WARRIOR WANTED

COWBOYS coach Paul Green has confirmed the club is chasing young New Zealand Warriors playmaker Tui Lolohea, who could arrive in Townsville before the June 30 transfer deadline.

Lolohea has not played first grade for the Warriors since March, but Green has thrown his hat in the ring for Lolohea along with at least three other NRL clubs, including the Wests Tigers.

Lolohea’s mid- season recruitment could help cover the loss of injured cocaptain Johnathon Thurston, who could be out for up to six weeks, and the deal offered is believed to be for two and a half years.

“He’s a talented kid and anyone that comes on to the market that’s a good player, we’ll be interested,” Green said.

“There’s a number of other clubs interested in him also, so we’ll see where that ends.

“At this stage I’m probably more focused on the Bulldogs.

“We’re a bit limited on the budget point of view, so we’ll see where it goes.”

Green appears unconcerned by Lolohea’s limited time in first grade this season, with the former under- 20s star falling down the Warriors’ pecking order.

He played in the Warriors first four games of the season, the first two at wing, one at fullback and his latest in Round 4 at five- eighth, but now finds himself behind Ata Hingano and Mason Lino as preferred halves if Kieran Foran or Shaun Johnson are unavailable.

Even rookie Charnze Nicoll- Klokstad got a nod on the wing ahead of Lolohea, while five players including Blake Ayshford appear ahead of him as backline options.

It was his relegation to reserves that has forced Lolohea – a 52- game NRL player – to look elsewhere.

“It’s not really for me to say what happens internally at clubs,” Green said.

“From the outside looking in you're not really sure exactly what’s going on, so I’m sure there’s reasons why he’s not in the team. “That’s for them to work out.” Green has first- hand knowledge of Lolohea’s talents, having coached against him while coach of the Sydney Roosters under- 20s team. Lolohea was the Warriors’ 2013 under- 20s player of the year and is also a Junior Kiwi representative.

“He was playing fullback then for the Warriors, so as I’ve said he’s a good player and he would add strike to us,” Green said.

“If it works out have him here.”

Warriors officials have told New Zealand media that Lolohea is set to leave Auckland sooner rather than later.

“He’s been given permission to look around,” Warriors head of recruitment Tony Iro said.

“We are waiting to hear back from his agent about what he wants to do and then we will discuss things from there.

“There are a few things to weigh up.” we’ll be happy to