Long term maybe but probably stay at Titans?
THE Warriors have launched a bid to lure emerging Gold Coast Titans forward Leivaha Pulu back to New Zealand.
Pulu will give Warriors coach Stephen Kearney a close look at what he is chasing when the Gold Coast tackle New Zealand in a trial in Palmerston North on Sunday.
Kearney has already made his mark on the Warriors, installing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck as captain and poaching Storm star Tohu Harris from 2018.
Kearney now wants to add Pulu to his stable.
The 26-year-old forward was one of coach Neil Henry’s “moneyball” discoveries in 2016, playing 23 NRL games for the Titans in his debut season.
Pulu ripped in during the pre-season and has been one of Gold Coast’s standout forwards leading into 2017.
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“I’ve been blessed,” Pulu said.
“The lord above has blessed me with an injury-free pre-season.
“It’s been tough. It’s been hot.
“It (2016) was a good learning curve for myself, especially being my first year.
“There is things I need to work on so I can take it into this year.
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“I’m more confident this year with a few games under my belt.
“It’s been really enjoyable (being on the Gold Coast.) I can’t ask for anything more.
“The Titans are on the way up. I’m very thankful to the Titans.”
The Titans have high hopes for Pulu in 2017, given he came to the club without ever having played an NRL game.
With two full pre-seasons under his belt he is in the best shape of his career and will provide crucial impact, much like the “Tongan Torpedo” Agnatius Paasi in the early stages of 2016.
If Pulu plays to his potential this season the suitors will be lining up and his manager confirmed the Warriors were among a host of clubs registering interest in the towering forward.
“There is certainly a number of clubs knocking on the door for young Vaha. It’s not just the Warriors,” Amon Ta’akimoeaka said.
“We haven’t spoken about any other clubs at the moment.
“He is pretty well stable at the Titans and is loving every moment of it.
“He has his family there and just started to settle down. He would love to see the Titans come through and keep him there.
“We’re hoping they will come to the table.”
Pulu will start in the back-row for the Titans on Sunday in place of Zeb Taia, who is finalising a release to join English club St Helens for the next three seasons.
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