NRL: Resurrected Toopi to start for Titans

Former Kiwis centre Clinton Toopi will make his first NRL start in almost four years on Monday. Photo / Getty Images

Former Kiwis and New Zealand Warriors centre Clinton Toopi can finally contemplate a fairytale return to the National Rugby League (NRL) after fearing his professional sporting career could be over.

Signed on trust by the Gold Coast Titans despite a worrying medical history, the 29-year-old has a chance to repay that faith at Manly's Brookvale Oval on Monday after being named in the starting line-up for the injured Mat Rogers.

The former Australian dual international's own knee dramas proved the catalyst for Toopi to resurrect his NRL career almost four years after he made the last of his 129 appearances for the Warriors.

Titans head coach John Cartwright conveyed the good news to Toopi at training today after opting for his experience ahead of tyro Jordan Aitkins.

Toopi and Aitkins have been confined to Queensland Cup duty with Titans feeder club the Burleigh Bears and were effectively trialling for Rogers' position on Saturday night.

"It's been a bit of a nervous two days, a lot of friends and family have been texting me saying `are you in?' and I didn't really have an answer," Toopi said.

"It means so much - there's been a lot of doubts since last year and since I got here it's been a bit of a tough road.

"But to sort of come over that hump and now line up against Manly .... it still hasn't fully sunk in yet to be totally honest."

With Rogers likely to be out of action for up to three months after straining ligaments during the 20-point loss to St George Illawarra last Friday, the 21-test Kiwi has the ideal opportunity to cement a place in Cartwright's line-up alongside promising Wellington-born centre Joseph Tomane.

However, it promises to be an ominous reintroduction for Toopi, who confronts the imposing Manly duo of Kangaroos representative Jamie Lyon and Kiwis international Steve Matai.

"They're a class side (Manly), one of the benchmarks so I've got to perform," Toopi said.

"I'm in the team now but as my wife (Turenga) said: I've got to pull my finger out."

After leaving the Warriors at the end of the 2006 season Toopi joined former Kiwis coach Brian McClennan at English Super League club Leeds for two seasons before injuries influenced his return home.

He switched codes last year and was selected for the Bay of Plenty Air NZ Cup rugby squad but more knee issues ended his season after the pre-tournament trials.

Toopi was contemplating life after football in Ohope with his wife and daughters when he had a chance to join the Titans for pre-season training. He impressed with his work ethic and was rewarded with a one-year contract as a player-cum-mentor for the club's up-and-coming backs.

Cartwright was confident Toopi warranted his return.

"It's been a long time since his last NRL game but I've seen all the hard work he's put in," he said.

"He'll go out there and give his best and that's all you can ask for.

"He's thrown everything he can into playing NRL again."

- NZPA