The Wests Tigers have locked up a key position for their future, landing hooker Api Koroisau from 2023 onwards.
The 29-year-old has signed a two-year deal, with the option of a third.
The number nine jersey has been a source of frustration for the Tigers since the glory days of Robbie Farah, never really settling on a successor – although they did fight hard to keep Melbourne’s Harry Grant after a brilliant loan spell.
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“We’re very pleased to have secured Apisai from the start of the 2023 season,” director of football Tim Sheens said.
“He not only adds a further level of experience in a key position of the spine, but he has shown himself to be successful alongside head coach Michael Maguire previously in his career.”
Maguire was famously the coach of South Sydney when they broke their 42-year premiership drought in 2014. Koroisau stepped in and played brilliantly in the grand final, filling in for the suspended Issac Luke.
He grabbed a second ring in the season just passed, against his former club, for Penrith.
“It is always a big positive to sign a player with international and State of Origin experience, and what Apisai has achieved at both club and representative level will be a great addition to what we are building here,” Sheens said.
In addition to his two premierships, Koroisau has racked up 13 appearances internationally for Fiji, and made his State of Origin debut for the Blues this year.
“On behalf of everyone at Wests Tigers, I’d like to share how pleased we are to have signed Koroisau from the start of 2023,” Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe said.
“He will join us with a wealth of experience to his name, having represented Fiji on the international stage and the Blues in State of Origin, and we look forward to him and adding plenty to our club in the coming years.”
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