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?
