Sariah Paki is the type of character that has as much of an impact off the field as she does on.
Paki, who was the youngest ever debutant as a 17-year-old, has been a consistent fixture in the squad since bursting onto the scene at the end of 2017.
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The 22-year-old earned the 'big girl' moniker thanks to her brutal style of play, often the first to run out and make an impact on defence.
She has the personality off the field to match it, with teammates often quick to nominate Paki as the chief comedian of the squad.
“Her energy is just infectious,” captain Charlotte Caslick said to Rugby.com.au.
“No matter if she's getting heaps of minutes and starting every game or if she's not getting as many minutes for whatever reason, she always just has such a beautiful impact on the group in terms of her energy and nature and just adding value wherever she can.”
Former Waratah and Head of Athletic Performance Tom Carter is the prime target for Paki, likely revenge for the constant 'crunning' sessions Carter puts the team through to ensure they are the fittest and fastest on the World Series.
“I don’t know if anything has changed, but I think just adding value to character to this crew,” Paki points to as the biggest change since her debut.
Even if she may be a little camera shy, the one-liners still flow naturally.
When asked about a potential switch to the 15s, she remarks "I don’t know (where I’d play). I hear someone say flanker to me but honestly, I don’t really know the positions (compared from Sevens to 15s). I just watch Alysia (Lefau-Fakaosilea) and I just want to be next to her.”
Paki admits seeing 18-year-olds like Heidi Dennis come in makes her feel old, despite still being one of the younger players in the squad.
The close nature of the squad allows Paki to be herself and she is always quick to try and create an environment that can deflate the pressures of the World Series and an Olympics.
“I feel like every individual brings all different kinds of attributes and I think it’s what brings us all together," Paki believes.
“I like (lightening it up), bringing that character to the crew and not always being in a serious environment every day when you come in here."
