Rugby League: 'Chief' has hopes for big future

By Peter Jessup

The Warriors have long talked about signing tradesmen who can foot it in the Aussie competition, journeymen who play with consistency, make few mistakes, give 110 per cent.

They signed one yesterday - second rower Tony Tuimavave flagging retirement to go another season at the insistence of coaches Mark Graham and Mike McClennan and because he believes the club is on the verge of better things.

He had intended to quit after the next five games.

Tuimavave is now aged 30, although to most Auckland league followers it probably seems that he has been around so long at Mt Albert and then Northcote that he is more likely to be 130 years old!

But his effort on and off the field is hard to match, the epitome of what the Warriors need in terms of commitment.

"I'm pretty happy about it, happy they want me," Tuimavave said yesterday after accepting terms for 2000. "There's a new administration, new coaches, and a whole new thing in the club. It's really positive. The coaches are inspiring and I just feel like playing more football," he said.

Tuimavave came through the grades at Mt Albert and Auckland and was shown the trade by seniors such as Shane Cooper, Gary Freeman and Ron O'Regan. "They had endless enthusiasm and I just wanted to be like them, to train as hard as I could and be the best I could."

It's the sort of ethic that brings joy to Graham's heart and it was the head coach who pushed him hardest for another season.

Graham's bankable line on "Chief" Tuimavave: "He's the only one who doesn't know he's small."

That was earned because other NRL players will freely admit that they look for the Chief coming at them, that he's one of the hardest hitters.

But this season Tuimavave has taken on another lease of life on attack, producing off-loads and even a chip-through that resulted in a try.

The Chief nickname came after Matai status was handed down from his father following his appearance for Samoa at the 1995 World Cup.

It's not one he trumpets, but it's fair to say his leadership has been critical as the Warriors have turned around their season.

Tuimavave is often the talker among the locals after the Aussies have had their say at training and pre-game sessions. Harden up, play for the 80, no holes in defence, bash them and make them look for you next time is his mantra.

The young Polynesian players, in particular, look up to him and listen. "The esteem in which the other players hold him was a major factor in why we were keen to keep him," said ceo Trevor McKewen.

Tuimavave says he has played all his football in Auckland. "I was rapt when the Warriors came along because it opened the door for the local players. Now it's a matter of the local boys putting their hands up."

So plans for a last stint in England, maybe a trucking business, and plenty of golf so he can build a new nickname - Tiger Tuimavave - have been put on hold.

"The body's holding up well. But mentally, it has to be there or you might as well give up." So he's mentally focused? "Yeah, grand final time."