Tui has a point to prove as he makes a return to Rhinos
AS he prepares to make his latest Headingley return, Tui Lolohea admits he still cannot put his finger on why his time at Leeds did not work out as planned.
The Huddersfield Giants full-back joined the Rhinos ahead of the 2019 campaign along with Trent Merrin and Tonga team-mate Konrad Hurrell.
With Dave Furner having been appointed head coach following Brian McDermott’s axing midway through the previous season, Leeds looked set to embark on a bright new era. But Furner was ushered out of Headingley after just 14 games and Lolohea was sent to Salford Red Devils on loan, playing against St Helens in the 2019 Grand Final before joining them permanently.
Lolohea then played for Ian Watson’s side in the 2020 Challenge Cup final defeat to Leeds before being reunited with him at the Giants ahead of the current campaign.
“How would I describe my time at Leeds? Like a rollercoaster, with ups and downs,” Lolohea, who travels with the Claret and Gold to the Rhinos tonight, said.
“We had a decent team on paper but I still can’t answer to this day why it didn’t work out. Are there any lingering regrets? Oh, definitely.
“You always think that you’re going to have the best time of your life. But we were secondbottom and I was thinking ‘oh no, it’s going to be one of those seasons.’
“Then I got to play in a Grand Final for Salford later that year, though, and the Challenge Cup final in 2020, so sometimes that’s how rugby league works.
“Leeds are in a similar position now where they are struggling again, despite having a decent squad on paper.
“But I think their season will turn and they will begin to gel at some point soon with the quality they have. It could be this week against us, but we need to focus on what we do and, if we do prepare well and perform like we know we can, the result will take care of itself.
“I think we’ve got four or five games in 19 days, and I don’t know who has come up with this schedule but it’s pretty crazy.
“Leeds are dangerous, though, and the coach has gone, which is quite sad.
“That happened when I was there when Dave Furner left and Richard Agar came in and turned them around a bit by beating our Salford side in the Challenge Cup final.
“I’m looking forward to playing at Headingley again and hopefully getting a result for the Giants.”
After Lolohea starred as man of the match in last weekend’s Challenge Cup quarter-final home win over Hull FC, Watson reiterated his belief that the Tongan is the best full-back in Super League.
The Auckland-born 27-yearold added: “Obviously there are some quality full-backs going round Super League right now.
“There is Sam Tomkins, Jake Connor, Jack Welsby, Jai Field and Lachlan Coote, who has won Grand Finals at St Helens.
“Each team has a decent fullback and sometimes it can come down to the way your team is performing as well.
“If you look at Hull KR, for example, they have been a bit hot and cold but Coote is a world-class player.
“I think I’m quite lucky in that I’m in a team which is winning at the moment and that is probably helping my performances.
“There are certain things that
positive
I like to pride myself on when I play and maybe that gives me an advantage, I’m not sure.
“I don’t want to get too cocky but I just want to keep building on my performances and adding value to the team.”
Lolohea was brought to Leeds as a stand-off and added: “I’ve played everywhere in the backline during my professional career.
“When I was at Salford, I started to enjoy playing six regularly again but this year I’m playing full-back and enjoying it there too.
“The game these days has changed so a lot of full-backs are full-back/half-backs and you look at guys like Welsby and Field, they have played in both positions.
“I think it’s good to be versatile and we’ve got a good spine at the Giants with Theo Fages, young Olly Russell and Jack Cogger coming back in.
“Then we’ve got young Will Pryce to come back after his ban, so we’ve got some great depth.”