-
Clinton Toopi of the Titans - Source: Getty Images -
Related
It's a dream come true but one that Clinton Toopi doubted would ever turn into reality.
When he scanned the NRL fixture list after joining the Gold Coast Titans on a one-season deal, Sunday's round 21 trip to Mt Smart Stadium took precedence over all other away trips.
The former Kiwis and Warriors centre was enthusiastic about returning to Auckland and the club he represented 129 times, but since the season began life has hardly been paradise at Surfers.
The 30-year-old accepted he was signed primarily as a mentor for the Titans' young Polynesian and indigenous players, and a stop gap option in first grade.
An injury to Mat Rogers enabled Toopi to play in the NRL for the first time since 2006 in round seven, and he scored three tries in five games before the former dual international returned.
Toopi had his own calf problem to address but homesickness was his biggest bugbear and prompted a leave request to visit his wife and daughters in Whakatane.
Back in the Bay of Plenty for 10 days, Toopi wondered if he wanted to leave the girls again.
"I went through a stage where I was wondering whether I wanted to keep playing," he said.
"I was fortunate to get some time off and go back and see the wife and kids, a chance to think things over in front of each other instead of over the phone."
Titans coach John Cartwright understood if Toopi didn't board the return flight, but after a heart-to-heart with wife Turenga he decided to see out the year to repay the club's faith in him.
Toopi returned to the Queensland Cup for the Burleigh Bears and when the Titans experienced another injury crisis he was back in the top team for last Friday's unexpected golden point win at leaders St George-Illawarra.
The win could be season-defining for the Titans after three losses, and career-enhancing for Toopi, who put in a solid performance despite limited preparation.
He is yet to start negotiations with Cartwright and Titans chief executive Michael Searle, but given his cheap price tag and Rogers' potential departure, a new deal may be possible for 2012 even if the club snares Melbourne Storm super star centre Greg Inglis.
Whatever happens, Toopi wants to make the most of his return to the club he made his name as an instinctive ball player.
"I targeted that one and when I was injured I thought, well if ever there's a goal to get back into the NRL, it's the Warriors at home," he said.
"I was lucky to get a game under my belt for Burleigh and then St George."
Toopi was named in the starting line-up on Tuesday and hopes the girls can make the journey north to see Dad in the flesh.
"My daughters haven't seen me in the Titans colours yet out on the field. It would be a blessing if they made it."
It will be an emotional occasion regardless.
"When I left, I felt I'd never ever want to play against them so to come back again, it's going to be huge."
Lance Hohaia, Micheal Luck, Simon Mannering and Manu Vatuvei remain in the Warriors' starting line-up from his playing days. Jerome Ropati is out injured, not that Toopi's defensive task is made any easier.
"I'll be defending Manu's side, the bloody beast," he smiled.
"I'll have to be on my guard. We'll be doing our best to shut him down and not give him too much time to get those big legs pumping."
Toopi has kept tabs on the Warriors since he left for the English Super League, and admits they aren't always as easy on the eye as when he ran amok with the likes of Ali Lauitiiti, Sione Faumunia, Francis Meli and Stacey Jones.
"Ivan Cleary (coach) has brought his sort of style and to be honest I didn't really agree with it," he said.
"He dampened the flair a bit and stopped them playing their natural game, but he's persisted with his formula and it's paying dividends for them."
