League: Toopi sidesteps remainder of contract

Clinton Toopi

Clinton Toopi has made his last linebreak for the New Zealand Warriors following confirmation today the enigmatic centre is sidestepping the remainder of his National Rugby League (NRL) contract to play in England's Super League.

Toopi's move to Leeds has been telegraphed since he dropped out of first grade and the Warriors official announcement that they were granting the 26-year-old an early release came as no surprise.

The 19-test veteran will not look back fondly on his eighth season at the Warriors after he was squeezed out of the midfield by rookie Simon Mannering and the club's first choice goalkicker Tony Martin.

At the peak of his powers Toopi was capable of the most audacious offloads and try-scoring feats -- his hattrick inside 10 minutes for the Kiwis against the Kangaroos at North Harbour Stadium in 2003 will be an abiding memory of his time here.

However, this season he has been mainly condemned to the Bartercard Cup after dropping out of head coach Ivan Cleary's plans after May's Anzac Test in Brisbane.

Toopi was in the starting 13 for the first nine rounds of this year's NRL but since returning from Brisbane he has made just two more appearances for the Warriors, both off the bench.

He was also one of only three NRL players released by their clubs to play for the Kiwis in the one-off test against Great Britain at St Helens last month.

Toopi's 129th and last appearance for the Warriors was made against St George Illawarra in Wollongong on May 13.

He played just 10 games this season, scoring a solitary try to finish his club tally on 57.

Toopi had requested a release from the club when it was clear he was surplus to first grade requirements and was granted his wish a day before the Super League's registration deadline expired.

Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said the decision was made to meet Toopi's demand after it was clear another centre/wing Todd Byrne would return from injury after this weekend's bye.

"With Todd being cleared to play we believe we have the depth to enable Clinton to take up his new contract," Scurrah said adding, "Everyone appreciates the tremendous contribution Clinton has made to the Warriors and we wish him every success in the future."

Toopi, on the outer for the last six rounds, was philosophical about ending his association with the club.

"Players are ahead of me here now and I think I need to be playing football at the highest level possible.

"I want to be in the Kiwis team for this year's Tri Nations and my best chance of achieving that at this stage is by playing for Leeds.

"I've had a fantastic time with the Warriors, including the experience of playing in our first grand final in 2002."

Toopi, who has signed a three-year deal with the Rhinos, is expected to leave for England later this week where he will link up with another Warriors' favourite Ali Lauiti'iti.

- NZPA