Don't worry Warriors fans. Tui Lolohea isn't going anywhere. That's according to Warriors chief executive Jim Doyle amid reports that five clubs are interested in signing the young utility.
Lara Pitt announced on Fox Sports' The Monday Night Show with Matty Johns, that she had spoken to Lolohea's manager who confirmed the star was being lured away from the club.
Lolohea reportedly received three text messages from three different clubs during Saturday night's match, and by the end of the weekend had five clubs offering him a starting spot.
Doyle said it wasn't surprising clubs were interested but confirmed Lolohea wasn't going anywhere.
"To be honest with you there is probably more than five clubs interested in Tui, the same there is with lots of our other players," Doyle told Martin Devlin on the DRS on Radio Sport.
"Tui is a big part of our long-term future. He's contracted with us for this year, next year and 2018 so he's not going anywhere. He's very much part of our future."
Doyle said a main reason they granted Thomas Leuluai a release from his contract was because they see Lolohea as his replacement in the halves.
Controversy stirred among the rugby league fraternity when Lolohea was kept on the bench until the 81st minute in the Warriors' golden-point loss to the Manly Sea Eagles.
Lolohea, who has been a standout player for the Warriors this season, also received limited minutes against the Sharks in another golden-point loss back on June 25.
Warriors coach Andrew McFadden defended his decision saying they wanted to put Lolohea in the game, they just didn't have a place to put him.
McFadden is reported to have contacted Lolohea's manager in a bid to keep his young playmaker, saying he still had him in his plans.
Former-NRL player Matty Johns said on The Monday Night Show with Matty Johns last night that he couldn't believe Lolohea wasn't currently starting.
"I just can't work it out," he said. "A player of such extraordinary talent."
The Warriors team for this weekend's clash against the Raiders will be announced at 5pm this afternoon.
