NRL news: Wests Tigers offer Penrith Panthers player swap to sign Apisai Koroisau for 2022 season

Under pressure for immediate success, Wests Tigers have made a sensational attempt to convince Penrith to release Api Koroisau to them in time for the 2022 season.

Wests Tigers have reacted to their need for a fast start to the 2022 NRL season by trying to lure incoming hooker Apisai Koroisau to Concord a year early.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Wests approached premiers Penrith’s high-performance manager Matt Cameron to offer up either Jake Simpkin or Jacob Liddle – both emerging young hookers — in exchange for Koroisau.

Penrith took less than a minute to reject the daring proposal for the immediate player swap as they begin their chase for back-to-back grand final victories.

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While Koroisau is still to be vaccinated, the Panthers recruitment committee – including Cameron, director Greg Alexander, head coach Ivan Cleary, assistants Cameron Ciraldo and Peter Wallace, CEO Brian Fletcher and chairman Dave O’Neill – discussed the offer but quickly declined it.

Panthers officials confirmed the move on Wednesday.

Api Koroisau will see out his contract at Penrith next season before joining the Tigers in 2023. Picture: Penrith Panthers

“Api’s not going anywhere in 2022,” said one source close to Penrith. “It didn’t really matter what Wests Tigers offered up. The decision was made quickly.”

Koroisau has signed with Wests Tigers from 2023 but the Concord club did try their luck by asking whether the NSW hooker would shift a year earlier.

After losing Matt Burton, Brent Naden, Tevita Pangai Jr, Kurt Capewell, Paul Momirovski and Tyrone May for 2022, the Panthers committee took just 60 seconds to knock back the Koroisau request.

Koroisau hasn’t agitated for a premature release.

While Simpkin or Liddle were offered, there is a suggestion Tigers forward and Panthers junior Shawn Blore was also mentioned.

In the club’s statement last Friday announcing Koroisau’s signing, Wests stressed “the 29-year-old Koroisau is contracted with the Penrith Panthers for the 2022 campaign”.

Jacob Liddle was offered to Penrith in a swap for Api Koroisau. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

“Api’s the best in the business after winning the grand final with the Panthers. He’s a great signing for us and an indicator of where this club is heading,” Wests Tigers captain James Tamou said.

While delighted to have secured Koroisau for 2023, Wests officials are under pressure for immediate success and desperately need a strong start next season. Cameron refuses to return calls.

Wests Tigers had attempted to poach hooker Josh Hodgson from Canberra for next year, the move ultimately failing over a financial stalemate between the two clubs.

It does appear Liddle, who played a career-high 20 games in 2021, is on the outer at Concord.

Koroisau, 29, remains unvaccinated and has been told by club officials about the ramifications if he continues his anti-jab stance.

The star dummy half would miss four matches in Queensland and Victoria next season by refusing to be inoculated. He would be fined an undisclosed sum for each game missed, possibly a total of around $80,000.

While a fine would punish Koroisau, Penrith officials are more concerned about the damage his absence would inflict on the team and their performances, given he plays in such a crucial position.

Penrith officials are standing alongside Koroisau and desperately hope the issue can be resolved over the Christmas break.

Koroisau is due back to off-season training next Wednesday. He will have to follow strict Covid training protocols on his return.

A former Souths 2014 grand final winner, Koroisau will miss matches next season against Gold Coast (round 8), Melbourne (round 10), New Zealand Warriors (round 15) and North Queensland (round 25) by failing to be vaccinated.

Transfer that will trigger a trade avalanche

Cashed-up North Queensland will formally ask Wests Tigers this week to consider approving an early release for forward Luciano Leilua.

Leilua has signed a three-year deal with the Cowboys – worth a cool $2.1 million – from 2023, but North Queensland has room in its salary to accommodate the Wests star from next year.

The Daily Telegraph can also reveal the two North Queensland players the Tigers have requested in a possible player swap for Leilua for 2022 – rising back-rowers Jeremiah Nanai and Heilum Luki.

Wests Tigers back-rower Luciano Leilua has agreed a contract with the Cowboys from 2023, but could join the club earlier. Picture: Mark Nolan/NRL Photos

However, North Queensland rejected the proposal and have started contract talks to extend Nanai, 18, and Luki, 20, who are entering the final year of their current deals and can both sign with rival clubs for the 2023 season.

The Tigers have shown considerable interest in Nanai, who is rated among the finest young back-rowers in rugby league.

Leilua hasn’t agitated for an early release but the situation is delicate.

While the Tigers want to retain Leilua for the final year of his deal, the player’s contract will increase from $550,000 this season to between $600,000 and $650,000 in 2022.

Wests officials need to discuss whether the club can obtain value for that price. Player managers call it ROI – return on investment.

Canterbury winger Nick Cotric adds another layer of uncertainty to the equation.

The Cowboys’ Jeremiah Nanai is highly rated. Picture: Matthew Elkerton

Should Cotric be squeezed out of Canterbury due to the Bulldogs’ precarious salary cap position and end up at Concord, Wests may need to shed a player — which could be Leilua.

Wests, at this stage, are suggesting Leilua won’t be granted an early release.

And, by allowing him to walk early, the Tigers could suddenly be left short of an edge back-rower.

Parramatta’s Isaiah Papali’i has signed for 2023 but the Eels, at this stage, won’t entertain a premature release given the 2021 Dally M back-rower of the year provides tremendous value on a modest contract.

The easygoing Leilua would be happy to stay in 2022 but equally content to leave if the right offer was lodged.

Leilua is a popular member of the Tigers squad and was a passionate supporter of Michael Maguire when the coach was under pressure to retain his job after last season.

Heilum Luki is another in-demand Cowboy. Picture: Evan Morgan

Tigers management also continue holding talks to re-sign prop Stefano Utoikamanu, who joined an extended NSW State of Origin squad this year.

Cotric is also a genuine target for the Canberra Raiders but rumours persist he wants to remain in Sydney.

Canberra management may consider allowing Bailey Simonsson to leave for Parramatta next season if the Raiders can sign Cotric.

Wests last week signed Penrith’s Api Koroisau for 2023 and 2024 with a mutual option for 2025.