NRL 2023: Wests Tigers have a culture problem that no number of big names can fix

Big-name Wests Tigers signings Api Koroisau and Isaiah Papali’I are not the first high-profile players to cop the heat at Concord. Check out the ‘best’ of the club’s bad recruiting moves here.

Braith Anasta and some ‘dud’ Wests Tigers recruits in Josh Reynolds, Mahe Fonua and Chris McQueen.

Whether it’s been multiple premiership-winners, State of Origin stars, or decorated international veterans, nothing has worked for the Wests Tigers for over a decade.

Not since 2011 has the joint venture tasted finals action – and that streak looks set to continue as the Tigers aim to avoid opening this year with an eighth straight loss to Penrith on Saturday.

Their horror start has again put the spotlight on all corners of the franchise, from the administration to their new coaching set-up led by Tim Sheens, and his new-look roster.

And while halfback Luke Brooks continues to be a whipping boy for the club’s legion of frustrated fans, big-name signings Api Koroisau and Isaiah Papali’I haven’t escaped the fire.

They’re not the first high-profile players to cop the heat at Concord.

Over the past decade, the likes of Josh Reynolds, Moses Mbye, Joey Leilua, Ben Matulino, Chris McQueen and Adam Blair have all been signed to drag the team up the ladder.

Another, former Wests Tigers skipper Braith Anasta, knows all too well the pressure of being tasked with turning a club’s fortunes around as a big-name recruit.

And he insists the club’s issues go well beyond their new faces.

“To see the amount of quality players that have gone there and haven’t really reached their potential, or the team hasn’t really gotten to where they were expected to with the injection of these players, really speaks volumes on the fact there is a deep, deep-seated issue there. That has been there for a long time,” Anasta said.

The Tigers had hoped Anasta would lead them back into relevancy and into a bold new era when they lured him from the Sydney Roosters for the 2013-14 seasons.

But the coach who had enticed him there, Tim Sheens, was sacked before he got there, and then he struggled under the guise of then-coach Mick Potter.

The Tigers finished 15th and then 13th, and Anasta was heavily critical of the club’s set-up when he retired. He believes not much has changed since, other than the facilities.

New recruit Apisai Koroisau has come under huge pressure. Picture: Getty Images

“For me, it starts from the top and it infiltrates throughout the whole club and whole culture.

The facilities were an excuse for a while,” he said.

“When I had my comments about the club while I was there, I was just opening the eyes to fans that this place was not where it needs to be.

“And if they don't get their shit together, they ain’t gonna improve and have success.

“When I left there, I was gobsmacked by the experience.

“And now here we are, and look at the results now.

“I copped a hiding at the time and people blamed me, (that) I was a shit buy and that sort of stuff. But look at all the players that have been there since, and look at the results.

“It’s no coincidence.”

No new recruit has been under the microscope as much as their new captain in Koroisau, who has been hammered by fans and critics over the teams performances to start the year.

“It’s not his fault, Koroisau is a gun player. He’s an experienced and rep player. Come on, there is a common denominator and it ain’t him,” Anasta said.

Braith Anasta and some ‘dud’ Wests Tigers recruits in Josh Reynolds, Mahe Fonua and Chris McQueen.

“That’s why it’s so hard for these guys cause they are probably feeling like they are doing everything they can right now.

“But they need help from the players around them and from people within the club.

“Any criticism that is given to them is not warranted.

“What’s the common denominator? How can you keep blaming the people that come into the place from success? It’s pretty glaring to me that it is not the players.

“It’s something in between those four walls.”

Koroisau, who was a key figure in the Panthers’ back-to-back premierships, refuses to get down about their army or critics, and insists it all changes once the wins start stacking up.

“If you’re not winning footy games they’re going to come after you,” he said.

“It’s been happening for so long here that it gives them an excuse to keep coming after us. And yes, sometimes it’s not warranted to certain individuals.

“But the only way to stop this is by winning.”

Koroisau has full faith in his team, and believes they’re slowly discovering the blueprint to playing a style of footy that suits their make-up.

“We started to see that our game plan did not suit the players we had and after the second half against Parramatta, we are starting to see how we can play and what we are capable of,” he said.

“Not only our big recruits, but all our players are finding their feet. We just need to stick with it.”

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