"Easy decision": Knights enforcer reveals why he made Hunter homecoming
Newcastle Knights prop Pasami Saulo describes his choice to return to the Hunter as an "easy decision," aiming to rejuvenate his injury-stricken NRL journey with a strong kickoff in 2026.
"It was a tough one," Saulo stated when reflecting on the preseason experience.
"They (coaching staff) helped us all get a better connection with each other and dig deeper and to like know who we are.
"Over that preseason, we've gotten the best connection we could, and even till now, we just keep learning about each other and how we want to play, and that's what we're working to."
Saulo etched his name in Knights history as the 300th player to debut for the club in round 22 of the 2018 season.
Following that, the former Australian schoolboy faced numerous severe injuries that hindered his progression in the NRL from 2018 to 2022.
His setbacks included a hand fracture, finger tendon issues, and a severe ankle fracture-dislocation sustained during a NSW Cup match in 2021, resulting in prolonged rehabilitation.
With a strong competition for spots among forwards, including the Saifiti brothers and David Klemmer, Saulo decided to join the Canberra Raiders, relocating in 2023 after making 27 NRL appearances over five seasons.
His performance soared that season, participating in 22 games and injecting significant aggression and depth into Ricky Stuart's forward pack, which led to a contract extension to keep him in Canberra until the conclusion of 2026.