Lolohea happy to wait for halves chance

Warriors winger Tuimoala Lolohea, creator of the spectacular golden-point try against the Sydney Roosters, is prepared to bide his time for another chance in the halves.

Lolohea’s scorching kick-return from deep set up ex-Rooster Roger Tuivasa-Sheck for an 82nd-minute touchdown as the Warriors secured back-to-back NRL wins last Sunday.

With Shaun Johnson and Jeff Robson as the starting halves combination, Lolohea has been a fixture in the No.2 jersey this season, scoring two tries in five matches.

The return from injury of seasoned campaigner Thomas Leuluai this week adds to coach Andrew McFadden’s play-making options.

Lolohea showed his versatility in his first full season in 2015 when he was used in four different backline positions.

But having either the No.6 or No.7 on his back remains his ambition.

He got a run at halfback at the tail-end of last season following Johnson’s serious ankle injury, going on play the same role in his one Test for New Zealand on the tour of England.

“I would love to play in the spine and I’m getting a lot of practice at training,” the 21-year-old said.

“I’m always appearing in the meetings for the spine. Cappy (McFadden) tells me to get in there because I’m going to benefit.”

Of the golden-point try against the Roosters, Lolohea credited the pressure that lock Albert Vete put on kicker Jackson Hastings in the lead-up.

“I thought I was going to get smashed, since it was a short kick, but I just managed to play footy,” Lolohea said.

“I could hear Roger the whole time pretty much and Roger was in the right place in the right time.”

Lolohea kept a memento from that match – the ripped jersey he wore on his memorable run.

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