Robinson: Warriors loan deal for Faamausili could spark new system

The Warriors are poised to secure rising Roosters prop Poasa Faamausili on a month-long loan to ease their injury-hit roster.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson has confirmed Faamausili will join the Warriors with his blessing from Sunday after both clubs agreed to the short-term loan.

The NRL last week approved a short-term dispensation for the Warriors to take on loan players from rival clubs, with paperwork around Faamausili’s move now being worked through.

"He's an NRL player ready to play. He's not currently in our squad and we believe it's a benefit for us as well," Robinson said on Friday.

"It's hard to leave your club but it's also he knows he's ready to play. He knows he's ready to play in NRL." 

The Warriors' relocation to the Central Coast has made the NRL’s May 28 restart possible.

But coronavirus restrictions have limited access to players outside their top NRL squad in the face of a severe front-row injury shortage.

Faamausili’s expected arrival in Warriors camp would ease the impact of recent injuries to middle forwards Leeson Ah Mau and Jazz Tevaga, which came on top of already season-ending surgeries for props Bunty Afoa and Jackson Frei.

Faamausili, 24, has played 14 games for the Roosters.

He is contracted with the premiers until the end of 2022, but had previously been given permission to negotiate with Cronulla after being offered as a possible swap option for centre Josh Morris.

Faamausili is slated to be with the Warriors until round nine, by which time Tevaga is expected to return from injury.

The Roosters are scheduled to play the Kiwi side in round 11, by which time Faamausili will be back in red, white and blue.

Having seen player loans at work during his time in English Super League, Robinson believes the Warriors temporary loan dispensation could lead to a fully fledged transfer system coming into the NRL.

"I think having our best players across all teams being able to play, that's a real benefit." he said.

"Obviously there's different teams that go through injury crises at different times, and then to be able to share that.

"It's quite unique in New Zealand's situation, the way that it's all worked out. But you know I think they'll look at this and see how it pans out, starting with Po and then possibly another player or two."