HUNTER Wildfires back-rower Kirk Tufuga has an opportunity in Spain "too good to turn down" but the wholehearted Kiwi has "unfinished business" and plans to return for the 2022 Shute Shield campaign.
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Tufuga has signed with top-flight Spanish club El Salvador and along with wife Levana and four-year-old daughter Jade leave for Valladoid next month.
"It is a full-time professional gig," the 31-year-old said. "I couldn't turn the opportunity down to stay here and train. That is any footy player's dream. It will be a great experience. We have never been to Europe."
Wildfires fly-half Nate De Thierry has also inked a contract in Spain.
El Salvador were beaten in the semi-final by eventual champions VRAC Quesos Entrepinares last season.
The Spanish season kicks off on October 3 runs until the end of April.
"Some of the Wildfires boys Favaae [Sila], OJ [Noa], Phil [Bradford] have been over their previously and talk highly of it," Tufuga said.
"We will stay in communication with the Wildfires. I am keen to come back. It feels like there is unfinished business. I want this club to succeed and this team to do well. Prove to the Sydney clubs that we are worthy of being in the competition."
Tufuga was among 22 contracted players who arrived this season - a requirement set by Hunter clubs for the Wildfires' inclusion in the Sydney competition
.After a slow start, the Wildfires had climbed to ninth, one spot outside the play-offs, when the competition was suspended due to COVID in June.
"We had laid the foundations and were just starting to get some wins," Tufuga said. "That hard-fought win over Manly, that set the standard for us. We realised that 'we can actually do this'. It put more belief in the boys. We were ready to kick on and then obviously COVID hit."
Tufuga's intention to return to the Wildfires for a second season was welcomed by Coleman.
"He is a natural, born leader," Coleman said. "He sets the tempo for training and a lot of things we do. He is a great guy and real professional.
"The only disappointment is that he and Nate won't be here in November for the start of pre-season. They will be back in May. In saying that, they know the program and know everyone. It is not as though they are someone new."
Before joining the Wildfires, Tufuga had been entrenched in Palmerston North, where he captained Wairarapa Bush in the Heartland Championship last year before being called into the Manawatu Turbos.
He said the Shute Shield was everything he expected and more.
"Back home, you hear a lot about the Shute Shield," he said. "It is not until you come over and experience it ... the intensity and speed. The level of footy that is a high calibre.
"We knew coming over that it was going to be a challenge. To get our heads around travelling to Sydney every second Saturday. It was an awesome year we were just gutted that it was cut short because of COVID.
"Off the field, we loved it as well. The beach and the weather was not what we are used to. It's hard being away from family but we have been here six months now and found our feet. We have built our own community here. We have met new people and built relationships."
Tufuga played for Massey university back in Manawatu and captained New Zealand Universities. When the Shute Shield was suspended he jumped at the chance to play for Newcastle University in the local competition.
"I loved every minute of it," he said. "When i go the chance to go back and play locally, I said 'chuck me into the uni team. I'm keen to help out'. I know they are young and I know what it is like.
"The intensity level is lower. It was good for the boys who have been playing at a higher level to help the young ones to get to that stage. That is what we were trying to bring; that little bit of professionalism."
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