Step up deserved for Tuala, Clifford
CLASSY under- 20s centre Enari Tuala will graduate to North Queensland’s NRL squad from next year after agreeing to a two- year deal with the club.
Cairns product Tuala, 18, follows current Cowboys NYC teammate Jake Clifford into the club’s main squad from next season in a nice boost for the pair ahead of their clash with the Sharks tonight.
Under- 20s coach Aaron Payne said Cowboys head coach Paul Green was getting two very talented young men with bright futures in Tuala and Clifford.
“It’s always pleasing to see your players perform well enough to earn an NRL contract,” Payne said.
“In these two cases, we’ve brought two North Queensland products into our system, guided them, developed their talent and now they’ve earned NRL contracts.
“Both young men have a journey ahead of them and they’ll be looking to repay that faith shown in them by the club with continued strong performances for the remainder of the 2017 NYC season.”
Tuala and Clifford headline a strong Cowboys team travelling to Cronulla take on the second- placed Sharks, with Payne’s men keen to arrest a worrying three- game losing streak that has seen them drop to fifth on the ladder.
The Sharks haven’t dropped a match since Round 4, which was also the only time they have scored less than 30 points this season.