Former Cowboys centre Enari Tuala has been thrown a lifeline, will join Newcastle in 2020
A former North Queensland Cowboy and junior Maroon has been thrown an NRL lifeline by the Newcastle Knights for the 2020 season. Read the full story here.
Former North Queensland centre and Queensland junior representative Enari Tuala has been thrown an NRL lifeline with a one-year deal at the Newcastle Knights.
Tuala found himself in the rugby league wilderness this off-season after he was let go by the Cowboys following three years in the club’s system.
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The Cairns junior made his NRL debut during the club’s run to the 2017 grand final and went on to play 18 games in the top grade over three years.
While he played most of last season with Cowboys’ feeder club Northern Pride, Tuala still managed to average 103.5 running metres and 35.9 post-contact metre in seven NRL appearances.
But he will pull on the red, white and blue next season as the 21-year-old aims to prove himself under new Knights coach Adam O’Brien.
“I’m excited to join the club,” Tuala said.
“It’s a fresh start and great opportunity for me. Everyone has been welcoming and I’m looking forward to learning from Adam O’Brien.”
Knights recruitment manager Alex McKinnon said Tuala, at 96kg and 188cm, added plenty of size to the club’s backline stocks in 2020.
“Enari is a highly accomplished youngster,” McKinnon said.
“He debuted young and having finished with the Cowboys, moves to Newcastle for an opportunity to restart his first-grade career.
“The backline is an area we are looking to bolster and are excited to have Enari join our top 30 for the 2020 season.”
Tuala enjoyed a glittering junior representative career during his time in the north, representing Queensland at under-16s and under-18s, as well as the Junior Kangaroos in 2017.
Originally published as Former Cowboys centre Enari Tuala has been thrown a lifeline, will join Newcastle in 2020