League: Agnatius Paasi out to pass the big test

Agnatius Paasi is looking forward to taking on Melbourne's star-studded pack. Photo / Getty Images

Warriors front rower Agnatius Paasi is looking forward to testing himself against Melbourne's twin towers Jesse Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona in this afternoon's NRL clash at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland.

The in-form 26-year-old has been a stand-out performer in the pack with his fearless running giving the Warriors much-needed go-forward through the middle and creating room for the side's playmakers.

Paasi was superb in last week's dominant win over Brisbane, making three line breaks, 163 metres from 13 carries, and 23 tackles, before finishing with a try-assist and crossing for their fifth and final four-pointer.

The reigning premiers have plenty of attacking class and the home side is preparing for a torrid forward battle with Paasi eager to measure himself against the Storm's Kiwi international front row pair.

"I'm excited. I try to compare myself to them and we'll see how I go," said Paasi. "They've got two Kiwis starting, so I've got to match them physically and get into that battle.

"They both like to run hard and have a bit of footwork, so it's just about getting up in the line and meeting them head on, getting in front of them and stopping their momentum. It's just about the whole pack working together and cutting them down.

"Everyone just needs to do their job. For me, it's about doing those little things right and helping the team get on the front foot and get that momentum going and just charging on to the ball."

The Warriors suffered a blow yesterday with five-eighth Blake Green ruled out with a rib injury.

Mason Lino will replace Green in the No6 role.

Green is expected to be back for next Sunday's away game against the Titans, while Peta Hiku also drops out of the reserves.

Melbourne have also had some disruption, with 24-year-old Wellington-born Jahrome Hughes moving into halfback, and Brodie Croft and Tui Kamikamica dropping out of the extended squad.

The Storm are strengthened, however, by the return of State of Origin stars Billy Slater, Josh Addo-Carr, Will Chambers, Cameron Munster and Felise Kaufusi. Today's game kicks off at 4pm.

Warriors: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), David Fusitu'a, Gerard Beale, Solomone Kata, Ken Maumalo, Mason Lino, Shaun Johnson, James Gavet, Issac Luke, Agnatius Paasi, Isaiah Papali'i, Simon Mannering, Adam Blair. Interchange: Jazz Tevaga, Chris Satae, Joseph Vuna, Karl Lawton, Bunty Afoa, Anthony Gelling.