Thomas Leuluai Granted Early Release From NZ Warriors

Warriors utility Thomas Leuluai has been granted a release from the last year of his contract on compassionate grounds enabling him to return to England at the end of the NRL season.

The 31-year-old began his second stint with the club in 2013 after returning from eight seasons in the English Super League.

Leuluai said he's grateful to the club for clearing the way for him to take his English-born wife Natalie and their baby daughter back to the UK.

Coach Andrew McFadden said it was difficult weighing up the club's needs over Leuluai's.

"We also know how much quality work he's doing for us he's a great leader and he's a big blow for us. We wouldn't have made the decision if we didn't feel like we had some fairly capable fill ins.

"Obviously we've got Tui Lolohea there, who is a half. He's doing a really good job for us in other positions he'll probably get a crack. There's another young kid, Hingano, he's been really pushing.

"[Ata Hingano]'s been sitting there doing some training with us the last couple of weeks while Shaun hasn't been there, so both those guys are going to push for that position."

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