Cowboys young gun ‘ so close’ to NRL call
COWBOYS under- 20s centre Enari Tuala is hopeful that his call- up to the Junior Kangaroos will keep him in the first- grade mix.
Tuala, 18, is camped in Canberra with his new Junior Kangaroos teammates ahead of Saturday’s clash against the Junior Kiwis, and will be counted on to provide the same strike power that has seen him score six tries from seven games in this year’s NYC season. One of the most highly rated young outside backs in the country, Tuala was thrown into first grade contention this year after injury struck North Queensland’s first- grade backline, twice being named in the Cowboys’ extended squad.
He did 10 weeks of pre- season training with the Cowboys’ NRL squad, just a couple of months after graduating from Kirwan State High School, and is now just days away from his first game for Australia.
“It’s been a real surprise, and a bit nerve- racking at times I guess,” said Tuala, who moved to Townsville from Cairns in 2014.
“I’ve played for Queensland before and I loved the experience of being in camp and experiencing another higher level of footy.
“But playing for your country is the ultimate and I guess I can’t really believe I’m here in camp for Australia.”
Tuala was the only Cowboys under- 20s player selected in the Junior Kangaroos and will play opposite clubmates and Junior Kiwi representatives Caleb Fuimaono and Emry Pere.
Tuala has plenty of experience playing on the junior rep stage, having played for Queensland’s under- 16 and under- 18 teams, along with the Queensland Schoolboys under- 18 side.
He began gaining national attention in 2015 as part of Kirwan High’s GIO Schoolboys Cup campaign, playing an integral part in the Townsville team’s national title win.
It has been a tough road in recent times, however, with Tuala’s father Mingo losing his cancer battle last year.
But Tuala has shown unbelievable toughness and resilience to keep working towards NRL.
“I hope it ( NRL) comes soon, it would be amazing to get a call- up,” Tuala said. “When it’s so close it just makes you want to work harder.”
Cowboys recruitment chief Clint Zammit said recently the sky was the limit for Tuala.
“We always knew he’d play NRL at some stage and he has the sort of strength that would allow him to play early,” he said.
“You can’t fault the kid, he’s very mature. He’s a good trainer and he’s got the quality to play NRL.”