Rookie Afoa makes the right moves
THE success of the Warriors’ season, of course, hinges on whether they make the finals. But one positive to come from their inconsistent campaign has been the way the club’s rookies have grasped their opportunities.
Nathaniel Roache, Jazz Tevaga, Toafofoa Sipley and Bunty Afoa have all been elevated to the NRL this season. Some have been used more than others but none have looked out of place when called upon by coach Andrew McFadden.
While he was a late omission from Saturday’s clash against the Panthers, the latest of that batch, 19-year-old Afoa, has filled in superbly for injured back-rower Bodene Thompson over the past month.
And the fact he’s had minimal experience in the position has made his step up to the top grade even more impressive.
‘‘I’m a front-row kind of guy but I’ll take whatever opportunity I can get,’’ Afoa said at training this week.
‘‘There’s a lot boys here that deserve that spot and I’ve got to make sure I’m up there with the older boys and maintain my standards on and off the field.’’
Handed his debut in the round 17 win over the Titans, Afoa was named to make his fourth consecutive appearance against the Panthers only to drop down to the under-20s team to make way for Thompson’s return.
In the games he did play, the Junior Kiwis representative stood out with his fearless hole running, which saw him score a double in the golden point defeat to Manly two weeks ago, and high work rate.
But it’s his attitude towards improving that has won Afoa a big admirer in skipper Ryan Hoffman.
‘‘The season is more than half over and for him to come in after not really training with us and to not look out of place is an outstanding effort for a young bloke,’’ said Hoffman. ‘‘I’ve been spending a bit of time with him obviously playing similar positions. It’s not a position he’s used to but his willingness to learn and wanting to get better at his role is really pleasing to see from an exciting young player.’’
A product of renowned Auckland league nursery St Paul’s College, as a young prop Afoa modelled himself on Kiwis legend Rubin Wiki and Warriors teammate Ben Matulino.
But thrown out of his comfort zone by playing on the edge, he’s shown skills he didn’t know he had. ‘‘‘‘I think that mindset of running holes is making my game a little bit more interesting and having more options.
‘‘Ball skills-wise [I am developing], passing, running those holes, timing, that is a big one for me because I have got to hold my width.’’