Spring Internationals: Agnatius Paasi and Peta Hiku Into Aotearoa Kiwis Squad
If anyone out there thought that the player movement between Tonga and Aotearoa was a one-way street, the decision of Agnatius Paasi to slide into Aotearoa Kiwis camp instead of Tonga is an example of individuals making their own footy decisions. Paasi has been called into Kiwis camp, along with Peta Hiku as Corey Harawira-Naera was forced to pull out via groin surgery and as coach Michael Maguire was always going to add another player to the squad, he was forced to add two with the absence of Harawira-Naera.
This means that the Hokianga region up in Northland won't be treated to a Kiwis team with Harawira-Naera, James Fisher-Harris and Adam Blair in it. All three are from Hokianga and I'm fairly confident that Blair will stick around long enough with the Kiwis for the rise of the two young bucks to overlap with Blair's career, so don't lose hope Hokianga.
Hiku earns a call up, although it's hard to see Hiku getting much game time in a Kiwis top-17. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will be fullback and Jahrome Hughes can offer cover there, then we get to Hiku. On the wings, it's a tight battle between Jamayne Isaako and Ken Maumalo to join Jordan Rapana and at centre, Aotearoa has a sizzling Esan Marsters/Joseph Manu duo ready to go. Gerard Beale offers wing and centre depth, then Hiku comes into the frame.
Having said that, Hiku is the perfect bloke to have in the squad because of his versatility. Being on tour means that if an injury or suspension happens, you need to fill that spot with someone who is already there and with Hiku and Beale in the squad, there is great versatility in the depth.
The addition of Paasi will bolster Aotearoa's middle forward stocks. Having been named in Tonga's wider squad, Tonga will be all good without Paasi as they aren't exactly short on robust, dynamic middle forwards with a splash of skill. Paasi wasn't in the squad that faced Samoa earlier this year, which will likely have Tevita Pangai Junior added to it and someone like Moeaki Fotuaika is a possibility of breaking into their top-17 after being named in the squad vs Samoa but not playing.
Tonga's forward pack for that game was; Andrew Fifita, Addin Fonua-Blake, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Manu Ma'u, Jason Taumalolo, Joe Ofahengaue, Peni Terepo and Tevita Tatola.
Pangai Jr will likely slot straight on to the edge spot left vacant by Manu Ma'u's absence. Depending on coach Tristian Woolf's preference, he could move Taukeiaho to the middle (given he started at prop for the Roosters most of this season) and bring in Scott Sorenson, or Ben Murdoch-Masila on to the edge.
I'd expect Sorenson, Murdoch-Masila, Fotuaika or Leivaha Pulu to be in the mix to take Tatola's bench spot from the Test vs Samoa. Hence, I reckon Tonga will be fine without Paasi as they not only have great depth, they have depth of a similar style to Paasi.
With Nelson Asofa-Solomona unavaiable, Aotearoa need a bit of x-factor through the middle and that's what Paasi will offer if he gets game time. Paasi is nicely suited to coming off the bench for 20-25 minutes and going hundies, while Jesse Bromwich and Martin Taupau get a spell. The robust, skillful aggression of Paasi is somewhat unique in this Kiwis squad given there is no Asofa-Solomona or Jason Taumalolo etc.
What makes this nek level funky is that it opens the two-way street between Aotearoa and Tonga. Paasi is one of the few Tongan players who was born in Tonga and most of the players who have gone from Australia or Aotearoa to Tonga recently, were born in either Australia or Aotearoa and not Tonga.
There was a group-think vibe to the Tonga team, which suggested that anyone eligible for Tonga would follow the lead of Taumalolo and Fifita. What we're seeing with Paasi is that it is still very much up to the individual to do what feels right for them. Regardless of who it is making the decision or the context around that decision, all we can do is accept their decision and support that individual in whatever team they play for.
That's from my #KiwiNRL perspective and I have no feelings about Australians other than going with the flow of their decision. The #KiwiNRL energy supports anyone who played the bulk of their junior footy in Aotearoa and this is only the beginning as many more Samoan/Tongan-kiwis are coming through the ranks, meaning that we need to get comfortable with supporting the decisions of individuals.
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Peace and love 27.