Afoa injury a blow for Warriors
The Warriors have been dealt a massive injury blow, losing prop Bunty Afoa for a large chunk of the year.
Afoa suffered an ACL injury training last week that will see him miss much of the 2020 season.
It’s a huge blow to a forward pack light on big-bodied middle forwards as it is. It means coach Stephen Kearney will likely be forced to look to someone such as Sam Lisone, to fill the void.
Lisone played 11 games last year, but never managed to lock down a consistent starting spot.
Afoa, on the other hand, played 20 matches in 2019 and averaged just under 90m a game, mostly off the bench. He had been one of the club’s steady improvers up front.
Agnatius Paasi and Leeson Ah Mau are presumed starters, with Lisone and uncapped Jackson Frei the only other genuine props in the first grade squad.
Adam Blair and Lachlan Burr are capable, but the injury to Afoa will seriously test the club’s depth.
Recently Fox Sports Australia rated the Warriors forward pack a D +, the joint worst alongside Wests Tigers. They also gave them an F for their off-season recruitment.
The Warriors kick off the first of their NRL trials on Saturday, when they take on the Melbourne Storm in Palmerston North.