The Warriors prop narrowly missed out on a State of Origin debut for NSW this year and was averaging a career-best 161 metres per game before going down in June. He is expected to return for the third-placed Warriors' finals tilt and will remain at the Auckland club through 2029. But since Flanagan's exit the prop has gone on to become a mainstay of the youthful pack deployed by Dean Young. Pasifiki Tonga has played 13 games this season and been elevated to a starting front-row berth under Young. "I'm really excited to be extending my time here at the Dragons under Dean Young," Pasifiki Tonga said.