League: Clinton's contract dilemma

In the extraordinary career of Clinton Toopi, the past two weeks have provided a good illustration of the highs and lows he has experienced since bursting on to the scene in 1999.

Playing for his country one week, the 26-year-old was relegated to the bench in favour of youngster Simon Mannering for the Warriors' visit to the Dragons last night.

In many respects, Toopi paid the price for a poor performance in the 30-16 loss to the Bulldogs a fortnight ago, when little went right for a player once considered the world's best centre.

The veteran of 129 NRL games and 18 tests has shown glimpses of what he is capable of this season but, as far as coach Ivan Cleary is concerned, he's also shown glimpses of the internal torment he's wrestling with over a big-money offer to join the Wigan Warriors next season.

"I'm sure it is [affecting his form]," Cleary said of a deal that could see Toopi earn as much as $1m over two years. "I wish I really knew. It's all mental with Clinton. It's just the kind of guy he is, he's a big thinker anyway.

"He's been at the club a long time so he's probably not had to deal with this too much before. Since his last three-year contract, he's been married, had a child and, all of a sudden, it becomes more difficult."

On the surface, Toopi can look like he doesn't have a care in the world but the amiable centre admits he's had a lot on his mind.

"I guess the Bulldogs game wasn't the best I've played," he said before last night's match. "It showed on the field my mind was elsewhere. I have a lot on my plate at the moment with my family and in terms of my future."

That future seems almost certain to be with UK Super League giants Wigan and the Warriors have admitted they will struggle to hang on to him given salary cap restrictions and the size of Wigan's offer.

They also recently signed Mannering to a new deal that will see the 2005 Rookie of the Year remain at the club until at least the end of 2008.

Toopi is understandably cagey when talking about his future but he's a man of principle and is uncomfortable about misleading people.

"Hopefully I will have it sorted out within two or three weeks because it will be beneficial for me and the club so they can make some plans. I have looked at options and my manager [Peter Brown] is looking around and finding what's best out there for me and my family. I have every confidence he will choose the right one for me.

"I've always thought if I was going to leave the club - and I would love to stay - that I was going to do it midway through my career. I don't want to go places to retire... I want to go somewhere I will win some premierships."

Wigan, despite being bottom of the Super League table could well be that place.

They have recently installed Great Britain and former Bradford coach Brian Noble to take over at the JJB Stadium and have also signed former Australian five-eighths Trent Barrett for the 2007 season.

Toopi could well be next.