Pulu’s long road home

TWELVE years after leaving New Zealand, Leivaha Pulu is finally set to realise his dream of playing for the Warriors.

And the 27-year-old backrower’s long, challenging journey has him well placed to make an immediate impact at his new club.

‘‘I never thought I’d be here and sometimes I still pinch myself,’’ Pulu, who left the Titans to take up a three-year contract at Mt Smart, told Stuff. ‘‘Every New Zealander who comes out of Auckland, you want to play for the Warriors but my road went elsewhere before I could come back.’’

Nothing has come easy for Pulu. His story is one of tremendous perseverance.

At just 16, Pulu left Auckland for the Gold Coast to join renowned rugby league nursery Keebra Park High School.

Like many Keebra Park graduates, he was picked up by the Wests Tigers. But after two years playing in the under-20s, his career stalled.

A stint in France followed before Pulu returned to Australia, toiling away in the NSW Cup with the Wyong Roos.

When a six-week training deal with the Roosters in late 2014 failed to result in anything permanent, the NRL looked out of reach. But his persistence was eventually rewarded a year later when the Titans came calling.

Pulu made his first grade debut in round one of the 2016 season aged 25 – a rarity in this day.

Many players would have pulled the pin well before then but Pulu credits his faith and the support of his wife for keeping his dream alive.

‘‘There’s so many times when life gets hard and you just want to chuck in the towel but I had a good stable support group with me and that helped me throughout my hard times.

‘‘It may not work in one place but at the end of the day if you keep striving the tide will turn.

‘‘I’ve been blessed and I wouldn’t have it any other way.’’

After such a long time abroad, the chance to reunite with his family played a big part in his decision to come home, particularly his younger brother.

George Pulu has spent the last two years in prison and the Tongan international is determined to help him get back on track when he is eventually released.

‘‘I just want to be able to support him. I left at a young age and he didn’t have that guidance at the time,’’ Pulu said.

‘‘It’s going to be hard but I want to break the cycle and keep encouraging him to keep ticking along and that everything will be all right.’’

Pulu says rugby league could play a role helping his brother readjust to life on the outside.

‘‘He wants to come out and