Agnatius Paasi set to re-sign with the Gold Coast Titans

THE Titans are set to retain Agnatius Paasi until the end of 2018 with the in-form prop poised to sign a new contract.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 19: Agnatius Paasi of the Titans runs with the ball during the round three NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Wests Tigers at Cbus Super Stadium on March 19, 2016 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Jason O'Brien/Getty Images)

NEW Zealand Test hopeful Agnatius Paasi will shun interest from Sydney clubs to sign a new deal to stay at the Titans until the end of 2018.

Paasi was so poor he could not afford to buy a car 15 months ago and was catching a bus to training as part of a $900-a-week trial deal to prove himself at the Titans.

When he runs out to face the Sharks at Southern Cross Stadium, Paasi will charge into the Cronulla pack safe in the knowledge he has a long-term future in the NRL.

One of the code’s most improved players, the 110kg prop was a revelation at the Nines tournament in February and his start to the 2016 campaign has piqued the interest of Sydney-based NRL rivals.

Paasi is currently contracted to the Titans for next season, but coach Neil Henry has been so impressed he wants to upgrade the 24-year-old for 2017 and deliver a further 12-month extension.

The Titans began talks last Monday and Paasi has told the club he has no plans to leave. A two-year upgrade would be worth around $400,000, a sum Paasi never imagined possible when he briefly left behind his partner and baby son in New Zealand two years ago to chase his NRL dream.

“We’re looking at ways to extend him and keep him at the club,” Henry said ahead of the Sharks showdown.

“Iggy came here with an opportunity to play. He’s worked really hard to not only fight his way into the team but also stay there.

“He doesn’t want to go anywhere. He’s happy here and we’re happy with him.

“Hopefully we can come to some arrangement and lock him up long-term ... Iggy deserves all he gets really.”

Last season, Paasi was one of the worst defenders in the league, with opponents regularly exploiting his poor lateral movement in defence.

RETURN: Holland ready for first grade recall

RAT: Broncos deny rift

But a bumper off-season that saw Paasi shun fast food and strip 5kg from his frame has helped his fitness, mobility and ability to compete with the NRL’s elite forwards.

After five rounds, the Tongan-born torpedo is averaging 102 metres and 21 tackles per game and hopes to clinch a maiden Kiwi Test jumper for this year’s Four Nations.

Veteran Titans prop Luke Douglas said Paasi, who idolised the late All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu, had become a valuable member of the Gold Coast’s forward rotation.

“He’s been great for us,” Douglas said. “Iggy came over on a train-and-trial contract and moved over by himself and now he’s getting the rewards.

Paasi is one of the most improved players in the competition.

“Sometimes people just need someone to show a bit of confidence in them and give them opportunities and once Iggy got that opportunity, he has taken it and been really good for us.

“He’s a strong, powerful dude, very explosive. He’s got some great skills, too.

“He has to push himself hard. Sometimes in the fitness department, he’s not below by any means but he has to work hard to get through a big session.

“But the positive is that he has that competitive nature and the will to keep going. Some guys take the foot off the pedal and he’s not one of those, that’s a really good trait.”

Originally published as Agnatius Paasi set to re-sign with the Gold Coast Titans