Agnatius Paasi: Tonga World Cup hopeful commits to St Helens

Tonga international Agnatius Paasi has signed a new one-year contract extension with St Helens, but has indicated he wants to stay even longer.

The 30-year-old has made 36 appearances for Kristian Woolf’s side since arriving ahead of the 2021 season from the NRL.

Paasi, who has made more than 100 appearances in the NRL for Gold Coast Titans and New Zealand Warriors, will be hoping to play in his first World Cup for Tonga this autumn.

Paasi said: “I am really happy to stay here for at least another season.

“My partner and kids are happy here and I am just doing my job out there and giving it my all and I am happy to stay for another year.

“My manager is speaking to Rushy (Mike Rush, chief executive) and hopefully we can stay even longer, I am enjoying it and if it is possible to stay for longer I will do that.”

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Woolf said: “It’s a great sign of where our squad is heading that Iggy wants to carry on with us.

“I worked with him over in Australia and with Tonga and I knew that if we got him fit, that he would have a big impact on this team.

“He is a popular member of the squad and he has had a massive impact with us. He has a great skill set, offload game and I like what he does defensively for us. He’ll continue to improve and he fits the role we want from him perfectly.”

Paasi helped champions St Helens win the Super League Grand Final and Challenge Cup in his first season