St Helens' Agnatious Paasi opens up on injury battle and emotional playing return
St Helens' Agnatious Paasi has spoken of his emotional return - and delight at seeing the controversial tackle technique that crocked him finally binned.
The big Tongan prop faces London today after recently making his comeback against Catalans after TEN months out. He suffered major knee and ankle injuries after a tackle from Leigh captain John Asiata in last July’s Challenge Cup semi-final. Although not illegal then, the style of low tackle has since been outlawed.
Fans favourite Paasi, 32, has spoken publicly about the incident for the first time. He said: “It should have been outlawed many years ago. But that was out of our hands. I’m just happy they are now. Those kinds of tackles can end careers.
“Unfortunately, I was one of those who had a long spell out of the game due to it. But I don’t hold any grudges. He said sorry. And it wasn’t banned then. It’s just the way it is. I’m just grateful the Super League has banned it now. And I’m just glad I’m back and can put my best foot forward.”
Powerhouse Paasi is certainly doing that having made his long-awaited return and is now gearing up for his second match. He said: “It is great to be back. The standing ovation I got from the great Saints fans when I got on the field [against Catalans], I had a teardrop in my eye. It was overwhelming. It still gives me goosebumps. I’ll cherish that forever.
“It had been a hard ten months with that injury but just to get out there with the boys again it felt good and like I was back to normality. I was always confident I’d return but the first couple of months I couldn’t really do anything after the op’ and it gets to your head. I was lucky it was during the holidays so I got to spend time with my family and they were cheering me up.
“I lost my way a bit being overweight and everything. But once I was four or five months in and could start doing weights and running again, that’s when I really got my head down.”
St Helens' Agnatious Paasi celebrates after scoring against Wigan last year before injury struck
Boss Paul Wellens is delighted to get the ex-Gold Coast star back now, especially given Saints have seen fellow forwards Alex Walmsley, Morgan Knowles and Matt Whitley all suffer long-term injuries of their own. Paasi, who joined from New Zealand Warriors in 2021, added: “We’ve got some players out but by the time they come back it’ll be at a good time where we’re charging into the end of the season.
“That will be great for us. It’s a long season. I’m just happy to be back and helping the team again. A lot of young boys are getting lots of game-time. They have really stepped up and they’ll be ready to step up if this happens again.”
Having spent last week off due to the Challenge Cup final, Saints will reclaim top spot from champions Wigan if they win in London today. Paasi, part of Saints’ Grand Final-winning sides of 2021 and 2022 and the team which lifted the World Club Challenge at Penrith last year, maintained: “We’re not looking too far ahead.
“But with the team we have now it’s promising and we’re looking good. We just have to keep our foot on pedal, head down, make the play-offs and hopefully we’ll be there at Old Trafford again winning that [Super League] trophy again at the end of the year.”