BEFORE pulling on the Warrington Wolves jersey every week, Joe Philbin and Sitaleki Akauola make a pact with each other.

In that agreement, they strive to “cause mayhem” for an opposition defence to build on the groundwork laid by those who start in the front row – invariably Chris Hill and Mike Cooper – while they watch on from the bench.

They may come from different sides of the world but they are cut from the same cloth – both love inflicting maximum damage with ball in hand.

Warringtonian Philbin thinks it is an alliance that is working well.

“It started back in 2018 when we were on the bench together most weeks,” he said.

“We have a little agreement between us to change the energy of the game when we get on the pitch.

“It’s a real slog at the start and Hilly and Coops really grind down the defence.

“Me and Sita have a little bond with each other and we agree between ourselves to come on and cause mayhem for their tired defenders.”

Philbin was just starting to carve out a niche for himself as a devastating interchange when Akauola arrived from Penrith Panthers ahead of the 2018 campaign.

Now in his third season as a bona fide first-team regular, the 25-year-old has made no secret of his desire to become a starting middle for The Wire in the past.

Now a Great Britain international, the “up and coming” tag can be well and truly shaken off.

“I’d say I’m getting to that next stage in my development now. I’m trying to work on my leadership qualities in and around the team,” he said.

“Going forward, I have got big aspirations in the game.

“I do play week in, week out so now it’s about progressing every day in training and living the right life off the field.

“We’ve got some exciting young middles and I’d like to think I can be a leader and a standard bearer for them.

“It shows there is a progression there for those players if they’re willing to work hard.

“If they do that, they can have a long and successful career at a great club.

“I have regular dialogue with Steve (Price, head coach) about my aspirations, but I’m aware that I’ve got a bit of a niche.

“I’m an energetic player and coming on against a tired defence works well for me.

“When I have started games, I feel I’ve done well but I want to be part of a successful team and my role in that for now is coming off the bench and bringing the energy.”

And to think that when Philbin was coming through the Warrington academy and breaking into the first team, he was billed as a second rower.

The former Culcheth Eagles and Latchford Albion junior admits he never saw himself as a prop forward in his younger days.

Now, he cannot imagine himself anywhere else on the field.

“I think my second row days are long, long gone now!” he joked.

“I remember when I was 19 and playing in the back row, I used to think I could never be a middle because they put in a lot more graft.

“I think I’ve found my home in the middle now for sure.”