League: Warriors youngster Joseph Vuna to put NRL career on hold for Mormon mission

Warriors youngster Joseph Vuna is set to put his NRL career on hold while he embarks on a Morman mission. Photo / Photosport.

The Warriors are resigned to losing one of their best young forwards temporarily with Joseph Vuna set to take a break from the NRL to embark on a Mormon mission.

The 20-year-old second-rower has indicated to the club that he will not be on deck next season as he prepares to put his career on hold while he follows his faith.

Vuna made four appearances for the Warriors this season, coming off the bench on three occasions before earning his first start and playing the full 80 minutes in the round 20 loss to the Gold Coast Titans.

His good form throughout the year was rewarded on Monday when he was named in the Junior Kiwis side to face their Australian counterparts in the curtain raiser to next week's transtasman test between the Kiwis and Kangaroos at Mt Smart Stadium.

That match is expected to be his last playing appearance at least for the next 12 months but the Warriors hope he will return to the fold and fulfil his playing potential in 2020.

"There's not a thing we can do about it other than offer Joseph our blessing and hope that he comes back in a year's time and wants to take up the reins again," said Warriors general manager of football Brian Smith.

"And we certainly hope that in 12 months' time he can come back and get into pre-season training with us."

Vuna's decision will see him follow the same path as fellow NRL stars William Hopoate, Young Tonumaipea and Kiwi international Jordan Rapana who have all left the game to complete a mission.

The Otahuhu junior was born in California and left the US to move to New Zealand with his family as a child. He is also the younger brother of former Wallaby and ex-Tongan league international Cooper Vuna.