Apisai Koroisau #263

user118245 said:
Think we’re witnessing a final run here with api, signed til end of 2026 (he’ll be 34). Shame he’ll only get 2 years with luai however I think if things get close or promising in 2026 think it’s worthwhile offering him a one year deal as a last thank you to him for everything he’s done for us.
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What is it he has done for us?
2 spoons from 2 attempts?
 
WesternSuburbsBoy said:
Api has put the team on his back every game he's played for us... not his fault the other 16 players alongside him haven't done the same.
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The claim was we gift him an extra year for EVERYTHING he has done for us.
Name the “everything”.
 
Love_the_WestsTigers said:
Thats true, very disrespectful to ask what he’s done. Gotta be blind to miss it
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You are right. I am aware that he missed the most tackles in the whole comp this year…and he has captained the team to back to back spoons.
He has done plenty 🙄
 
Tucker said:
You are right. I am aware that he missed the most tackles in the whole comp this year…and he has captained the team to back to back spoons.
He has done plenty 🙄
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While the stats are hard to argue there are other attibutes where he deserves credit. Equally there are areas he has underperformed. I think that leadership has taken a toll on him and unless he gets some support he will struggle again in 2025. While I don't think his captaincy has been brilliant, he is the best option we have at the moment. There is definitley room for improvement.

Although he is trying to lead by example on the paddock I think he is overplaying it a bit at times on the ball and his number of missed tackles reflects him trying to do too much in a pack that has not performed off it. I really didn't like his laid back approach to the spoon bowl; it wasn't what we needed with such a young team. However, it simply isn't his nature to be Captain Grumpy. We do need someone of that ilk though to hold players and staff to account. I don't think Benji has that balance right yet. Api is, and will remain, a key leader at our club in 2025, so I trust he is reflecting hard on how he can lift his leadership game over the off season.

I think Api is a charismatic type of leader off the field and tries to lead by example on it. He’s been directing play from dummy half with a lot of intelligence, most of the time, but has certainly lacked support. I can only go off Benji's comments in relation to his off-field influence on the younger players development which, from reports, is top notch.

As a player, as opposed to captain, his game management has been solid, but not spectacular. I think he brings a sense of calm to the team in high-pressure moments. We see him trying to direct the forwards and keep the team’s structure intact. It’s clear he has the tactical mind for it and he has the ability to control the speed of the game from hooker; but the execution from the rest of the team lets us down. There were times when Sezer provided direction and support but there were plenty of times he was AWOL. I trust that Luai will share the burden in 25.

The one thing I noticed this season, over 2023, was the growing camaraderie and spirit in the team, even though the results weren't there. I think Koroisau and Benji's influence has played a significant role in this. I am not close enough to the playing group to say that definitively - just a gut feel. I get the feel that there is a belief in the club that things can turn around, and I think that having Api on board (along with Richo at the helm) is a part of that. You can see that the team plays with more unity when he is on the paddock. He provides the team with some confidence and he lifts those around him. But he isn't superman!

Having said that: the results haven’t been what was expected given his status, leadership and the roster we had in 24. There's a lack of consistency across the board in terms of performances, and that includes Api. Sure we struggled with injuries and form issues from key players, which hasn't made it easy, but so has every other team in the competition.

I simply don't think we have the depth to support a player of his caliber and unless we get some strength into the forward pack for 25 we will be looking at more of the same, despite the arrival of the "next immortal" (that does make me shake my head).

Personally, I think Koroisau should stay as captain for the foreseeable future, potentially with Luai in support, as I don't see a natural leader jumping out at me from elsewhere. Api has a role to play, but we need to add some mongrel up front and consistency across the park before we are a reaistic treat.

But I’d love to hear what others think – do you think Apisai Koroisau has been the right choice as captain? Has he lived up to expectations in 2024? And what do you think the we need to support his leadership moving forward, if he remains the captain?
 
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Jolls said:
While the stats are hard to argue there are other attibutes where he deserves credit. Equally there are areas he has underperformed. I think that leadership has taken a toll on him and unless he gets some support he will struggle again in 2025. While I don't think his captaincy has been brilliant, he is the best option we have at the moment. There is definitley room for improvement.

Although he is trying to lead by example on the paddock I think he is overplaying it a bit at times on the ball and his number of missed tackles reflects him trying to do too much in a pack that has not performed off it. I really didn't like his laid back approach to the spoon bowl; it wasn't what we needed with such a young team. However, it simply isn't his nature to be Captain Grumpy. We do need someone of that ilk though to hold players and staff to account. I don't think Benji has that balance right yet. Api is, and will remain, a key leader at our club in 2025, so I trust he is reflecting hard on how he can lift his leadership game over the off season.

I think Api is a charismatic type of leader off the field and tries to lead by example on it. He’s been directing play from dummy half with a lot of intelligence, most of the time, but has certainly lacked support. I can only go off Benji's comments in relation to his off-field influence on the younger players development which, from reports, is top notch.

As a player, as opposed to captain, his game management has been solid, but not spectacular. I think he brings a sense of calm to the team in high-pressure moments. We see him trying to direct the forwards and keep the team’s structure intact. It’s clear he has the tactical mind for it and he has the ability to control the speed of the game from hooker; but the execution from the rest of the team lets us down. There were times when Sezer provided direction and support but there were plenty of times he was AWOL. I trust that Luai will share the burden in 25.

The one thing I noticed this season, over 2023, was the growing camaraderie and spirit in the team, even though the results weren't there. I think Koroisau and Benji's influence has played a significant role in this. I am not close enough to the playing group to say that definitively - just a gut feel. I get the feel that there is a belief in the club that things can turn around, and I think that having Api on board (along with Richo at the helm) is a part of that. You can see that the team plays with more unity when he is on the paddock. He provides the team with some confidence and he lifts those around him. But he isn't superman!

Having said that: the results haven’t been what was expected given his status, leadership and the roster we had in 24. There's a lack of consistency across the board in terms of performances, and that includes Api. Sure we struggled with injuries and form issues from key players, which hasn't made it easy, but so has every other team in the competition.

I simply don't think we have the depth to support a player of his caliber and unless we get some strength into the forward pack for 25 we will be looking at more of the same, despite the arrival of the "next immortal" (that does make me shake my head).

Personally, I think Koroisau should stay as captain for the foreseeable future, potentially with Luai in support, as I don't see a natural leader jumping out at me from elsewhere. Api has a role to play, but we need to add some mongrel up front and consistency across the park before we are a reaistic treat.

But I’d love to hear what others think – do you think Apisai Koroisau has been the right choice as captain? Has he lived up to expectations in 2024? And what do you think the we need to support his leadership moving forward, if he remains the captain?
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Good thoughts there Jolls.
Api must have known the C job would take a lot out of him and initially refused it. He’s become the Brooks replacement with opposition big middles constantly running at him making him less effective at the back end of the game. The good coaches can recognise the strengths and weaknesses in each player and build a suitable game plan. When players are not only recognised for their skills but see that they make a valuable contribution, it gives them more energy.
The idea of giving the captaincy to the new guy is always going to be a downer in my eyes and should never be an option. Give it to the guy with the attributes and proven work ethic in a Tigers jersey.
 
twentyforty said:
Good thoughts there Jolls.
Api must have known the C job would take a lot out of him and initially refused it. He’s become the Brooks replacement with opposition big middles constantly running at him making him less effective at the back end of the game. The good coaches can recognise the strengths and weaknesses in each player and build a suitable game plan. When players are not only recognised for their skills but see that they make a valuable contribution, it gives them more energy.
The idea of giving the captaincy to the new guy is always going to be a downer in my eyes and should never be an option. Give it to the guy with the attributes and proven work ethic in a Tigers jersey.
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I 100% agree with you regarding the selection of a captain. Who other than Api jumps out as a leader though? There are some junior players that will probably become good leaders down the track but they still have a lot of development in them before needing to be burdened with the big C against their name.
 
Api joined at the end of 2022.
This was when Joe Ofahengaue was awarded the Kelly-Barnes Medal for having stood up and busted his arse in what was a terrible season for the club, full of turmoil, treachery and deceptions.
Joe had earned the C for 2023. Not only was he not given it, we moved him out of his contract early and he left for Parramatta.
Another potential leader was Doueihi. His constant injury struggles prevented him from taking the role that year, and his form raised serious questions as well about his continued selection in the team.
Api being our captain as no one else was available does not absolve how he performed in the role.
This thread raises the question of another contract extension. My thoughts are he has 2 more years here. His focus should be get TDS ready to succeed him in 2026 whilst helping Luai turn results around on the field.
Should circumstance require an extension, look into it.
Currently though…not needed.
 
Tucker said:
Api joined at the end of 2022.
This was when Joe Ofahengaue was awarded the Kelly-Barnes Medal for having stood up and busted his arse in what was a terrible season for the club, full of turmoil, treachery and deceptions.
Joe had earned the C for 2023. Not only was he not given it, we moved him out of his contract early and he left for Parramatta.
Another potential leader was Doueihi. His constant injury struggles prevented him from taking the role that year, and his form raised serious questions as well about his continued selection in the team.
Api being our captain as no one else was available does not absolve how he performed in the role.
This thread raises the question of another contract extension. My thoughts are he has 2 more years here. His focus should be get TDS ready to succeed him in 2026 whilst helping Luai turn results around on the field.
Should circumstance require an extension, look into it.
Currently though…not needed.
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I totally agree on the Joe O debacle and personally have never thought AD had the leadership skills (or form) to be considered for the position. My comments were directed towards what he had achieved besides missing the most tackles and winning two wooden spoons. I can't say what he is like at holding players to standards off the field - only the laid back attitude we see in his interviews and the second hand reports on the development of the younger players.

Api doesn't come across as a hard nosed captain and I was certainly taken aback by his approach to the last game. Having said that, I have heard nothing about him walking past poor efforts at training - the opposite in fact. However, who really knows unless you are there. It is the same as Benji's coaching - plenty happy to point out that he can't coach - but no examples have ever been provided. Sure selections can be questioned, but we have executed game plans well on a a few occasions so it isn't as if the players don't know what they are supposed to achieve - they just aren't doing it. Is the lack of depth and talent more of a factor - I tend to think that this is the case. But again - I'm sitting back examining replays - not at training.

You are on the money with Api's role in 25/26 and that is, apart from: leading the team; setting standards and pulling players into line; developing TDS. Way to early to be looking at an extension for him - let's look at how he, and we, perform in 2025 before we go down that route.
 
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Tucker said:
Api joined at the end of 2022.
This was when Joe Ofahengaue was awarded the Kelly-Barnes Medal for having stood up and busted his arse in what was a terrible season for the club, full of turmoil, treachery and deceptions.
Joe had earned the C for 2023. Not only was he not given it, we moved him out of his contract early and he left for Parramatta.
Another potential leader was Doueihi. His constant injury struggles prevented him from taking the role that year, and his form raised serious questions as well about his continued selection in the team.
Api being our captain as no one else was available does not absolve how he performed in the role.
This thread raises the question of another contract extension. My thoughts are he has 2 more years here. His focus should be get TDS ready to succeed him in 2026 whilst helping Luai turn results around on the field.
Should circumstance require an extension, look into it.
Currently though…not needed.
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Joffa was treated extremely badly by our club with all of the 3 stooges partially responsible imho (Sheens Lee and Pascoe).Thank god they have gone
 
Jolls said:
I 100% agree with you regarding the selection of a captain. Who other than Api jumps out as a leader though? There are some junior players that will probably become good leaders down the track but they still have a lot of development in them before needing to be burdened with the big C against their name.
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We should have been answering this question a few seasons ago. We had a good potential captain in Stefano.
I think our leadership issues are linked to club trust and loyalty, they recognise this and hence the “injection of DNA” but it needs more than that. It needs strong leadership and governance from the boards.
 
Tucker said:
What is it he has done for us?
2 spoons from 2 attempts?
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Tallyn Da Silva deserves more game time. Can't lose him to another club. His friendship and closeness to Galvin, the Lauli'i brothers among other juniors is also huge. Api must not get in the way. There will be a time when api needs to give the captaincy to someone else and slowly take less responsibility. He's not cameron smith who can do it until retirement
 
twentyforty said:
Good thoughts there Jolls.
Api must have known the C job would take a lot out of him and initially refused it. He’s become the Brooks replacement with opposition big middles constantly running at him making him less effective at the back end of the game. The good coaches can recognise the strengths and weaknesses in each player and build a suitable game plan. When players are not only recognised for their skills but see that they make a valuable contribution, it gives them more energy.
The idea of giving the captaincy to the new guy is always going to be a downer in my eyes and should never be an option. Give it to the guy with the attributes and proven work ethic in a Tigers jersey.
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Why mate? Who will be captain when Api isn't on the field? Luai, surely?
 
Api was clearly playing busted by the end of the year.

he is absolutely our spiritual leader but his commitment to the club and his teammates is becoming a detriment to his physical condition. Benji needs to save him from himself.

with Bird coming, we need to be carrying Da Silva on the bench every week and increasing the amount of minutes he’s playing to both assist Api and aid Tallyn’s development. we still lose our way when Api’s off the field, and while Luai will help that to no end, we still need a big preseason from Tallyn to ensure the middle corridor keeps humming.

zero doubt in my mind that Api will be 100% come Round 1, but the key is ensuring he’s able to take the time off he needs should he have niggling injuries next year.
 
I think Api was let down this year by trying too hard and getting too frustrated / emotionally involved. I can totally understand it, going from 3 successive GFs to 2 successive wooden spoons.

He can be such a quality player and leader, I am sure when he has better support and Tigers are winning more games, we'll see the return of better overall output.

Even though he lost his way in a few games, I would rather all Tigers players try as hard as Api does every week, even if it sometimes gets out of control.
 
jirskyr said:
I think Api was let down this year by trying too hard and getting too frustrated / emotionally involved. I can totally understand it, going from 3 successive GFs to 2 successive wooden spoons.

He can be such a quality player and leader, I am sure when he has better support and Tigers are winning more games, we'll see the return of better overall output.

Even though he lost his way in a few games, I would rather all Tigers players try as hard as Api does every week, even if it sometimes gets out of control.
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Bateman imo also
 
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