Why Penrith star Api Koroisau remains to be wanting ahead to becoming a member of Wests Tigers

The Tigers could 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.

In truth, whereas Koroisau remains to be completely centered on ending his time with Penrith with one other premiership, he’ll relish the prospect to start out over again. 

Koroisau shapes because the Tigers’ star recruit for 2023 and with the membership reeling after a report 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 exhausting are you able to go understanding no person thinks you could be something,” Koroisau stated.

“You want that generally. You will have inner motivations and driving components, however when you may have so many exterior ones that speak you down or are adverse in the direction of you, you need to use your ego in that method.

“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 stable to his future membership after signing in November final yr regardless of the Tigers’ struggles.

In an effort to benefit from his time left with the Panthers, Koroisau has additionally refused to be distracted by his impending transfer.

“I have never thought concerning the future a lot. I am making an attempt to focus on being current,” Koroisau stated.

“I have never nervous 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 prime hookers on the top of his powers.

The 29-year outdated is second amongst dummy halves for attempt assists with 13, which isn’t solely a profession excessive however greater than double what he managed in his first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 enjoying with out first-choice halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai.

The crafty rake was the very best participant on the sphere in final week’s late win over the Rabbitohs, making a attempt 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 towards 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 may depend on guys like Liam Martin to run exhausting. It was solely fourth sort out, so it wasn’t that a lot of of venture.

“We have finished a number of coaching on that, to get that timing. He works actually exhausting at his craft.”