NRL: Toopi's tough decision pays off

Former Kiwis centre Clinton Toopi has not looked back since making his NRL comeback for the Titans last month. Photo / Getty Images

BRISBANE - Doing the chores at his family's New Zealand home gave a recuperating Clinton Toopi plenty of time to ponder - and his main thought was whether he had just made the biggest mistake of his revitalised National Rugby League (NRL) career.

The hard-hitting Gold Coast centre had been given a choice by the Titans medical staff - risk losing his place in the side and rest a calf niggle or run out in their last clash with the Broncos.

In the end, Toopi relished a rare chance to visit his NZ-based family - wife Turenga and daughters Waimania and Brianna - and watched the Broncos beat the Titans from across the ditch.

But the voice in the back of his head wouldn't go away.

Playing his first NRL season since 2006, the former Kiwis international had finally cemented his spot in the Titans backline.

But Toopi wondered if he had thrown it all away by opting to miss the Broncos clash.

"It was a hard decision. At the club we have so much depth so you are worried if you give up that," Toopi said.

"I was only 85 per cent going into that Brisbane game I didn't want to let anyone down so I decided to pull the plug.

"It was either play and risk missing five weeks or rest one week and play for at least five - turns out I came up with the right decision."

Titans coach John Cartwright kept the faith on Tuesday and slotted a fully fit Toopi back into the starting side for Monday night's clash with the Sydney Roosters at Skilled Park.

Toopi has become one of the fairytale stories of the season after breaking into the Titans side.

While his family remained in NZ, Toopi joined the Titans initially on a trial basis during the pre-season after a stint with Leeds in the British Super League and rugby union in New Zealand.

After snapping up a one-year deal, Toopi made his first NRL appearance in four years when he replaced an injured Mat Rogers last month.

He has not looked back since - as reflected by Cartwright's show of faith.

"It's a good feeling knowing that when you take a risk and then the coach puts you back in there," Toopi said.

The last round bye gave Toopi plenty of time to recover - and catch up with his No 1 fans.

"I went home for a week and saw the wife and kids. I am refreshed now," he said.

"They are one of the big reasons that I am here - just going over there was awesome."

Not that there was much time to rest at home.

"There was a lot of home economics," Toopi laughed.

While Rogers is expected to return from a knee injury in nine weeks rather than the initial 12, Toopi looks set to ensure the dual international does not get a saloon passage back into the backline.

Toopi has impressed, scoring three tries in three games.

- AAP