KEY POINTS:
Cooper Vuna hopes to prove a point to the New Zealand Warriors and the Kiwis selectors when he makes a National Rugby League (NRL) return to Auckland tomorrow.
Vuna, 20, will play at his old home ground for a second time since he was cut loose by the
Warriors last May then snapped up by the Newcastle Knights.
Last time was a forgettable trip when the Knights were hammered 52-10 by the Warriors in round 20 last July.
Things are much rosier this year for Vuna and coach Brian Smith's rejuvenated Knights, who toppled Canberra and Manly at home before an agonising golden-point loss at Parramatta last weekend.
Vuna still hurts from his Warriors axing and says his opposite, Patrick Ah Van, could feel the backlash at Mt Smart Stadium.
"He [Ah Van] was one of the guys I was competing with when I left the Warriors," Vuna told the Newcastle Herald yesterday.
"It was either me or him that was going to be there.
"They chose him and I had to make the move ... I've done my homework on him and Manly scored a couple of tries down his side [during their 6-52 hammering on Monday].
"He's opposite me, so hopefully I'm going to get some opportunities down his side."
Auckland-born Vuna has scored nine tries from 14 NRL matches for the Knights, including two from three matches this season.
His form will have been noted by the Kiwis selectors who named him in their train-on squad last September but overlooked him for the disastrous tour of Britain and France.
Vuna admitted he was torn between aiming for the Kiwis in World Cup year, or switching allegiance to his native Tonga.
"I was born in New Zealand, but me and Dad have been talking about me playing for Tonga.
"I'd love to play for New Zealand but it would be a great thing to play for Tonga, because that's my culture.
"I've got so many Tongan friends who want me to play for Tonga.
"I haven't made up my mind. I suppose it depends who asks me first."
There could be financial rewards if new Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney comes calling.
Vuna is mulling over an offer of a two-year contract extension by the Knights, which includes an incentive clause relating to international football, whereby Vuna would earn a financial upgrade if he breaks into the Kiwis.
"I've spoken to my agent today and I'm pretty happy with everything," Vuna said. "I'm still young and I can't be chasing money at the moment.
"I came here to make a profile and Brian Smith gave me the chance to do that in Newcastle."
The Knights fly to Auckland today with an 18-man squad including veteran Adam MacDougall, who has missed two games with a knee injury.
- NZPA