Wests Tigers have blocked a request by North Queensland to release Api Koroisau from his contract a year early – and are happy to leave it to their co-captain when it comes to playing beyond 2026.
Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly confirmed a senior Cowboys official contacted the Tigers about signing Koroisau as a replacement for Sydney Roosters-bound No.9 Reece Robson.
The Cowboys believed that with the Tigers already having Tallyn Da Silva signed for next year, any money saved by releasing Koroisau, who is on north of $600,000 a season, would only help their efforts to keep Lachlan Galvin.
Coach Benji Marshall confirmed the Cowboys’ interest in Koroisau but told this masthead on Saturday: “Why would we let a world-class hooker go 12 months early?
“We have zero interest [in letting him go], none at all. And that will not be happening while I am the coach.
“Api is our biggest leader in our team, and hence, that’s why he’s our captain.
Api Koroisau has attracted interest from the North Queensland Cowboys.Credit: Stecve Siewert/SMH
“Tallyn is in a fortunate position where he gets to learn off one of the best in the game, develop and take his time.
“Hookers don’t generally develop until they are about 24 or 25, so there’s no rush for him. What Tallyn will get is the opportunity to build his game, slowly get more minutes, and eventually maybe take over from Api. But that’s down the track.
“I want what’s best for the club, and what’s best for the club is we keep Api.”
When asked if the Tigers were open to extending Koroisau, who will be 34 at the end of next year, Marshall said: “That’s a question for Api.”
The immediate focus for the Tigers is finalising a deal that will keep 19-year-old Galvin at the club for the long term. Canterbury are widely seen as the Tigers’ biggest threat on this front.
Galvin and Da Silva, also 19, are good friends, and won the 2022 Harold Matthews competition together at the Western Suburbs Magpies.
The Cowboys need a dummy-half for next year and identified Koroisau as the ideal candidate. Koroisau was also seen as the perfect player to help develop their own future No.9, Xavier Kerrisk, who is a Queensland Origin under-19s representative.
The Tigers’ spine of Koroisau, Galvin, Jahream Bula and Jarome Luai will play just their third game together on Sunday afternoon against the Knights in Newcastle.
Luai missed last weekend’s loss to Brisbane because of suspension, with the enforced week off giving the playmaker time to overcome a shoulder complaint.
Marshall was excited by the potential of his spine and Da Silva, who has been coming off the bench either side of half-time for Koroisau. The top 17 that takes the field at McDonald Jones Stadium is what Marshall describes as the club’s best 17. Samuela Fainu (knee) and winger Jeral Skelton (hamstring) both return from injury.
Marshall said Luai’s return could not be underestimated, and the strapping on his shoulder was just a precaution.
“Jarome’s leadership speaks for itself, what he does on the field, and the confidence he brings to our side,” Marshall said.
“I’ve noticed an upbeat energy among the guys this week, and Jarome, Lachlan, Apim, Jahream and Tallyn, are the guys who are bringing that.”
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