Joseph Paulo, a former NRL forward, has signed a new deal that will see him continue his rugby league journey—this time in the Newcastle Rugby League competition with the Western Suburbs Rosellas.
Paulo, who last played in the NRL in 2018, brings a wealth of experience to the competition leaders. Over an 11-year NRL career, he made 167 appearances across three clubs: Penrith Panthers (2008–2011), Parramatta Eels (2011–2015), and Cronulla Sharks (2016–2018). On the international stage, Paulo represented Samoa 12 times and the United States six times, while also earning selections for the NRL All Stars and NSW City.
His signing comes after over a year of talks with the Rosellas. Head coach Rick Stone revealed:
“He was thinking about getting a game last year, but it didn’t quite work out for us. He’s an experienced forward who’s played at a high level for a long time. I think he had a bit of an itch to scratch, and we were looking for someone to strengthen our depth.”
Paulo joins a growing list of former NRL players at the Rosellas, including Cory Denniss, Kevin Naiqama, and Will Smith. Former Newcastle Knights winger Nathan Ross may also link up with the team, although his current status is uncertain following a recent back injury suffered during a boxing bout.
Stone highlighted Paulo’s leadership and skill as a key asset.
“He’s good mates with Kevin Naiqama, who he played with at St Helens. To have a quality person like that—who brings footy intelligence, experience, and great skill—is invaluable. He’s ready to go.”
Paulo’s return to the field adds another layer of firepower to the Rosellas’ 2025 campaign, underlining their ambition to remain at the top of the Newcastle Rugby League ladder.
