Teenager symbol of growth for Warriors
Second-rower Papali’i excelling at tough role in the NRL engine-room
Teenage Warriors forward Isaiah Papali’i symbolises the side’s continuing growth as he learns what it takes to survive in the ruthless environment of the NRL.
The 19-year-old second-rower is excelling in what has already been a roller-coaster second season that’s seen him bounce back from a knee injury to cement himself as a regular.
Papali’i has been picked ahead of club great Simon Mannering in recent weeks, although coach Stephen Kearney has named him on the bench for tonight’s clash against South Sydney at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland. The change does not faze the Mt Albert Grammar and Te Atatu Roosters product who admits he is just happy to be playing in the NRL.
“Just playing first grade, I am always pinching myself,” said Papali’i. “But I try not to get too overwhelmed with the whole starting thing. I just try to prepare as best I can and wherever I get put in I walk into the role confidently and know that I can do my part for the team.”
Big things were expected of Papali’i this season after he impressed in a handful of appearances in his rookie campaign last year. Hard work and good performances in the preseason saw him handed an opportunity earlier than expected when an injury to Mannering opened the door for him to play in the round one win over the Rabbitohs in Perth.
His luck soured the following week when he was injured in the win over the Titans but he returned quickly and has been a consistent performer on the left edge.
Learning how to cope mentally and physically as he worked his way back to full fitness has been part of his education. “The knee is sweet, it doesn’t give me any grief anymore,” he said. “I have learned from it and come out better from it.”
Kearney is thrilled with Papali’i’s progression this year and the manner in which he has been able to withstand the physical toll — such as Roosters enforcer Dylan Napa collecting him with a high shot that forced him from the field late in the
32-0 defeat a fortnight ago. “He’s played 12 NRL games and it’s a bloody tough and brutal business particularly in his position,” said Kearney. “But he’s done wonderfully well and he’s only going to benefit from what he’s learned this year. It’s a constant learning process about ‘how do I manage myself to kick-on through the back half of the year’.”
Kearney made the point midweek that Papali’i could again be added to the starting side before kick-off, but he may stick with Mannering who has started off the bench the past three weeks. “It’s just tinkering around with what we feel is going to best suit the team. Isaiah has been playing some big time so he’s not quite as used to the rigours of it all as someone like Simon.”
The third-placed Warriors are braced for a fierce encounter as the fourth-ranked Rabbitohs look to balance the ledger and claim a fourth straight win. “Everyone’s coming over here and bringing their A-game,” said Papali’i.
The Warriors were forced into a late reshuffle when halfback Mason Lino was ruled out with a leg injury. Blake Green switches to the No 7 jersey and Peta Hiku gets his third different role in as many games, moving to five-eighth. He started in the centres in the loss to the Roosters and then switched to fullback for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck against Parramatta. Gerard Beale comes off the extended bench to start in the centres.
● St George Illawarra forward Leeson Ah Mau has agreed to join the Warriors next season on a three-year deal.