Surprise one-two punch is propping up the Warriors
At start of the season few would have pencilled in Bunty Afoa and Agnatius Paasi as the Warriors’ first-choice props.
But over past six weeks the former Auckland schoolmates have provided a one-two punch from the opening whistle that has proved increasingly hard for coach Stephen Kearney to resist.
The pair were particularly brilliant during last week’s win over Wests Tigers. Paasi earned player of the day honours for his 171 running metres and four offloads, while Afoa (158m) wasn’t far behind.
If the second-placed Warriors are to maintain their impressive form for the full 25 rounds of the regular season and beyond, it’s going to take a collective effort from the big men in the middle.
But as they pair up in the front row for the sixth time in seven games today against the Roosters, Afoa and Paasi are driving each other to succeed.
‘‘We just get out there and feed off each other’s energy,’’ Paasi said.
‘‘When I’m tired I tell him to have a run and I know he can gain those metres. We’re just feeding off each other and Adam Blair is directing us in defence.’’
Both products of renowned rugby league nursery St Paul’s College, a five-year age gap meant Paasi, 26, and Afoa, 21, never got to play together at school.
Afoa said he always looked up to his fellow front rower and is quickly making up for lost time.
‘‘I was junior when he was a senior and I have good memories of him back at school,’’ Afoa said.
‘‘If he takes a hard run I want to charge with him, it’s awesome. Sometimes we have little competitions like who can make the most metres or carries. It’s great because we’re improving each other by wanting more.’’
Afoa has appeared in every game this season and has been one of the Warriors’ most improved players.
Sticking to the old adage of running hard and straight, the Samoan international averages more than 110m per game.
After making his NRL debut in 2016, the former Junior Warriors player of the year made 17 appearances last year mainly in an edge role, which Afoa admittedly struggled with.
But as soon as Kearney gave him the chance to return to the middle during the pre-season, he set about proving that is exactly where he belongs.
‘‘I wanted to make a statement that I want to be in the middle,’’ he said.
Afoa and Paasi made their first start together against the Roosters in round four when the Warriors romped to a 30-6 victory in Sydney.
While the Roosters pack is filled with internationals, with Kiwis prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves left to come off the bench, they have born the brunt for the Bondi club’s inconsistent start to the season. Paasi is expecting a backlash. ‘‘We’re looking forward to the challenge,’’ he said. ‘‘They’re going to be coming hard from the start. We’ve got to match it and bring the same attitude – or even more – from round four.’’