Rugby League: Giant NZ winger training with Broncos

SYDNEY - The Brisbane Broncos are grooming a giant New Zealand replacement for code-jumping rugby wingers Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri.

Gary Tupou trained with the Broncos first grade squad for the first time yesterday, indicating a National Rugby League (NRL) debut may not be too far down the track.

Tupou, who at 108kg and 1.95m is bigger than both Sailor and Tuqiri, has been playing for the Toowoomba Clydesdales, the Broncos' feeder club in the Queensland Cup competition.

He approached coach Wayne Bennett for an opportunity when the Broncos were in Auckland last year and he was given a trial contract extending until April 30.

Tupou, a former New Zealand A representative, impressed for the Clydesdales against Brisbane Norths on February 21 but picked up a knee injury when playing for the Broncos in a pre-season trial match against Melbourne soon after.

He made his return from injury last weekend with a damaging display against Ipswich.

"I hope to talk about extending my contract in a couple of weeks," he said.

Meanwhile, the Broncos' major off-season signing Motu Tony yesterday learned he will be sidelined for three to five weeks with a knee injury.

The former New Zealand Warrior's place at fullback with be taken by impressive Auckland rookie Karmichael Hunt, who made his debut against the Warriors in round one.

- NZPA