Titans keep Toopi for 2011
Updated
Titans centre Clinton Toopi will extend his stay on the Gold Coast after securing a one-year contract extension with the NRL club.
The Titans threw the former New Zealand international a lifeline this season and he has been one of the club's most consistent performers.
A relieved Toopi says his immediate focus is on Friday night's home final against his former team, New Zealand Warriors.
"Things are good off the field and cementing an offer to play on - I just wanted to get it out of the way and focus on tomorrow night's game," he said.
"That's the bigger goal for me at this time."
Toopi revealed on Thursday that 2010 had been one of the toughest years of his life.
Leaving his family in New Zealand, Toopi rolled the dice and joined the Titans initially on a trial basis during the preseason after a stint with Leeds in the UK Super League and Kiwi rugby union.
After snapping up a one-year deal, Toopi made his first NRL appearance in four years when he replaced an injured Mat Rogers in April.
And the former Kiwi international has not looked back - but there are still regrets.
"It (living away from family) has been that tough that I would never do it again - it's been a bit of a struggle," Toopi said.
"I am glad the club gave me times during the season to go home and catch up with the family, that has been a big help.
"But I wouldn't want to do that again."
His wife Turenga and daughters Waimania and Brianna are still based in New Zealand - but that will soon change.
"They will be over here in a couple of weeks so we will be starting to sort out a job for my wife - so if there are any teaching jobs out there?" Toopi laughed.
"Look, it's been a long road, there's been a lot of ups and downs but I am back in the NRL frame.
"Over the last few months things started falling into place.
"I have had a few (playing) opportunities, and my body started holding up.
"I thought 'well there is light at the end of the tunnel' - it ignited the flame again."
- ABC/AAP
Topics: nrl, sport, rugby-league, robina-4226, australia, qld, new-zealand
First posted
The Global Mail's Middle East correspondent Jess Hill on the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Australian journalist Austin Mackell in Egypt.
UK Labour MP Tom Watson speaks about the charges related to the arrest of five employees at the Sun newspaper in Britain.
Protesters have spilled onto the streets of Greece after it approved a draft bill committing the country to reforms required by the EU and the IMF for a new $US170 billion bailout.
Political analyst Raspal Khosa says a video that shows a former Afghan army member boasting about killing Australian soldiers is a slick piece of Taliban propaganda.
