Gold Coast Titans junior Joseph Pouniu returns to NRL club after 'catastrophic' spinal injuries - and now he wants to play wheelchair footy
Pouniu, 19, has started a role with the football department as a video analyst - and wants to eventually play wheelchair rugby league.
In February of 2023, his life was turned upside down aged 16 after crashing into a goal post mid-match.
The youngster - considered an elite talent destined to play first grade - was rushed to Brisbane for emergency surgery to stabilise his neck and reattach the C4 and C5 discs to his spinal cord.
The Titans have stood by Pouniu since the incident, raising more than $1.2million to assist the teenager going forward in his life.
'Before the injury, this is where I wanted to be and it's good to be a part of it again,' he told the Titans in an interview via the club's website.
'I've made so much progress. To be able to move my arms and do daily activities has been massive.
'Adjusting to this new lifestyle has been a big journey, but I've got to keep pushing forward.
His life was turned upside down after crashing into a goal post mid-match leaving him a quadriplegic (pictured)
'(Titans video analyst Chris Kulen) has been showing me the ropes. It's pretty interesting.
'It's given me an appreciation of what happens behind the scenes. It's pretty cool.'
Titans chairman Dennis Watt labelled Pouniu an 'outstanding young man' and that the club are delighted he has come on board as an analyst.
Diagnosed a quadriplegic, Pouniu is now inspired to play wheelchair rugby league.
'I've been itching to get back on,' he told News Corp.
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