The Gold Coast Titans have granted an immediate release to prop Leilani Latu, with the Warrington Wolves confirming the signing of the prop forward on a two-year deal until November 2021.

"Leilani and his family have been passionate members of the Gold Coast community, and as a Club, we are supportive of him taking this new opportunity for his career and family," said Titans Head of Performance Mal Meninga.

"The Titans thank Leilani for his time at the Club, and wish his nothing but the best for the future."

Warrington head coach Steve Price said was eager to see what Latu would bring to the club.

“We are always looking for quality rugby players to bring to our club and we feel Leilani fits that," said Price.

"I’m looking forward to working with him and developing his game during his time at Warrington as we feel there is a lot more he can bring to the game."

10 COMMENTS

  3. Great news for the titans who now have some money to spend. Maybe they go after Luke Thompson and Nat Butcher.

    Thompson played all his Super League Footy under Holbrook at St Helens so that would be a good start in recruiting him. Nat Butcher would be also a good pick up. Not very expensive and has a huge future ahead of him. Butcher played junior NSW and junior kangaroos and is a handy player.

    Would also release Arrow early to the Rabbits if they compensate the Storm and they have you Tino early that would be huge.

    Have a big strong pack
    8. Wallace
    9. Pests
    10. Fotuaika
    11. James
    12. Proctor
    13. Thompson

    15. Boyd
    16. Butcher
    17. Faaauamaleui

  4. I hope Titans don’t spend for the sake of it and wait for a quality forward, Thompson would be the choice for me and still hold Arrow for this season unless Tino becomes available. If it comes down to needing to fill a spot I’d consider bottom dollar one year contract for Burleighs Page or Leary those 2 would be chomping at the bit for a crack.

  5. Luke Thompson? didnt you see him in the end of year tests? he was overwhelmed by the tongans, kiwis and kumuls. He’s hot stuff over in the UK but the NRL boys he played against in those tests made him look average.

  6. I read somewhere that Ryan James is training and hoping to be a middle forward next season. If that is the case then spending Latu’s money on a another prop or lock seems pointless.

    It seems to me that now this contract has freed up some space for a second rower or a centre/fullback. Wouldn’t be surprised if Arrow isn’t at Souths soon with Gagai and Doueihi or Johnston to Titans

  7. James best position is second row, because he doesn’t have to work so tirelessly on defence and outside his size is hard to handle.
    As for going for a Fullback really? Brimson looks promising there and that would be silly to bring in another someone there. Even at centre they already have Watkins and Kelly and Peachey.

    Luke Thompson is only 24 he works really hard and I think he’s going to be the next James Graham. Would bring him over, have him and Wallace work their bigs off in the middle, have Fotu and Boyd bring the energy and impact. Tino if you can get him early would be great, have him learn off Proctor before overtaking him

  8. Peachey since his debut has always desired to play closer to the middle of the field and was considered a hooker. as time went on and other holes had to be filled his natural ability and athleticism gave him the dreaded utility and has now played nearly every position on the field apart from the one he was supposed to be playing(which was hooker).

    Brimson is athletic enough and plays with a lot of effort but He isn’t consistent under the high ball, his position in goal line defence is shocking as well as his general fullback positioning in the open field. All of these things come natural if you are a natural fullback who has played the position for years. Brimson isn’t that and played his juniors in the halves and there is a real risk that if they keep playing him fullback he will become a bust just like Lolohea because they are playing him in a position he just isn’t completely comfortable in.

    On Ryan James I completely disagree there is a reason he is a former prop of the year and not a second rower of the year. When he plays SR he has to play the 80 and it hinders his performance. While his size has worked sporadically on an edge he gets found out a lot in defence and gets easily run around. Although he has also dropped form if he concentrated on bringing the aggression back in his game and start bursting out a solid 25 mins a half he would be right back there as a top player.

  9. Also Watkins? He hasn’t played a good game yet and was considered a flop before he even made his NRL debut. I do think Luke Thompson is a must in a NRL team but titans need to spend money elsewhere considering there middles are quite strong.

  10. Everyone rubbishes Brimson but I think he’s well worth a crack he even said himself in the off season he wasn’t keen playing fullback but really wants to play there now so hopefully with 100% commitment and Gordon in his ear we’ll see a more complete Fullback because it is one of the most critical positions.

    As for Ryan James he is absolutely best suited to the middle he got soft on the edge and I miss his mongrel.

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