The Tigers is likely to be entombed in distress because the membership hits all-time low, however incoming recruit Api Koroisau has no apprehension about becoming a member of the embattled three way partnership.
Key factors:
- Penrith hooker Api Koroisau continues to be wanting ahead to becoming a member of the Wests Tigers in 2023 regardless of the membership’s current struggles
- Koroisau is the three way partnership’s star recruit for subsequent season
- The New South Wales Origin rake is having fun with the very best season of his profession
In reality, whereas Koroisau continues to be completely targeted on ending his time with Penrith with one other premiership, he’ll relish the prospect to start out once more.
Koroisau shapes because the Tigers’ star recruit for 2023 and with the membership reeling after a document 72-6 flogging by the Roosters he cannot arrive at Harmony shortly sufficient.
“I am wanting ahead to beginning once more, that there will not be any expectation. It will all be about how arduous are you able to go understanding no one thinks you will be something,” Koroisau stated.
“You want that typically. You will have inside motivations and driving elements, however when you will have so many exterior ones that discuss you down or are unfavourable in direction of you, you should utilize your ego in that approach.
“You should utilize your ego to pump it up, get it up fast. That’ll be an enormous factor for us.”
Whereas the membership’s different main buy for 2023, Parramatta backrower Isaiah Papali’i, has been dogged by rumours of backing out of his deal, Koroisau has repeatedly caught strong to his future membership after signing in November final 12 months regardless of the Tigers’ struggles.
In an effort to profit from his time left with the Panthers, Koroisau has additionally refused to be distracted by his impending transfer.
“I have not thought in regards to the future a lot. I am making an attempt to focus on being current,” Koroisau stated.
“I have not anxious about it a lot and I do not suppose I’ll.”
The Tigers have a historical past of poor recruitment, however in Koroisau they will be getting one of many competitors’s high hookers on the peak of his powers.
The 29-year outdated is second amongst dummy halves for strive assists with 13, which isn’t solely a profession excessive however greater than double what he managed in his first two seasons with the Panthers mixed.
Koroisau’s significance to Penrith’s hopes of going again to again have been obvious in current weeks when the membership has been taking part in with out first-choice halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai.
The crafty rake was the very best participant on the sector in final week’s late win over the Rabbitohs, making a strive for Liam Martin within the dying phases to steal a 26-22 victory that secured the minor premiership for the Panthers.
“We understood what we did incorrect in opposition to Melbourne and we had a number of issues to repair up,” Koroisau stated.
“After Jaeman (Salmon) ran the ball I used to be getting over to dummy half and tipped him (Martin) up on the best way via.
“It wasn’t deliberate, however you’ll be able to depend on guys like Liam Martin to run arduous. It was solely fourth deal with, so it wasn’t that a lot of a bet.
“We have completed a number of coaching on that, to get that timing. He works actually arduous at his craft.”
