NRL 2021: Rising star Tesi Niu wants to be at Brisbane Broncos for life

Broncos young gun Tesi Niu was the centre of a Facebook storm last year as he contemplated joining good friend David Fifita at the Titans but he insists he wants to remain at Brisbane.

Tesi Niu wants to be a Bronco for life. Picture: AAP

Brisbane centre Tesi Niu has shot down suggestions he is Gold Coast-bound to join good friend David Fifita, insisting he wants to stay “at the Broncos for life”.

Niu will come up against Fifita for the first time when the Broncos take on the Titans in Friday night’s south-east Queensland derby at Cbus Super Stadium.

The 19-year-old is one of at least four Broncos players the Titans have expressed interest in signing following Gold Coast’s poaching of Fifita last year.

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Tesi Niu (right) gets past Tevita Pangai Junior at Broncos training. Picture: AAP Image

The Titans are in the mix for Origin winger Xavier Coates, gun centre Kotoni Staggs and rising back-rower Brendan Piakura.

Titans figurehead Mal Meninga last year thought he had secured Niu, only for the Tongan international to ink a one-year extension with the Broncos.

Niu’s links to the Titans have not disappeared, especially after a cryptic social media post last year following Fifita’s decision to join Gold Coast.

In the days after Fifita’s signing, a post on Niu’s father’s Facebook page said: “I will follow you my brother sooner or later”.

The post was accompanied by photos of Niu and Fifita, but was labelled “fake” by the Broncos who had been given assurances by Niu he was committed to the club.

Niu is off-contract at season’s end and has been shifted from his favoured fullback position to the centres by new Broncos coach Kevin Walters. But the seven-game rookie insists he is committed to Brisbane and wants to play out his career at Red Hill.

Tesi Niu is off-contract at the end of this season. Picture: AAP

“I want to be at the Broncos for life,” Niu said.

“When Kevvie came back you could feel the culture. He has brought the old Broncos back.

“We’ve had a lot of talks from the Old Boys. You can see how much it means to them.

“They get emotional talking about the Broncos. You get a tingle in your heart.

“I want to play for the Broncos.

“(Fifita) is a good mate of mine but that’s footy. We all move on.”

While Niu has lost the No. 1 jersey to New Zealand Test player Jamayne Isaako, Walters has shown faith in him at centre.

Tesi Niu is friends with Titans recruit David Fifita. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Niu, who debuted last year, is a work-in-progress in the challenging centre position and said he was determined to improve as Brisbane fights back from last season’s wooden spoon horror.

“I’m learning every day,” he said. “I’m loving playing centre at the moment. I’ve just got to play my game and not try to be anyone else but me.

“I need to learn about decision-making and what to do in defence. It’s one of the hardest positions to defend in. I’m happy anywhere. I’m grateful to be in any position, I just want to be in the 17 playing for the Broncos.

“It’s a dream come true to play for the Broncos, especially under Kevvie. I have learnt a lot from him and want to put a performance on for the ‘Bronx Nation’.“

Tesi Niu was in court earlier this month on driving charges. Picture: Ross Irby

Niu’s 2021 campaign got off to a shaky start after he faced court in Ipswich earlier this month on driving offence charges.

He was suspended from driving for six months after losing his licence due to multiple speeding offences, amassing 18 demerits points, and continuing to drive.

Niu said he had put the drama behind him and was hoping to repay the Broncos with strong performances on the field this year.

“That’s all gone now,” he said.

“I have put it at the back of me and I’m moving forward. I will focus on (the future).

“I can’t wait (to play the Titans), it will be a good crowd there.”