Pauli Pauli: York is a Super League club
Pauli Pauli in action for Salford
New 2022 recruit Pauli Pauli has praised York’s facilities and believes the club belongs in the Super League.
The 27-year-old enjoyed almost 50 games in the NRL during spells at Parramatta Eels and Newcastle Knights before making the switch to Super League.
The forward had two seasons at Wakefield before joining Salford on a permanent basis for 2020. He featured in the club’s Challenge Cup Final defeat that year against Leeds at Wembley.
Pauli also represented Combined Nations All Stars in 2021 in the mid-season test against England at Warrington.
York announced his arrival earlier in October, and the powerful forward believes the club belongs in the top division.
Pauli Pauli praises York
He said: “I’m enjoying it. It’s different to what I’m use to, especially training at night times. York is a lovely place and I’m enjoying it.
“I don’t devalue myself as a player because I came to the Championship. This club in York is a Super League club. I’m hoping to help them up to bring them to Super League.
“When I met James Ford, he made my decision really clear for me to sign for York. My goal this year is to try help York out and hopefully we can make Super League next year.”
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2022 York squad
Pauli Pauli will wear shirt number 12 in the 2022 campaign. He will be joined by Grand Final winner Chris Clarkson in the back-row. Jamie Ellis will wear shirt number seven.
The Championship club welcomed Castleford most recently in pre-season as preparations continue. And Pauli believes the squad and facilities would fit right into Super League.
He also revealed how one of the biggest changes for him was going from training full-time to three days a week with York.
He said: “Everyone’s got skill. Everyone’s got the ability. Just having that transition from the full-time training, that’s the main difference. Most of these players are still growing and learning and they’re all Super League players and hopefully in the future they can get there.
“It’s [the facilities] better than most of the Super League clubs. I’m liking it. It’s an environment where I want to be at the minute.
“It’s good here in York.”
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