NRL: Fisiiahi turning heads at Warriors

Glen Fisiiahi says he'll need to outperform his rivals for the wing. Photo / Richard Robinson

He began the pre-season as the outsider for the right wing spot but the odds of emerging star Glen Fisiiahi making an an early splash in the NRL have shortened considerably.

The star fullback from last season's champion under-20 team, Fisiiahi has been a standout on the wing in the two Warriors trials to date, scoring two tries against Newcastle in Greymouth and another brace against the Eels in Rotorua last Saturday.

That was certainly enough to alert the league media that a new star may be on the rise.

Fisiiahi was the most in-demand Warrior at Tuesday's Eden Park press call, chalking up at least five TV, radio and print interviews. Not bad for a 20-year-old who is yet to play one minute in the NRL.

"It's something different," he said of the media demands. "I guess different is good. I just can't let this get in the way of me playing. I know it won't. It will be sweet."

So far at least, his transition into the NRL squad has been sweet, all right. He has looked instantly at home. NRL players have coped no better with his searing pace than the juniors he left in his wake last year.

Crucially, he is also coping with the increased physical demands. Getting bigger himself has been key to footing it with the big boys. Having weighed in at 86kg last season, Fisiiahi has packed on 4kg of muscle over the off season to now tip the scales at 90kg.

But his plans to keep going and bulk up to 95kg have hit a road block in the form of the club's training staff.

"They gave me the big 'no'. They are quite happy with my weight right now. The danger of putting more weight on is losing my speed."

As good as he has been, Fisiiahi has stern competition for the right wing spot. A fitter, stronger-looking Kevin Locke has also impressed coach Ivan Cleary, and new signing Krisnan Inu is also certain to be in the mix.

Fisiiahi and Locke are also shaping as strong back-up options to fullback Lance Hohaia, who is yet to feature in pre-season thanks to last year's heavy workload and will again sit out today's match against Burleigh Bears in Whangarei.

Cleary wouldn't be drawn on his plans for Fisiiahi, but he did confirm a player who may just prove an ace up his sleeve would almost certainly be seen in the NRL at some stage this season.

"Yeah, I think we will, if he continues the way he is going," Cleary said. "When that is I don't know but he is doing everything right."

The fact that he has the opportunity to force Cleary's hand sooner rather than later isn't lost on Fisiiahi. He knows full well a spot is up for grabs, and has a plan for winning the race against Locke and Inu to snare it.

"I guess I've just got to train harder than them, play harder than them and play smarter."

The Warriors have denied making a huge offer for Souths hooker Issac Luke. The Kiwis star is off contract at the end of this season and his agent Gavin Orr has told Rugby League Week magazine he has already received bids from the Warriors and Eels.

But Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah denied that was the case. "No we haven't," Scurrah said. "But we are aware he is off contract."