Titans offer ex-Kiwi international a lifeline
Luke Turgeon | November 14th, 2009
FORMER Kiwi international Clinton Toopi will attempt to resurrect his career at the Gold Coast Titans.
Toopi has agreed to join the Gold Coast over the pre-season on a train and trial basis, with the club hopeful of rewarding the 29-year-old with a 12-month incentive-based deal.
"Toopi is an experienced player and I know he is keen to come back to rugby league and get a chance in the NRL," said Titans managing director Michael Searle.
The veteran centre last played in the NRL with the Warriors in 2006 before heading to England for a successful Super League stint with the Leeds Rhinos.
But Toopi's time with the Rhinos was cut short due to injury, undergoing both shoulder and knee reconstructions last year.
Toopi played 129 games for the Warriors, including the 2002 grand final, and represented New Zealand 22 times between 2001-2007.
He recently underwent further minor knee surgery in New Zealand and will arrive on the Gold Coast on January 4.
Toopi's recruitment is seen as a move by the Titans to add depth and experience to their rookie outside back stocks, following the departure of experienced campaigner Chris Walker and back-up options Ben Jeffery, Brenton Bowen and Smith Samau.
The Titans will boast arguably the most exciting young backline in the NRL in 2010, with the likes of Kevin Gordon, David Mead, Esi Tonga and Joseph Tomane poised to dominate out wide.
"He will be good to have in case we strike some injuries out on the edges," said Searle.
"He is big, he is good under the high ball and he is aggressive.
"He is also somebody that could potentially mentor a few of our younger guys as well."
It will be an interesting reunion between Toopi and new Titans teammate Brad Meyers.
Toopi destroyed Meyers' Australian Test debut in 2001, with an elbow to the head making sure 'Big Red' only lasted 17 minutes.
The incident is widely credited with stunting Meyers' Test career.
Toopi joins Tomane, former Raiders utility Marshall Chalk and former Roosters hooker Riley Brown as the new additions for the Titans' 2010 squad.