But caretaker coach Kurt Richards has predicted Niu will make a name for himself when the livewire fullback makes his Broncos debut at the NRL Nines starting in Perth on Friday.
Richards - who will hold the Broncos reins for head coach Anthony Seibold in WA - admitted he could not wait to unleash Niu after witnessing the teenager's meteoric off-season rise.
Niu was a surprise standout for Tonga at last October's World Cup Nines but was still not expected to feature in the Mate Ma'a's end of season Tests last year.
