http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/tigers/warriors-utility-tuimoala-lolohea-set-for-immediate-switch-to-wests-tigers/news-story/ef2fea6367e9757c7ca36f8d39620515
**Warriors utility Tuimoala Lolohea set for immediate switch to Wests Tigers**
Christian Nicolussi, The Daily Telegraph
May 26, 2017 8:24pm
WESTS Tigers are expected to formally announce the signing of Tui Lolohea on Monday, with the young Warriors playmaker and fullback a good chance to run out against St George Illawarra next Saturday.
Lolohea’s management confirmed on Friday the 22-year-old had been granted a release by the Warriors, and was leaning towards joining the Tigers over North Queensland and Canberra.
The Tigers had hoped to have Lolohea a few weeks ago to replace Parramatta-bound Mitchell Moses, but the Warriors dug their heels in.
It was only after they signed Canberra’s Zac Santo they granted Lolohea is early leave pass.
Lolohea is expected to play five-eighth the remainder of this season at the Tigers, then take over the No. 1 jersey from Sydney Roosters-bound superstar James Tedesco.
Lolohea’s manager Stan Martin said there were several things in the Tigers favour, including his friendship with Tigers-bound Warriors prop Ben Matulino and high school friend Josh Aloiai.
“There’s the pathways there, he has family in Sydney, plus the friendships,’’ Martin told The Saturday Telegraph.
The Tigers offer is until the end of 2019 and more attractive than the one put forward by the Cowboys.
The Cowboys were premiers in 2015 and enjoyed plenty of success in recent years compared to the Tigers, but Lolohea knows the joint venture has splurged on some decent talent for next season, including Matulino, former Warriors prop Russell Packer, Josh Reynolds and Chris McQueen.
The club have also tested the waters with Canterbury’s Will Hopoate, who they would not allow to skip Sunday games if he left Belmore.
Lolohea has plenty of talent but struggled to hold a regular spot at the Warriors.
Coach Ivan Cleary took his players to the northern beaches this week for an intense training camp. They will enjoy the bye round before returning and trying to breathe some life back into their campaign.
Finals football is unlikely again for the Tigers, but Cleary can build some confidence heading moving forward.
Winger David Nofolauma said earlier this week the roster that was assembling for next year made it easy to stay motivated for 2018.
One player who would be impacted by Lolohea’s arrival is Jack Littlejohn, who was keen to finally spend some time in the halves with Luke Brooks.
The tall playmaker did his best against the Broncos without Brooks who broke down with a recurring hamstring injury.
When asked about how he felt about the pending arrival of Lolohea, Littlejohn told The Saturday Telegraph: “If he was to come the team would welcome him with open arms.
“Obviously I want to stay here as long as possible, I love the club and the people around here and all the boys. I want to play as many games as I can this year.
“I think some of the recent signings are definitely a positive for the club and you can see what Ivan is doing moving forward.’’