Paseka eyeing NSW debut as Achilles comeback gathers speed

Manly forward Taniela Paseka has set his sights on a NSW State of Origin debut as he looks to make an immediate impact in his return from an Achilles rupture. 

The 28-year-old suffered the season-ending injury in Round 3 last year and has spent the past 11 months slowly working back to full fitness. 

Paseka reached a major milestone when he lined up in Manly's final Witzer Pre-Season Challenge clash and hopes to make a successful start to the season against the Raiders on Saturday night. 

From there, the Tongan international is aiming high as he chases a new representative honour in the coming months.

"I want to play good consistent footy and it would be nice to put a Blues jersey on," Paseka told NRL.com. "Right now I'm just thinking about playing well for Manly, playing consistently for the team. 

"It's been 11 months since I last played so I'm excited to get back out on the field here in front of our home fans."

Paseka was entering his prime prior to his injury and produced a pair of outstanding seasons in 2023 and 2024. 

The prop averaged more than 120 running metres a game in both seasons and played a key role in the Sea Eagles charge to the finals two years ago.

It's stats like this that give Paseka confidence he can crack the State of Origin arena and he has plenty of backers supporting his quest. 

Manly coach Anthony Seibold has long seen his charge's potential and backed Paseka to join the ranks of the game's elite props. 

"Before I came here I thought he had so much potential as a front rower," Seibold said. "I felt like he was heading towards being a top-five front rower before his injury last year. 

"I've got that much faith in him as a player, I feel like he's coming to the best part of his career from an age point of view. It takes a bit of time for front rowers to develop but now he's coming to the best period of his career. 

"He can shoot for being an elite front rower and we signed him long term because we feel he can get there."

Paseka's 2025 campaign ended in an instant when he felt his Achilles snap just 22 minutes into a dominant Round 3 victory over the Raiders. 

An arduous recovery process followed, the prop undergoing surgery before commencing the lengthy journey back to full health. 

The injury left Paseka with plenty of time away from football and he completed a Cert 3 in fitness to keep his mind off the disappointment of sitting out nearly a full season. 

The course has triggered further study, which Paseka credits with helping overcome the mental demons of a long-term injury.

"It was tough," he said. "It was my first season-ending injury so trying to wrap my head around the fact I won't be able to play any footy for a year was tough. 

"I've got a good support system, I've got my family at home and all the people here at the club. The coaches here supported me through that. 

"I was studying last year when I hurt myself, so that helped a lot. I was doing a Cert 3 in fitness, I'm starting the Cert 4 this year and then I'm going to do a small business and entrepreneurship course this year as well. They're a few things that get my mind off whatever is happening."

The 2026 draw has done Manly plenty of favours to start the season, with the Sea Eagles having three home games and a bye in the opening four weeks of the season. 

The schedule provides the perfect platform for a side desperate to rebound from a disappointing 2025 campaign. 

Injuries to multiple forwards tested Manly's depth up front and they struggled to maintain a consistent level week to week.

It will be all hands on deck to start the season, with Haumole Olakau'atu back from a shoulder operation and Jake Trbojevic returning from a series of head knocks suffered last year. 

The next generation will also be on display throughout the campaign. Teenaged-prop Simione Laiafi is expected to make his debut at some point this year and Caleb Navale should take another step forward. 

Paseka concedes it was difficult watching his side struggle last season but hopes to lead a turnaround in 2026. 

"Last year was tough," Paseka said. "We've had a lot of injured boys, Jake got hurt, Haumole got hurt. 

"This year we're keen to get back into it. It's all part of the game, you get hurt and you can't really control that but we're excited to start the season."