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Home / Sport / League

League: Warriors to sign Titans backrower

Michael Burgess
By Michael Burgess
Senior Sports Journalist·NZ Herald·
27 Apr, 2017 05:00 PM3 mins to read

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Leivaha Pulu is likely to be playing with, rather than against, Shaun Johnson at the Warriors next season. Photo / Photosport

Leivaha Pulu is likely to be playing with, rather than against, Shaun Johnson at the Warriors next season. Photo / Photosport

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The Warriors are close to confirming their second recruit for the 2018 season.

After signing Tohu Harris in February, the Warriors are set to agree terms with Gold Coast back-rower Leivaha Pulu.

The powerful forward has been monitored by several Sydney clubs and the Titans are also believed to be keen to hold on to the 27-year-old, after his impressive displays this season.

But the Warriors are favourites for his signature, and the deal is likely to be wrapped up within the next week.

He's not a big name but it will be a boost to the club - after the loss of Ben Matulino and the probable exit of Kieran Foran - and Pulu will be a welcome addition to the Warriors pack. He has a physical presence that not many forwards at the Auckland club can match.

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Pulu is a late bloomer. He came through the Tigers farm system - a graduate of Keebra Park High School on the Gold Coast - but couldn't crack first grade at the Sydney club.

After a few years in the wilderness, including an off-season in France, he joined the Wyong Roos. He spent three seasons at the New South Wales Central Coast club, culminating in a run to the 2015 NSW Cup final.

Those displays were enough to persuade the Titans to take a chance on the Auckland-born Pulu, and he was signed to a basic contract ahead of the 2016 season.

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Pulu earned a spot in the round one clash against the Knights and has never looked back. He played 23 matches last year.

With the benefit of just his second full NRL pre-season, Pulu has gone to another level in 2017. He has averaged 51 minutes a match (up from 37 minutes last year) and crossed for two tries in the Titans's 16-12 victory over the Sharks last week.

Pulu and his wife were born in New Zealand (he crossed the Tasman when he was 16) and being closer to family is a big appeal of linking with the Warriors.

The Marist junior also harbours hopes of making a run for the Kiwis World Cup squad at the end of this year, although the Tongan side is probably a more realistic option at this stage.

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While Pulu has played only 31 NRL games, his journey and life experience have given him a maturity not always evident in players who have made a similar number of appearances, as well as a genuine hunger to succeed.

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