OFFICIAL Apisai Koroisau #263

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WESTS TIGERS

Recruit watch: Api Koroisau​

Corey Rosser NRL Reporter
Sat 7 Jan 2023, 06:01 AM

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The NRL market has been in full swing for 2023 with several stars switching clubs ahead of the new season.

NRL.com takes a look at the major transfers and how your club will benefit from a star arrival.

Api Koroisau (Wests Tigers)​


What Koroisau can bring

For the majority of his career Koroisau has been part of successful sides who have won plenty of games.

The Fijian dummy-half has played in four Grand Finals for two separate clubs, winning three of them, and across 170 first-grade appearances has come out on the winning side 62 percent of the time.

That doesn't mean his signing will automatically turn a team who finished last in 2022 into premiership contenders in the space of 12 months, but there is no doubt his winning mindset and standards will be a good thing for his new teammates, many of whom haven't won a lot at NRL level so far.

The club have also been crying out for a No.9 with experience ever since Robbie Farah retired in 2019, and since then they have tried a bunch of players in the position with varying levels of success.

Koroisau arrives with a track record of getting the job done at club, state and international level.

Api splits them to get on the board

Api splits them to get on the board

Why it’ll work​

Between the players they've added for 2023, and those they have been developing over the last season or two, the Wests Tigers have the makings of a strong forward pack.

They needed to make sure they had someone who could direct them around the park, and for at least the next two seasons they have that in Koroisau, who will also take a bunch of pressure off Luke Brooks and his likely halves partner Adam Doueihi on the attacking side of the ball.

Koroisau was one of the senior figures at the Panthers as they blooded a bunch of young talent over the past three years, and as the Wests Tigers also bring through their next generation - with players like Fonua Pole, Justin Matamua and Jake Simpkin - he will play a key role in their development.
 
I have a sneaky suspicion that Api is going to be the key for us. Such an under-the-radar type of player that makes others around him look and play better. Has won THREE premierships guiding the team around the park. So happy we got Api!
 

Api Koroisau impressed by Robbie Farah as the Wests Tigers' rebuild begins​

Api Koroisau has highlighted how impressed he has been at training with the input from Wests Tigers’ assistant coach Robbie Farah, believing there is still plenty for him to learn about the intricacies around the dummy-half role from the club legend.

“I think experience is invaluable and when someone like Robbie talks - he’s done it all - you just have to listen and take it on board,” Koroisau said.

Api Koroisau one of four big signings tasked with turning the Tigers around
The three-time premiership-winning hooker has built a reputation for manipulating markers with his subtle body movement out of the ruck and clever use of angles to generate opportunities in attack yet has been picking up some useful tips off Farah as pre-season kicks into overdrive.

“It was pretty cool actually, and Robbie gave me some great pointers," Koroisau said.

“They’re not afraid to pick me up on what I’m trying to get done for the team and what they need me to do. I think this is going to work really well.”

Koroisau is one of four players who have been tasked with helping to rebuild the club after their previous campaign resulted in Michael Maguire being sacked and interim coach Brett Kimmorley presiding over five straight losses to finish the season as the joint venture collected their first ever wooden spoon.

He has been joined by Isaiah Papali’i, David Klemmer and John Bateman at Concord with the Tigers focusing on improving their forward stocks.

Koroisau’s ability to control the speed of the ruck will be vital in helping to get the team on a roll through their sets which is something they particularly struggled with last season.

In fact, their inability to make yardage - only the New Zealand Warriors ranked lower for total metres made per game - continually came back to bite them in their 20 losses during 2022.

They’ve sought to rectify this weakness with the addition of their big-name signings who provide mongrel, metres and smarts through the middle.

Papali’i finished in the top 10 for total metres made, while Klemmer’s appetite to chew through yardage was impressive despite the former New South Wales and Australia representative enduring a difficult year at the struggling Knights.

Meanwhile, the arrival of the feisty former Raider puts a cherry on top of an impressive recent recruitment drive.

Bateman adds a genuine x-factor in attack for a side which was the lowest scoring in the league last year.

The Englishman is a master at making use of every little advantage garnered with a stiff fend on a retreating defender or a scurry through the line becoming his trademark throughout his first spell in the NRL.

Koroisau calls for patience as rebuild at the Tigers begins​

After over a decade without experiencing finals footy, the four signings have lifted the mood around the camp and has fans harbouring hopes of a fabled top eight finish.

The players they have tied to long-term deals have undoubtedly been of a different calibre to the ones when the club last opened their cheque book and plumped for the waning powers of Josh Reynolds, Russell Packer and Ben Matulino.

Expectations are suddenly sky-high as a result of this spending spree, yet Koroisau urged patience.

“We all want to win a premiership but the most important thing right now for us is getting the fundamentals right,” he said.

“We’ve got to get the most out of the next five weeks, make sure we have a good pre-season and when the trials come around, we look like a footy team.”

Despite struggling with the decision to leave Penrith, where he won back-to-back titles, Koroisau pointed out how ultimately his close ties to the Tigers proved to be one of the deciding factors in his move.

“This was my club when I was growing up,” he revealed.

“I’m really excited to be here and to be a part of something special with the rebuild.”
 
Lauren said:

Api Koroisau impressed by Robbie Farah as the Wests Tigers' rebuild begins​

Api Koroisau has highlighted how impressed he has been at training with the input from Wests Tigers’ assistant coach Robbie Farah, believing there is still plenty for him to learn about the intricacies around the dummy-half role from the club legend.

“I think experience is invaluable and when someone like Robbie talks - he’s done it all - you just have to listen and take it on board,” Koroisau said.

Api Koroisau one of four big signings tasked with turning the Tigers around
The three-time premiership-winning hooker has built a reputation for manipulating markers with his subtle body movement out of the ruck and clever use of angles to generate opportunities in attack yet has been picking up some useful tips off Farah as pre-season kicks into overdrive.

“It was pretty cool actually, and Robbie gave me some great pointers," Koroisau said.

“They’re not afraid to pick me up on what I’m trying to get done for the team and what they need me to do. I think this is going to work really well.”

Koroisau is one of four players who have been tasked with helping to rebuild the club after their previous campaign resulted in Michael Maguire being sacked and interim coach Brett Kimmorley presiding over five straight losses to finish the season as the joint venture collected their first ever wooden spoon.

He has been joined by Isaiah Papali’i, David Klemmer and John Bateman at Concord with the Tigers focusing on improving their forward stocks.

Koroisau’s ability to control the speed of the ruck will be vital in helping to get the team on a roll through their sets which is something they particularly struggled with last season.

In fact, their inability to make yardage - only the New Zealand Warriors ranked lower for total metres made per game - continually came back to bite them in their 20 losses during 2022.

They’ve sought to rectify this weakness with the addition of their big-name signings who provide mongrel, metres and smarts through the middle.

Papali’i finished in the top 10 for total metres made, while Klemmer’s appetite to chew through yardage was impressive despite the former New South Wales and Australia representative enduring a difficult year at the struggling Knights.

Meanwhile, the arrival of the feisty former Raider puts a cherry on top of an impressive recent recruitment drive.

Bateman adds a genuine x-factor in attack for a side which was the lowest scoring in the league last year.

The Englishman is a master at making use of every little advantage garnered with a stiff fend on a retreating defender or a scurry through the line becoming his trademark throughout his first spell in the NRL.

Koroisau calls for patience as rebuild at the Tigers begins​

After over a decade without experiencing finals footy, the four signings have lifted the mood around the camp and has fans harbouring hopes of a fabled top eight finish.

The players they have tied to long-term deals have undoubtedly been of a different calibre to the ones when the club last opened their cheque book and plumped for the waning powers of Josh Reynolds, Russell Packer and Ben Matulino.

Expectations are suddenly sky-high as a result of this spending spree, yet Koroisau urged patience.

“We all want to win a premiership but the most important thing right now for us is getting the fundamentals right,” he said.

“We’ve got to get the most out of the next five weeks, make sure we have a good pre-season and when the trials come around, we look like a footy team.”

Despite struggling with the decision to leave Penrith, where he won back-to-back titles, Koroisau pointed out how ultimately his close ties to the Tigers proved to be one of the deciding factors in his move.

“This was my club when I was growing up,” he revealed.

“I’m really excited to be here and to be a part of something special with the rebuild.”
Click to expand...
Thanks Lauren ...I can find them can't open them lol
 
Lauren said:
www.weststigers.com.au

Api Koroisau: It's a special feeling

Api Koroisau chats to the media about his transition to Wests Tigers, and says that after working with Robbie Farah, he doesn't know as much as he thought he did.
www.weststigers.com.au www.weststigers.com.au
Click to expand...
talks well to the media. In a very calm way. . Has an air of confidence about him. With his level of experience and nature , he will be a good leader (iMO).
 

Koroisau to captain Wests Tigers​

Source Wests Tigers - Mon 13 Feb 2023, 08:35 PM

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​

Wests Tigers is delighted to announce Apisai Koroisau has been appointed team captain
for 2023.
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Our 2023 squad at Wests Tigers official season launch

The announcement was made at Wests Tigers official season launch on the waterfront at Iron Cove, where more than 300 VIP guests had the chance to mingle with their team.

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Shining bright: Leichhardt Oval in the distance

The three-time NRL premiership-winner has enjoyed his first few months at his new club and is thrilled to become the team’s leader.

“To be asked to lead this team in my first year at the club, means a lot,”
said Koroisau.

This is a terrific group of players, and I am honoured to be their captain.
Api Koroisau
Click to expand...
"From the moment I joined this club, my family and I have been made to feel so welcome.

“It’s been a great start to my time as a Wests Tigers player and I look forward to helping this team and this club be the best it can be."
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Carrying the load: Hard at work in pre-season

Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens says Koroisau is a natural leader.

“We have several very capable leaders in this team, and Api is one of them,” said Sheens.

He is very well respected within the group, and I know he’ll do a great job.
Tim Sheens
Click to expand...
“I congratulate him on earning the role.”
Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe believes Koroisau will excel as team captain.

“In the short time he’s been with us, Api has demonstrated and embraced our core values as a club,” said Pascoe.

His leadership on the field is vitally important, as is what he does in other areas of our business.
Justin Pascoe
Click to expand...
“I think it’s a tremendous appointment and I’m sure he will thrive with the added responsibility.”

Wests Tigers play their second Pre-season Challenge game this Sunday against Canberra Raiders at Belmore.



Big shout-out to @WesternSuburbsBoy for initially breaking the news on the forum.
 
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