Agnatius Paasi

Tongan forward Agnatius Paasi arrives at St Helens

The 29-year-old prop has joined Saints from NRL side New Zealand Warriors on a two-year deal, with the option for a third year with the Super League champions.

Paasi, who has earned one cap for Tonga, made 107 NRL appearances for Gold Coast Titans and the Warriors.

He will wear the number 17 shirt at St Helens in 2021. Fellow new signings Joel Thompson, Sione Mata’utia and Dan Norman will wear 11, 14 and 25 respectively.

     

Paasi departs Titans for Warriors

A 2011 NYC premiership winner with the Junior Warriors, Paasi has rejoined his first NRL club after making 54 appearances for the Gold Coast Titans over the last three seasons.

He’s the third former Warrior to confirm his return to Mount Smart Stadium for next season. The club recently confirmed Kiwi utility back Peta Hiku and back rower Matiu Love-Henry had been signed after playing for the Warriors at NYC level earlier in their careers.

Paasi joins Titans casualty ward

Paasi picked up the injury to the same shoulder which went under a complete reconstruction in the off-season midway through the first half against the Cowboys last Saturday night and could be sidelined for as long as six weeks.

The Titans' forward stocks could suffer another significant blow on Tuesday night when co-captain Ryan James fronts the judiciary to plead not guilty to a charge of a shoulder charge. If he is found guilty James will miss two weeks but can escape suspension altogether if the Titans can mount a successful defence.

Paasi to again skip Tonga Test

Ready to walk away from rugby league when he was cut by the Warriors at the end of the 2014 season, Paasi was encouraged by his long-time partner Chloe to play on for one more year.

He left Chloe and their young son Manatoa back home in New Zealand while he took one last shot on the Gold Coast and now 18 months on he will pass on playing a second Test for Tonga to be by her side.