen."
