Storm boy to Cowboy
EDMONTON Storm junior Enari Tuala could finally get his shot at the NRL as the Cowboys sweat on the fitness of several players in preparation for a make-or-break clash with the Sharks.
The Cowboys under-20s centre, who suffered a broken jaw representing the Junior Kangaroos in May, is the only extra outside back in Paul Green’s 21-man squad for the Round 24 encounter after playing his way into career-best form since his return to the field.
Tuala, who has been signed to the club’s NRL squad for 2018, looms as a wing or centre option should Lachlan Coote, Michael Morgan or Te Maire Martin fail to prove their fitness this week.
The 18-year-old first started to realise his potential under his former Storm junior coach Tony Downes, who is among the chorus of Far North footy fans eager for Tuala to get
his chance.
“I grabbed my tickets today. I’ll finish work and on Saturday I’ll go down I’m that confident,” Tony Downes said expecting his former Storm charge to get a run.
“It’s really exciting for him. But he’ll just take it in his step. He was just meant to play footy.”
Tuala beat Cowboys-contracted Northern Pride regulars Gideon Gela-Mosby and Marcus Jensen to earn a place in even the extended squad.
But the strike centre has returned to the form that gained him a spot in the Cowboys’ 21man squad back in Round 7 before breaking his jaw during the under-20s Test.
Downes said he was not surprised Tuala had shaken off the disappointment as a seemingly insignificant hurdle, which was proof of his character on top of his talent.
“Two games back and he got player of the round for the under-20s, you know what I mean?” he said.
“He’s always been a good kid, never been a bully ... he’s very humble and he’s just very quiet.”
If he gets his chance, Downes said fans should look forward to a show of outstanding strength beyond his years, which has left countless players in his wake in under-20s.
“He’s got a good palm, great defence, but the best thing about him is he’s just such a team player,” he said.