Poasa Faamausili's loan deal to Warriors shows Roosters are 'putting the game first'
Mat Kermeen
21:57, May 28
2020
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Poasa Faamausili, pictured scoring on his NRL debut in 2018, is tipped to join the Warriors on a month-long loan from the Roosters.
He's potentially only one injury away from playing for the Roosters on Friday night but seven days later
Poasa Faamausili will most likely become Warrior #244.
Faamausili — who scored on debut for the two-time NRL champions — will join the Warriors in a groundbreaking four-week loan deal on Sunday and will be eligible to play against the Penrith Panthers in round four.
The NRL has backflipped on the idea of the Gosford-based Warriors being allowed loan players to cover a middle forwards injury crisis after initially turning down the club's request two weeks ago.
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Poasa Faamausili of the Sydney Roosters in action during a trial match against the Manly Sea Eagles in March.
Faamausili remains in the Roosters' 21-man squad for Friday's much-anticipated clash against South Sydney but looks unlikely to play — especially with former Warrior Siosiua Taukeiaho firming as a chance to overcome a hamstring injury.
The Warriors have been in desperate need of reinforcements of big men after injuries to middle forwards
Leeson Ah Mau,
Bunty Afoa,
Jackson Frei and
Jazz Tevaga.
Warriors boss Cameron George told Stuff his club was "very appreciative" of what the Roosters, especially coach Trent Robinson and chief executive Joe Kelly, have done for the club in helping to get the deal across the line.
"They don't have too, but it just demonstrates they are putting the game first and helping us out through a pretty challenging time," George said.
DAVID WHITE/STUFF
Cameron George is grateful to the Roosters and the NRL for making the loan deal a reality.
The initial loan period is set for a minimum of four weeks but George said it will remain flexible for both sides.
"It's set in for four weeks and then obviously if both parties want to review that they can."
But George said on the other side of the coin, the Roosters could call the former Junior Kiwi back within those initial four weeks if the defending premiers were hit with a succession of injuries to their propping stocks.
Faamausili, 24, has played 14 first grade games for the Rooster since his debut in 2018.
He played 11 minutes off the bench in the Roosters' round two 9-8 loss to the Manly Sea Eagles in March.
The Warriors are also grateful to the NRL for reconsidering the club's request, George said.
Faamausili, a cousin of former Penrith Panthers brothers Tony and Frank Puletua, was open to the deal because he knows he's ready to be playing first-grade week in and week out, Robinson said.
Faamausili, who is 1.88m and 108kg, has been stuck behind fellow New Zealanders Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Isaac Liu and Taukeiaho in the Roosters' propping pecking order.
"But he's an NRL player ready to play and he's not currently in our squad," Robinson told reporters on Friday.
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Poasa Faamausili of the Junior Kiwis tackles Junior Kangaroo Dylan Edwards during an international match in Sydney in 2016.
"We believe it's a benefit for us. Obviously New Zealand (Warriors) as well, but for us, [it's] to get a high quality player out there and playing."
Warriors coach Stephen
Kearney was also thankful to the Roosters for loaning a much-needed big man.
"He'll add real value to our squad and we're certainly looking forward to welcoming him into the group here in Terrigal,"
Kearney said.
He confirmed despite the signing of former Raiders forward
Jack Murchie, the club still has one roster spot in the top 30 to fill.
The Auckland-born
Faamausili attended Waitakere College and was a Glenora Bears junior before being recruited by the Roosters.
He played in the age-group grades for the Sydney club. He was part of their SG Ball 18 years grade title-winning team which played in the Rugby League Commonwealth Championships as Australia's representative.
Faamausili was a Junior Kiwi in 2016 and is a former New South Wales under-20s representative.
"They don't have to": Warriors boss "very appreciative" to defending NRL champs.
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