NRL 2023: Balmain legend Garry Jack slams Wests Tigers ahead of Parramatta Eels clash

Balmain legend Garry Jack has delivered an all-time tirade at Wests Tigers new recruits Api Koroisau, David Klemmer and Isaiah Papali’i, accusing them of being soft and unmotivated.

Balmain legend Garry Jack has slammed the Wests Tigers after their 0-5 start to the 2023 season.

Balmain legend Garry Jack has launched a withering attack on Wests Tigers, declaring new skipper Api Koroisau “looks like he doesn’t want to be there”, prop David Klemmer “couldn’t knock the skin off a rice custard” while saying the club’s board and CEO “live in their Ivory Towers.”

And Jack didn’t stop there, claiming recruit Isaiah Papali’i wasn’t “half the player he was at Parramatta” and that Wests Tigers had “lost the plot” in defence.

Jack also took a hefty swipe at the club’s handling of the Anzac Day jumper debacle.

Always honest and outspoken, Jack – who played 244 games for Balmain and 22 Tests for Australia – hit out at the Tigers ahead of the club’s vital Easter Monday match against Parramatta at Accor Stadium.

Balmain legend Garry Jack has launched a tirade against the Tigers. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Having lost the opening five games this season, Wests will play the Monday game under excruciating pressure to win.

A group of Wests Tigers fans are threatening to literally turn their backs on players during play in protest at the club’s recent lack of success.

The fan dissent is scheduled for the 12th minute of play to denounce the club’s failure to play finals footy for the past 12 years.

Asked about the club’s recruits, a fired-up Jack said: “As big Kerry Hemsley (former Balmain prop) would say, as far as David Klemmer was concerned, he couldn’t knock the skin off a rice custard. All right?

“As for Papali’i, he’s not half the player he was at Parramatta last year.

“John Bateman, they have him on a four-year deal, he was obviously injured when he came over here. He’s not right.

“They are the key signings. As so too is Api Koroisau. Api Koroisau looks like he doesn’t want to be there. His body language – he’s gone from the premiers to wooden spooners. He looks frustrated and he just can’t inspire them.

Jack says hooker Apisai Koroisau looks like he doesn’t want to be at the club.

While David Klemmer ‘couldn’t knock the skin off a rice custard’ according to Jack.

“When they (Wests Tigers) looked at the draw, they would have thought over the first five rounds they have the Titans, Knights and Bulldogs. They’d have thought they’d get a couple of wins to take a bit of pressure off.

“But it’s zero and five and what concerns me is that over the next 11 rounds, they have eight of the top eight teams from last year. I think it will get a whole lot worse before it gets better for the Tigers.”

Jack supported the fan’s move to protest in the 12th minute.

“I think the fans can do whatever they want. They pay their money, as long as they’re respectful and no-one gets hurt,” Jack told The Big Sports Breakfast Weekend radio show.

“The board, CEO (Justin Pascoe) and chairman (Lee Hagipantelis) live in their Ivory Towers and if they don’t listen to the fans, they won’t have any fans supporting the footy club. They should listen.”

Wests Tigers have been heavily criticised for originally placing an image on the front of their Anzac jumper of American soldiers. The club has reissued merchandise with a new Anzac Day design.

Jack suggests the board and CEO Justin Pascoe ‘live in their Ivory Towers’ and won’t listen to the fans. Picture: Getty Images.

And the club chose Englishman Bateman to promote the jersey.

“The jersey would have been signed off on by the CEO, that’s Justin Pascoe,” Jacki said. “Players and coaches are accountable for what they do. If they do the wrong thing, they get the sack or they’re no longer at the club.

“What really got me upset was David Klemmer and Alex Twal came out in the media defending the decision. Where was Justin Pascoe? He should have been front and centre with the media saying we made a mistake.

“But he wasn’t. He sent those players forward; two big front-rowers. I thought it was a really bad look for the club, and for him too.

“And another mistake they made was having John Bateman promote the jersey. Is he not a Pom? What would he know about Anzac Day, with all due respect? We should have had an Australian or Kiwi promoting those jerseys.”

Asked whether there was a way out of this mess for the club, Jack said: “Look, at the moment, it’s going to be difficult. They don’t seem to worry too much about defence. They have let in an average of 26 points per game and only scored 13. You’re well behind the eight-ball.

The Wests Tigers are winless at 0-5 to start the season. Picture: NRL Photos

“The Tigers, they don’t care about defence. They seem to have lost the plot there. They just want to play this running rugby, throw the ball inside, outside, let it sing, blah, blah, blah.

“You’ve got to concentrate on defence if you want to be successful in the NRL. That’s what the game is built on – it’s not attack, it’s defence. It’s all about this running, Benji (Marshall) style of footy but that’s not how the game has been played for 115-years.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: Balmain legend Garry Jack slams Wests Tigers ahead of Parramatta Eels clash