I'm not so keen on reporting about NRL news during this RLWC as the big show deserves all the attention. Funnily enough, I'm naturally waltzing down a different path in that regard because the Australian media can't get enough of their NRL news during this RLWC which is exactly what we've come to expect from the Aussie news hounds. I'm not much better though because I'm breaking my own rule, to break down the Aotearoa Warriors signing of Agnatius Paasi from Gold Coast Titans.

(There is other #KiwiNRL signing funk, you can go look around for that news. You'll just have to wait until the RLWC is over to get my opinions)

It did appear as though signing Paasi was a likely outcome from Paasi's request to be released from his Titans contract on compassionate grounds. As this has been in the works for a few weeks, I've already explored it a tad and the over-arching vibe from signing Paasi is that we are going to be watching an incredibly different Aotearoa Warriors team next season. I know it's hard for youz to gather any gram of positivity in your loins about the Warriors, but to hold the 2018 version of the Warriors to the same negativity the rests inside you is weird.

We already knew that the Warriors left edge could be over-hauled with Tohu Harris, Gerard Beale and Peta Hiku possible starters, thus making life difficult for Solomone Kata and Ken Maumalo to keep their spots. Now we know that we are going to be looking at a highly competitive middle forward group, competitive in terms of players competing for bench spots as Paasi's arrival now makes life interesting for Sam Lisone and Albert Vete (yet to be re-signed).

My ideal scenario would be that Paasi and Leivaha Pulu slot on to the bench, leaving just one bench spot available for a forward. Paasi and Pulu can both play on an edge as well, although this is likely to be reason why they should get bench spots as their mobility and skill is best suited to the middle, while providing cover for the edges - Matiu Love-Henry and Bunty Afoa are competing for a right edge spot in my mind. I'm far more positive on what Tevita Satae offers off the bench compared to Lisone and Vete, so I'm rollin' with Satae but these three are likely to compete for that last bench spot.

For those of youz who don't pay attention to the Niche Cache; Adam Blair, James Gavet and Simon Mannering are my starting middle forwards.

Coach Stephen Kearney wouldn't have signed Paasi (or any other new recruit) to play reserve grade. He has assessed what the Warriors need after consistently suggesting that numerous players weren't up to NRL standard and has flipped the playing roster on its head, so I think it's safe to assume that Paasi has been recruited to play consistent minutes. Paasi does have a niggly injury history, which is why the depth is important and I doubt the Warriors threw buckets of cash Paasi's way.

Both Pulu and Paasi are returning to Auckland after establishing themselves as NRL regulars at the Titans. The lure of coming home would have allowed the Warriors to save a bit of money and while it's based purely on connecting dots, I'd suggest the two are inter-twined; as Tongans from Auckland, who both went to Keebra Park High School, Paasi and Pulu would have got close to each other at Gold Coast Titans. Maybe 'compassionate grounds' means that Paasi was sad to see his homie leave?

Paasi and Pulu also have the fact that they have paid their dues, in common. Pulu had to battle away in reserve grade for a number of years (plus a stint in France) before cracking the NRL and although Paasi made his NRL debut with the Warriors, he had to do time in reserve grade in Auckland and Australia before blossoming on the GC. Both also flourished under coach Neil Henry, not only that, they were snatched out of reserve grade by Henry and now that Henry's no longer coach, it's funny that the two tokos have left.

All you need to do is think of how ruthless a Warriors middle group featuring Gavet, Paasi and Pulu will be. I've got Satae in that mix as well and those four will demand cult-hero status at Mt Smart.

There was also news of Nathaniel Roache extending his contract to 2020. Roache was already under contract for 2018, he's just boosted that contract out for two more years, so nothing crazy there. This overlaps nicely with Issac Luke's tenure with the Warriors and Luke is effectively playing for a contract as this is his last year of his current contract, making this a super funky situation for the Warriors and locking up Roache long-term will give them some wiggle room with Luke.

I'm positive about Luke and don't really understand the negativity around him, so I can see the Warriors signing him for another year or two on less money. Anyone who thinks that Roache will start ahead of Luke next season is bonkers and I could go into depth about why Luke's still all good, I'll save that one up though. The Luke/Roache combination behind this brewing forward pack is exciting though and Roache is perfectly suited to the x-factor utility role off the bench.

Back to the glorious Rugby League World Cup.

Peace and love 27.

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