NRL: Tuimavave's future lies elsewhere

Carlos Tuimavave. Photo / Greg Bowker

Carlos Tuimavave is set to leave the Warriors at the end of this season.

Once seen as one of the most promising juniors at the club, Tuimavave has been unable to secure a regular first grade spot.

He made his debut towards the end of 2012 but has made just eight appearances since then, and has played only one match this season.

The 22-year-old has attracted interest from several NRL clubs, with Newcastle the most likely suitors.

Tuimavave was a standout player at NYC level, one of the main playmakers for John Ackland's team that won the 2010 and 2011 Toyota Cup titles. He was man of the match in the 2010 NYC grand final and made the NYC team of the year the following season. But he has struggled with the step up to first grade. It hasn't helped that he has been used as a utility player, rather than in the halves.

In his nine NRL matches he has played three times at fullback, four in the centres and twice off the interchange bench.

He has been, perhaps unfairly, hyped up and former coach Matt Elliott made unhelpful comparisons with Canberra legend Laurie Daley. "I'm a massive Carlos Tuimavave fan," Elliott said." I think he's a first-grader. I see his progression, and I am not getting carried away with similarities, but a bit like Laurie Daley."

After impressive form in the trial win over the Brisbane Broncos in Dunedin, Tuimavave started the first game of the season against the Eels. Like most of the team, he had a disappointing night and hasn't been sighted at first grade level since.