NORTH Queensland Cowboys centre Willie Tonga is nursing physical and emotional pain as he confronts what could be the defining fortnight of his NRL season.
The 28-year-old Test star is battling a rib injury, courtesy of a dangerous knee lift by veteran Newcastle Knights centre Adam MacDougall, and is in danger of missing Saturday night's match against Wests Tigers in Townsville.
Fellow Test star Brent Tate has been named to make his comeback from a knee reconstruction in the same match, giving the Cowboys arguably the best centre pairing in the NRL.
MacDougall has been charged with dangerous contact as a result of the Tonga incident in the 32nd minute of the Cowboys' 22-12 win in Newcastle, but an early guilty plea means MacDougall will not miss a game.
"I'm not sure whether it's rib cartilage or bruising, but he (MacDougall) definitely got me," Tonga said yesterday.
"I probably got two hours sleep last night."
There are more sleepless nights ahead for Tonga as he wrestles with his future, with the Cowboys effectively resigned to losing him to Parramatta next season because he is unhappy living in Townsville.
The Cowboys also appear no closer to re-signing fullback Matt Bowen, who took over the playmaking role from sidelined halfback Johnathan Thurston in Newcastle.
"Whether I move on or stay will be decided in the next couple of weeks," said Tonga, who is under contract to the Cowboys until the end of 2012. "I couldn't be happier with the club. They've been great to me.
"They gave me a lifeline when I was in the wilderness at the Bulldogs. I came up here and played for Australia and Queensland again, which was my ultimate goal.
"I'm not missing Sydney at all. I don't know how to explain it (his failure to settle in Townsville). But I think maybe a change might be good for me.
"The boys are great. The club is great. That's what gets me through each day when I'm living in Townsville.
"I want to make it clear there has been no falling out with any of the coaching staff or players. (Coach) Neil Henry has been a real big help with my footy and bringing me along as a person.
"I'm certainly a different person to what I was three years ago at the Bulldogs."
While Tonga says he is not missing Sydney, it seems Townsville is a little quiet for his liking.
Tonga's younger brother, Esi, has signed with Parramatta for 2012 and Willie's close friend from the Bulldogs days, Reni Maitua, is also contracted to the Eels.
