NRL 2022: Junior Paulo crowned ironman after most games played in year

After inspiring the Parramatta Eels to a grand final and Samoa to a world cup final, Junior Paulo has been crowned the NRL’s ironman. See the NRL’s most durable players of 2022.

Who was the NRL's 'ironman' of 2022?

He led Parramatta to an NRL grand final and has inspired giant-killing Samoa to this weekend’s World Cup final – and now Junior Paulo can be crowned rugby league’s number one ironman.

In an extraordinary display of endurance and toughness, Paulo has topped a list for most games played throughout 2022 with 36.

He is the undisputed champion - the Samoan Superman.

And all 36 matches have been played in rugby league’s fiercest and most unenviable position - as a middle forward.

The 123kg Paulo played 26 NRL games for the Eels, three matches for NSW in State of Origin, five World Cup matches and a trial match.

He will finish one clear of three players locked on 35 games – Isaiah Papali’i, Josh Papalii and Oregon Kaufusi.

Paulo has played a total of 1715 minutes this season heading into the World Cup final against Australia at Old Trafford, running for 3970 metres – nearly four kilometres - and logging 1408 post-contact metres.

Still charging: Junior Paulo carting it up in Origin and he’s still going for Samoa. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Parramatta players dominated the list for most matches which also included two Cowboys - Val Holmes and Peta Hiku - one Rabbitoh, Keaon Koloamatangi, and a veteran Sea Eagle, Kieran Foran, now contracted to Gold Coast.

Only two players on the final list were props – Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Eels teammates but opponents in Sunday morning’s final.

Paulo averaged nearly 50 minutes a game this year and has been the driving force behind Samoa’s historic push into the World Cup final.

“And Junior is in the engine room. Look at what he gets through in the middle – the contact they deal with, the up-and-back, turning, chasing. It’s not just carting the ball for the front rower anymore. They have to be in the kick chase line now,” said Eels legend Nathan Hindmarsh.

“Junior is the style of front-rower that everyone would want in their club. Everyone would want Junior Paulo in their club, for sure, 100 per cent. He is definitely one of my favourites to watch.

“He has a smart footy head on his shoulders, has good footwork for a giant boy and has a big ticker as well, as you know because that’s why we are doing this story.

Samoa captain Junior Paulo has one more game to go in what has been a massive season for the Eels big man. Picture: Getty Images.

“Junior is one of the fittest front-rowers for his size, if not the fittest front rower for his size going around. The amount of work he gets through is phenomenal for someone as big as he is.

“He is a different shape. We’ve got guys like Jesse Bromwich and Reagan Campbell-Gillard but Junior has that bulky fitness about him.

“I was lucky enough to do a bit of training with him when I first retired and he is probably the hardest bloke I have ever tried to tackle. His body is so thick and hard to wrap up. And he has that late footwork.

“Junior has been outstanding and probably deserves to have this story done on him to be honest with you.”

At 28 years old, Paulo still has another five to six years remaining in the NRL, provided he remains injury-free. He is contracted at Parramatta until the end of 2026.

Paulo’s heroic on-field performances aren’t the only attraction for Eels chief executive Jim Sarantinos.

“He has obviously shown a hell of a lot of toughness, endurance and resilience to get through so many games and hopefully he can finish it in the best way possible by leading his country to a World Cup victory,” Sarantinos said.

“Junior is a terrific leader and great role model for all of his teammates and he is at the club long-term. He leads more so by his actions than his words. When he does speak, people listen. He also does a lot for the community and is as good an ambassador that a club could ask for.”

Paulo’s World Cup final dreams kick off at 3am on Sunday.

Originally published as NRL 2022: Junior Paulo crowned ironman after most games played in year