Papali’i provides Ice-ing on edge
A new focus on the Warriors’ left-side attack has allowed teenage second rower Isaiah Papali’i to prove there is much more to his game than just tackles and hit-ups.
The Warriors red hot start to the season saw them direct much of their play down the star-studded right edge featuring Shaun Johnson, Tohu Harris and try-scoring machine David Fusitu’a.
Ahead of today’s clash against the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium, coach Stephen Kearney explained a recent change in emphasis has seen the left edge fed more ball to allow Papali’i’s game to flourish in just his second season of first grade.
The 19-year-old has quickly earned a reputation as a tireless worker in defence and a strong ball-runner but recent games against the Sharks and Broncos have showcased his ability to offload and spread the ball to create tries for centre Solomone Kata.
“We looked at our attacking structure and the right edge was getting a bit of air time and we weren’t going to the left as often, so we needed to balance that out,” said Kearney.
“In the last few weeks, we’ve looked to do that and it’s been a conscious work-on for us and Isaiah has got the capabilities.
“We’ve just got to keep reminding ourselves that he’s still only 19 and we’re trying to push stuff on him pretty quickly but it’s all a really good part of his development.”
The Warriors have injury concerns with hooker Issac Luke (calf) and Harris (knee) both sidelined but Papali’i feels he is hitting his straps physically after overcoming a knee injury suffered in the round two win over the Titans.
The eighth-placed Warriors yesterday plugged the gaps with bench utility Jazz Tevaga promoted into the No 9 role and three-game rookie Joseph Vuna into the second row, as they look to bounce back from last week’s loss to Melbourne.
“I’m back to 100 per cent,” said Papali’i. “I don’t take notice of it any more, which is definitely a good sign. It’s been coming along well and the rest of the body is holding up well.
“[I didn’t come back injured] but wasn’t 100 per cent. But all of that was part of the healing process, so to feel back to 100 per cent is good.”
Papali’i goes about his business with little fuss or fanfare and is yet to win the type of praise Australian commentators like to direct towards his Titans opposite and fellow second-year rookie Keegan Hipgrave.
Kearney prefers his players go under the radar but says Papali’i’s breakout season has not gone unnoticed by rival coaches, including Storm mentor Craig Bellamy.
“I do like it that way. But I was talking to [Bellamy] on the weekend and he mentioned Isaiah, so he’s not going under the radar for some.
“I made the point that we’ve got