Toopi in bid for Super 14 spot

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Warriors legend Clinton Toopi is facing a race against the clock to be fit in time for next year's Super 14 season.

The Kiwis centre is the latest league star contemplating a switch of codes and in a massive boost to the Super 14, Toopi - once considered the best league centre in the world - would prefer to ply his trade in New Zealand rather than in Europe.

The Kiwis speedster, who recently parted ways with Super League side Leeds, will return to New Zealand this week.

He's undergoing rehabilitation for a serious knee injury and has been linked with several NRL clubs for 2009.

But a return to Australasian rugby league is not his preferred choice.

"Pretty much, at this stage I am looking at making the switch,'' Toopi, 28, told Sunday News last night from his home in Leeds.

"I've always wanted to know how I would go in union.

"Before I got injured I had been contemplating giving union a go with Leeds' rugby team.

"I was going to chance my arm and test the waters. That's not the route we are going to go down now.

"My manager Peter Brown is putting the feelers out and I'm not pushing hard on it yet.

"My first priority is to get fit.''

While Toopi says he would consider offers from European rugby clubs, he admits he wouldn't mind moving back to New Zealand for good.

"I don't know exactly where I want to play rugby at this stage," he said.

"I'm really trying to leave my options open. It would be great to get interest from all three regions (New Zealand, UK and France) but if I'm being honest, you are always going to feel more comfortable at home.

"My manager and I have discussed it and we have decided that our first option is rugby union. If that doesn't work out then it's back to looking at rugby league."

It's been a disastrous year for former high-flying Warrior Toopi. After injuring his shoulder in March, he returned four months later only to suffer a season-ending knee injury during his side's Challenge Cup semifinal loss to St Helens. He's still on crutches and will miss the league World Cup in October. Toopi hopes to be fit by March next year and says Leeds offered to buy him out of his 2009 contract because of his injuries. He should make a decision on his future by January.

"Basically, Leeds gave me two options. They offered me a new two-year deal or said they would pay me out of my 2009 contract. We decided to take the payout and return to New Zealand where I will work hard to sort my knee out for the rest of the year."