A player who last wore the Cowboys’ jersey in 2015 could be a shock contender for a spot in Todd Payten’s team this season.
Veteran halfback Robert Lui has returned to North Queensland, signing with the Cowboys’ feeder team the Blackhawks.
Townsville-born Lui began his career with the Wests Tigers way back in 2009 – ironically alongside Payten.
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He has played over 200 games for the Tigers, Cowboys, Salford and Leeds in England but is still only 31 years old.
A far better player than when he headed to England in 2016, he could prove a handy back-up for another veteran, new signing Chad Townsend, this season.
Former Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens, who handed Lui his NRL debut and also took him to England, believes the long-serving half could be an asset to the Cowboys.
“He is a smart player and gained a lot of confidence in Super League – he could be a surprise packet,” Sheens said.
Former Dragon could be heading home
Another Aussie halfback could be on the way back from the UK as well.
Former Dragon Jai Field had a nightmare first year at Wigan, missing half the season with leg injuries.
He tore his hamstring so badly on his club debut that it required surgery and he then did his groin upon his return.
Field is a class playmaker when fit and better than several number sevens running around in the NRL next season.
Dragons fans weren’t happy when he left the club, with many believing him to be the answer to their halfback problems.
Don’t be surprised if the 24-year-old gets approached to make a return down under in coming months for 2023.
Warriors lock up boom rookies
The Warriors have often been criticised for letting their best young players leave for Australian clubs – so fans will be relieved to know they have signed two of the best youngsters in the country to long term-deals – at 15 years of age!
Halfback Asher Norman-Te Pou is the first – a player who has been earmarked as the long-term successor to Shaun Johnson.
The kid has already played for NZ Maori and has been turning plenty of heads for Auckland’s Marist Saints.
A jockey-sized 76 kilos, Pou plays well above his weight and is already showing all the skills.
The other one is Manurewa Marlins winger/centre Antonio Ulugia.
The nephew of All Black 7s sensation Kitiona Vai, Ulugia has pace to burn and has the size to bulldoze opponents.
Both are expected to play in the Warriors’ Harold Matts team next year and their progress will be closely monitored.
Leilua saga drags on
At this stage Luciano Leilua looks like staying at the Tigers for 2022 despite wanting out to join the Cowboys early – but watch this space.
The two clubs are talking regularly – and don’t forget Cowboys coach Todd Payten was a member of Tim Sheens’ “miracle” Tigers’ premiership-winning team of 2005 so the pair are great mates.
The Tigers are open to a player swap and named three young Cowboys forwards who they would happily swap for the enigmatic Leilua.
But the reply from the Cowboys came back as follow:
“NO
NO
and NO”.
The clubs are continuing to work to try finding a solution, with the Tigers knowing deep down that there is little point keeping the big forward if he doesn’t want to be there.
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