Auckland-born Rooster set to prop up the Warriors pack
The Warriors are poised to secure rising Roosters prop Poasa Faamausili on a month-long loan to ease their injury-hit roster.
NRL.com understands Faamausili is set to join the side next week with Trent Robinson’s blessing after both clubs agreed to the short-term loan.
The NRL last week approved a short-term dispensation for the Warriors to take on loan players from rival clubs, with paperwork around Faamausili’s move now being worked through.
The Warriors’ relocation to the Central Coast made the NRL’s restart possible with the competition kicking off last night.
But coronavirus restrictions have limited access to players outside their top NRL squad in the face of a severe front-row injury shortage.
Faamausili’s expected arrival in the Warriors camp would ease the impact of recent injuries to middle forwards Leeson Ah Mau and Jazz Tevaga, which came on top of already season-ending surgeries for props Bunty Afoa and Jackson Frei.
Faamausili is slated to be with the Warriors until round nine, by which time Tevaga is expected to return from injury.
Previously, ex-Warrior and current Wests Tigers prop Russell Packer had been linked with a short-term move to coach Stephen Kearney’s squad.
NRL legends including Billy Slater, Paul Gallen and Sam Thaiday had also expressed their willingness to come out of retirement to help the Warriors in recent weeks.
But Kearney, who on Wednesday told reporters the Warriors were close to securing their first loan player, has instead opted to bring in Aucklandborn Faamausili.
The 24-year-old will join his new teammates at their Central Coast base next week and will be eligible to play in the Warriors’ round four clash against the Penrith Panthers.
He was on Tuesday named 21st man in the Roosters’ extended squad to face arch-rivals South Sydney tonight.
Faamausili has played 14 games for the Chooks, including the round 2 loss to Manly this season, since making his NRL debut in 2018.
He played 12 games for Robinson’s side in the Roosters’ premiershipwinning campaign in 2019.
He is contracted with the premiers until the end of 2022, but had previously been given permission to negotiate with Cronulla after being offered as a possible swap option for centre Josh Morris. — nrl.com