Halaholo, who joined the Wildfires from Brisbane premiers University of Queensland, is on a training contract with the NSW Waratahs.

He is based in Sydney until at least the end of February. The Tahs were given time off last week and Halaholo took the opportunity to travel to Newcastle to train with the Wildfires.

"I came up and sat down with Scott Coleman and met the players," Halaholo said. "The boys are really keen for the season and it makes me excited to come and play. I have heard a lot about the Shute Shield. It is a tough competition. Obviously my focus is on the Waratahs. If I don't get a full-time contract, then I want to play well for the Wildfires and get a look in that way."

Only 24, Halaholo has been likened to a young Wycliff Palu, a tackle- busting No.8 who played 134 games for the Waratahs and 58 tests for the Wallabies.

"Lona has been impressing people down there," said Coleman, whose older brother Darren coaches the Waratahs. "He has had lot of new game plans and different things to take in but he is holding his own."

After losing Kirk Tufuga (Spain), Henry Stowers (Moana Pacifika) and OJ Noah (Sharks) to professional deals, Haloholo will be a key figure in the Wildfires' pack, if he too doesn't secure a full-time contract.

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Lock Joe Tamani is also on a training contract with new franchise Fiji Drua.

"It is bitter sweet either way," Coleman said. "At the end of the day, we want what is best for the players. We want to be a springboard to higher honours.

"If anything, it proves to the local kids - if you give the Hunter Wildfires a crack, it could lead to anywhere.

"If Lona doesn't pick up a full-time contract, he comes back to us a more complete player. Plus he knows that 80 per cent of the Waratahs are off contract at the end of the 2022 and he will be playing for a contract."

Halaholo, whose older brother Willis plays for Wales and Cardiff, moved to Brisbane from Auckland at the start of the year.

"It is my first time in a professional environment," said Halaholo, who has been with the Tahs for a month. "They are pretty long days, big training sessions and gym sessions, but it has been good. My skinfolds have been going down but I'm trying to maintain my weight.

"There is a lot of information I have to take in - lineout calls, set plays and all that stuff. On and off the field, I have become more professional. I have been more organised with my preparation and diet. It's been a big learning curve."

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