NRL 2023: Former Rabbitohs star Jaxson Paulo opens up on death threat and why Bondi feels like ‘home’

From death threats and being told joining the Tricolours was the worst decision he’s made, Jaxson Paulo has emerged as one of the Sydney Roosters’ ‘best’ players.

Jaxson Paulo celebrates a double against Souths. NRL Imagery

Sydney Roosters winger Jaxson Paulo has gone from death threats and being told defecting from Redfern to Bondi is ‘the worst mistake’ of his life, only to emerge as one of the side’s best players according to new coach Trent Robinson.

Speaking for the first time since copping abuse on social media for an error-riddled game for the Rabbitohs against Penrith back in round 23, Paulo said he was shocked that the vitriol came from so-called South Sydney fans.

“No one really thinks that that‘s going to come out, especially from supporters that you think have got your back through thick and thin,” Paulo said.

“I‘ve seen a bit of it, it’s not really the true diehard supporters.

Jaxson Paulo celebrates a double against South Sydney. Picture: NRL Imagery

“I spoke to my family saying I‘m (all) right, they were just worried about me more than anything. I sat there and spoke to them about it and just said, ’Look, it’s a game. Stuff happens. I’ll come back bigger and better’.”

At the time, the Rabbitohs supported Paulo through that tough period but the outside back only went on to play one more game in the club’s run into the finals.

Just days after the death threats, the Roosters signed Paulo on a two-year deal.

This time, he copped stick, of a light-natured kind, from fans on the street for linking with South Sydney’s arch rivals.

“You get some people saying, ‘You made the worst mistake of your life’ and you’ve got others saying, ’It’s the best decision you’ve ever made’,” Paulo revealed.

Now, the 23-year old says he has put the worst behind him and feels at “home” in the Tricolours.

Paulo credited premiership winning coach Robinson for helping simplify his game, and the Roosters are reaping the results.

Paulo has scored four tries in first three matches as a Rooster and will look to add to that tally against Parramatta on Thursday night.

“Trent drops it right back to the basics and just shows you the little things that you need in your game, just little effort areas around your game to make those big moments shine. I think the little areas, that‘s what I’ve figured out, create the big moments,” Paulo said.

“That’s the one thing that I’ve taken out of this year.”

The feelings of admiration between player and coach are mutual.

Robinson revealed the Bondi club had been keeping tabs on Paulo since coming through the ranks on the Gold Coast.

“There’s a natural ability to him. He’s got an ease about the way he moves and plays. We felt like there was a really athletic style. He had a lot of the tools,” Robinson said.

“We saw him from a young age up at the Gold Coast, and then we saw some of the issues last year.

Paulo copped abuse from South Sydney fans when he was forced out of the club..

“We have gone about to assist that confidence in his position and his play to produce.

“He’s done that extremely well. He’s been one of our best players over the first three rounds.”

While Robinson was impressed with the way Paulo dealt with the social media abuse, the coach saved his biggest praise for the mental resilience shown when coming up against his former side in highly-anticipated round three clash.

Paulo recovered from an early defensive blunder that led to an Alex Johnston try to score a double of his own.

“Three rounds in he has to go and play against them. And he goes and has a try scored against in the first 10 or 15 minutes from AJ (Johnston) down the wing. A lot of that stuff can come up.” Robinson said.

“I feel like that game showed maturity. He had to play his former club, got beaten on a pass and a kick and then he nailed his role, came back and was triumphant.

“That’s a snapshot of the work he has done and where he has got to as a player.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: Former Rabbitohs star Jaxson Paulo opens up on death threat and why Bondi feels like ‘home’