New Zealand Warriors sign former club junior powerhouse forward Agnatius Paasi

  • 06/11/2017
Agnatius Paasi was a standout junior at the Auckland club.
Agnatius Paasi was a standout junior at the Auckland club. Photo credit: Getty

Powerhouse forward Agnatius Paasi is back home after signing a two-year contract with the New Zealand Warriors.

A 2011 NYC premiership winner with the Junior Warriors, Paasi has rejoined his first NRL club after making 54 appearances for the Gold Coast Titans over the last three seasons.

He’s the third former Warrior to confirm his return to Mount Smart Stadium for next season.

The club recently confirmed Kiwi utility back Peta Hiku and back rower Matiu Love-Henry had been signed after playing for the Warriors at NYC level earlier in their careers.

“Agnatius became available after being released on compassionate grounds so he and his family could return home,” said club CEO Cameron George.

“We’re excited to be able to add him to our roster. He’s another aggressive forward, just the type Stephen (Kearney) is after as we look to boost our front row resources.”

Paasi is the seventh signing for 2018, one being his Gold Coast team-mate Leivaha Pulu.

The others secured have been Tohu Harris (Melbourne), Gerard Beale (Cronulla) and Adam Blair (Brisbane) plus Hiku and Love-Henry.

After his NRL debut for the Warriors in 2014, Paasi linked up with the Titans from 2015-2017, playing 18 times in his first season and all 25 in 2016 before injury restricted him to 11 games this year.

He was outstanding at the 2016 NRL Auckland Nines at Eden Park when he helped the Titans to the semi-finals and was named in the team of the tournament.

Newshub.