NRL: Warriors wing Tui Lolohea to go looking for work against Knights

Tui Lolohea wants to go looking for work in the Warriors' Easter Monday clash with Newcastle. Photo/Getty.

Warriors' backline utility Tui Lolohea has been frustrated by a lack of attacking chances on the wing but wants to go looking for more work in today's must-win clash against Newcastle.

After playing every backline position in 23 games last season, and with designs on earning a long-term spot in the halves, the fleet-footed Lolohea has had to be content featuring on the Warriors' right wing so far this season.

Three straight defeats to Wests Tigers, Brisbane and Melbourne have done little to showcase the 21-year-old's attacking flair, but Lolohea says he needs to put himself into the play more often against the Knights at Mt Smart Stadium.

"It's been a tough three games for me," said Lolohea. "They probably haven't been the best of my performances.

"I'm building every week and I know that I'm getting better every week and my involvement in the game is getting better.

"I've just got to get hungry for the ball, especially if the ball is not coming your way much throughout the game. That's the time when you've just got to go looking for it.

"I've just got to stick at it and I know it's going to turn for me and opportunities are going to start coming my way."

After making his NRL debut in 2014, Lolohea had a breakout season last year, winning the club's NRL Rookie of the Year award and a Kiwis' test call-up on the end of year tour of England.

His speed and finishing ability make him a danger man out wide, but he knows he can use his pace and footwork to make a greater contribution to the side's go-forward early in the tackle count.

"The game plan sometimes is to attack the other side but the times I've got to get in are on kick returns, on play one and play two, when the outside backs can get in there," he said.

"I've just got to keep myself involved with the ball in my hand."

Despite his versatility, and the presence of halfback Jeff Robson, five-eighth Shaun Johnson, and the injured Thomas Leuluai, Lolohea believes it's inevitable he'll eventually find a permanent home in either the six or seven jumper.

"Cappy's [coach Andrew McFadden] been speaking to me and he's got a long-term goal for me, but in the meantime, I'm pretty happy on the wing.

"He's always wanted me to be in the halves and that's where I picture myself.

"So I've just got to keep learning the skills when I'm at training and not forget about where I used to play."

The Marist Saints and Kelston Boys' High School product knows the 15th-ranked Warriors are expected to account for the winless Knights, and put an end to their record-equalling 11-game losing streak, but is wary of the side sitting one place above them on the NRL ladder.

"Newcastle, they've got a lot of young fellas and a lot of experienced fellas as well in their team," he said.

"They probably haven't had the best start, as we have, but hopefully we can get our season underway with a win at the weekend."

Warriors: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Tuimoala Lolohea, Blake Ayshford, Solomone Kata, Jonathan Wright, Shaun Johnson, Jeff Robson, Jacob Lillyman, Jazz Tevaga, Ben Matulino, Bodene Thompson, Ryan Hoffman (c), Simon Mannering.

Interchange: Charlie Gubb, Sam Lisone, Konrad Hurrell, Albert Vete.

Knights: Dane Gagai, Nathan Ross, Sione Mata'utia, Pat Mata'utia, Cory Denniss, Jarrod Mullen, Trent Hodkinson, Sam Mataora, Tyler Randell, Korbin Sims, Jacob Saifiti, Robbie Rochow, Jeremy Smith.

Interchange: Danny Levi, Mickey Paea, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Pauli Pauli.