Newcastle Knights’ Pasami Saulo knocked back playing for New Zealand’s squad
Newcastle Knights rising star Pasami Saulo is making a name for himself on the NRL stage. The young prop declined a call-up to the junior Kiwis squad to ensure he could play Origin and wear the green and gold for Australia.
You may not know the name Pasami Saulo now, but this rising star is being touted as the next big thing in rugby league.
At just 20 years of age, the kid from Belmont and rising NRL star, is earning plenty of praise for his aggressive style of play as a front rower and his mature head out on the football field.
A product of the Newcastle Knights, Saulo moved his way through the club’s ranks from U16s Harold Matts right through to make his NRL debut against the New Zealand Warriors last year.
Of Samoan and New Zealand heritage, the young prop has also been noticed on the international stage after a call-up to the junior Kiwis.
He got the phone call from Michael Maguire last year to play for New Zealand, but declined that offer. He instead pledged his allegiance to ensure he could play Origin and for Australia.
“It was unexpected. I had a goal that I wanted to play Origin and I wasn’t sure if I played for the Kiwis I’d lose my chance to do that,” Saulo explained.
“It was really hard; my family is half from New Zealand so it was a hard decision to make. I just wanted to play Origin and for where I’m from as well.
“That’s why I knocked it back because I’m more Australian than anything; I was born here and this is my home.
“I spoke to my dad about it because that’s his heritage. He wanted me to play for them but I just thought Australia is my home.”
While life as a now full-time professional footballer is keeping the young Knight busy, it’s off the footy field where he mostly has his hands full.
Together with his partner Kate, Saulo has two boys under the age of two. It keeps him grounded.
“It’s hard but I’m enjoying it. I’ve got two boys, Hikairo my oldest is two and youngest Manuia, one in August,” he said.
“They keep us busy and every day is exciting and always a new mess everywhere.
“My partner does all the hard yards and puts in the work and does a great job.”
She also helps to keep Pasami in check.
“She’s my biggest critic,” Saulo laughed.
“I need someone to tell me when I am playing well or not and what needs work and sets my mind straight.
“It is hard sometimes but I have to accept it.”
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
He was 11. Pasami was living in Sydney and began playing rugby league with Fairfield United. After three years his family moved to Queensland before going back to Newcastle where he joined the Morpeth Bulls and Maitland Pickers.
It wasn’t until Pasami started playing in the U16s Harold Matts competition for the Newcastle Knights, that he really began to take his football seriously, his fitness included.
“I was a bit overweight, my skin folds were a bit high but Matts changed my mentality,” Saulo added.
“Got me working harder and trying to eat properly and what helped me lose weight was riding my bike to training.
“I went up to my grandfather and asked if I could get a bike and he ended up getting me a bike the next week and from that day I just started riding my bike everywhere.
“I would ride my bike to training, ride back.”
He spent two years in U18s SG Ball before he moved to the Under 20s where he was selected in the Australian Schoolboys side in 2016 and the NSW Origin U18s squad.
Still eligible for Jersey Flegg in 2018, the Knights prop played a majority of the season in the Intrust Super Premiership NSW before he made his NRL debut in Round 22 against the New Zealand Warriors.
It was a day he’ll never forget.
“I was here (Knights Wests Mayfield) and I was in the middle of a wrestle session and Nathan Brown just came up to me and said ‘what do you think about playing this week’,” said Saulo.
“I was just over the moon, I couldn’t say anything, my words were all mumbled.
“I called my partner Kate, I wanted to keep it a surprise but I couldn’t help myself.”
He became the 300th player to play NRL for the Knights.
“It’s exciting and scary at the same time. This year I feel ready more than ever because last year I had a taste and this year I feel more confident,” he said.
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