League: Young gun set to fire for Warriors

Junior Kiwis 2013 representative Tuimoala Lolohea was last year named the Warriors Young Player of the Year. Photo / Getty Images

After knocking on the door of first grade selection all season, Warriors young gun Tuimoala Lolohea finally made his debut off the bench in last weekend's defeat to Manly and is set to play a bigger role in tomorrow's away clash against the Canberra Raiders.

With halfback Shaun Johnson missing a second consecutive match after breaking down at Thursday's team run with a nagging groin injury, Lolohea is expected to get more game time as an impact player, with veteran Thomas Leuluai again set to start in the No 7 jersey against the Raiders.

The 19-year-old rookie is looking forward to getting another taste of the big time but admitted his shock elevation saw him battling a case of the jitters in the lead-up to his first on-field stint against the Sea Eagles.

Watch: Tuimoala Lolohea - 2013 Highlights

"I'm not too sure what's happening with Shaun at the moment but if I get the opportunity I'm willing to take it with two hands," Lolohea explained after Thursday's session. "It was good to get out there for my first game last weekend. I played 20 minutes and it's 20 minutes I'll never forget. I didn't know I was playing first grade until the day before the game.

"I was 50-50 so my preparation was the same but playing in the NRL is different if you're playing your first game. When I was sitting on the bench I was quite nervous. I kept getting up but as soon as I got on I got into the game which was a good thing."

The Kelston Boys' High School product is comfortable playing at five-eighth or fullback, with his silky skills, speed and ability to step off either foot complimented by a solid physique that allows him to threaten the line and break tackles.

A 2013 Junior Kiwis representative, Lolohea set last year's NYC competition alight with 22 tries in 28 games to see him named the Warriors Young Player of the Year.

His rapid rise saw him included in the club's Auckland Nines squad and retained for trial outings against the Gold Coast and Brisbane, scoring two tries against the Titans. The club are well aware of his long-term potential as a halves partner to Johnson, and earlier this year locked him in with a contract extension to the end of 2017.

Despite his tender years, Leuluai has no doubts Lolohea is ready for first grade, describing him as a confident kid who is not afraid to push the boundaries with his more experienced teammates.

"He's pretty cheeky which gets him into trouble sometimes with some of the older boys but he can handle himself. I think that's why Cappy [coach Andrew McFadden] put him in. He's a pretty confident guy, backs his ability and he's going to need to do that for us this week.

"He was solid [against Manly]. He ... didn't get many chances but if he does get those chances he'll definitely take them. In broken play he's pretty special," Leuluai said.

Kiwi-born with Tongan heritage, Lolohea settled in among the club's strong Pacific contingent and has good relationships with the senior players throughout the backline.

Keeping him grounded is the unwavering support of his father, who is also his harshest critic.

" I only had my father around after my mother passed away when I was just 1 year old. He sacrificed a lot in his life and it hasn't been easy for him.

"He supports me and tells me what I need to work on because he's the person who tells me my negatives," Lolohea said.

Tuimoala Lolohea

Born: January 23, 1995
Height: 177cm
Weight: 89kg
Position: Five-eighth or fullback
Rep honours: Junior Kiwis 2013, NZ Residents 18s 2012-13
Junior club: Marist Saints
NYC career: 28 appearances for Junior Warriors (2013)
NYC points: 134 (22 tries, 23 goals)
Secondary school: Kelston Boys' High School