Wakefield Trinity: Power-packed prop Pauli set for role change

AUSTRALIAN FORWARD Pauli Pauli is buzzing after his first taste of Betfred Super League.
Pauli Pauli.Pauli Pauli.
Pauli Pauli.

Pauli made his competitive debut for Wakefield Trinity in their 28-6 round-one win at Hull KR and reckons he is going to enjoy playing in England.

Trinity overcame a tricky first hurdle and the strong-running 23-year-old, who is on a one-year contract, said: “It was a good way to start.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It is good to play with the boys in Super League, it is different to the NRL and it was a great experience.

Tom Johnstone.Tom Johnstone.
Tom Johnstone.

“It was good to see the boys doing well and hopefully we will move on from here.

“We have got Salford this week and I’m looking forward to it.

“They are going to be another hard challenge, but the boys are going to turn up every week.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Tom Johnstone was at the heart of Trinity’s win, scoring a spectacular hat-trick in his first Super League game since suffering a serious knee injury last April.

Chris Chester. Picture Tony Johnson.Chris Chester. Picture Tony Johnson.
Chris Chester. Picture Tony Johnson.

The winger has already impressed his new team-mate, who described him as an “awesome player”.

“He has just come back from injury and it is good to see a young fella come back and play like he did,” Pauli said.

“Congratulations to him and hopefully he does that every week.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Meanwhile, Pauli has confirmed he is set for a switch of roles in the near-future.

Tom Johnstone.Tom Johnstone.
Tom Johnstone.

The former Parramatta Eels and Newcastle Knights forward came off the bench against Hull KR and has arrived at Wakefield as a prop, but coach Chris Chester is keen to move him into the back-row.

He said: “I just need to lose some weight first.

“Chezzy wants me to drop a few kilos before I start playing back-row.

“Until then I’ll be playing front-row.”