In a Titans pack featuring David Fifita, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika, Joseph Vuna finds it hard to believe he is one of the senior figures.
That's because while those three have all played over 70 NRL games so far and earned State of Origin honours, at 24 years of age Vuna has only just made his 10th appearance in the top flight, despite debuting with the Warriors five years ago.
"I think the time off for me has showed how the game has changed, it's got a lot quicker since 2018 and is a lot more physical that I remember," Vuna told NRL.com."I feel young in terms of footy... I still feel like a rookie and I still feel I have got to earn my stripes, but being 24 the next step I need to take is to show some leadership too.
There he was raised as part of the Vuna family, which had nine children in it who are his aunties and uncles by blood, with former Warriors and Knights winger Cooper Vuna among them. "I feel like now I have got the opportunity to build some momentum, and if I can string a few more good games together hopefully I can nail down a first-grade spot and then push to put that Tonga jersey on," he said.Whether he achieves that particular goal or not, Cooper said he is in awe of Joseph for having the courage to complete his Mormon mission and trust he could make it back to NRL level.
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