Apisai Koroisau says he’s devastated Manly lost Blake Green but is excited by potential Mitchell Pearce move

APISAI Koroisau says Manly are “devastated” to lose Blake Green but is excited about the possibilities Mitchell Pearce would bring if he joined the club.

Api Koroisau and Blake Green during Manly training at NSW Institute of Sport, Narabeen. Picture. Phil Hillyard

MANLY hooker Apisai Koroisau says he is “devastated” by the loss of teammate Blake Green to the Warriors, but also believes off-contract Mitchell Pearce is one of the best halves in the game.

The Sea Eagles announced on Tuesday that they had released Green after just one season at the club, after the former Melbourne playmaker signed a three year-deal with the Warriors.

For Koroisau — who is in camp with the Fijian World Cup team — it was a shock to hear that Green would be leaving.

Koroisau struck up a good combination with Green this year.

While Green only joined the Sea Eagles at the start of 2017, Koroisau said he was going to be a massive loss.

“I was devastated,” Koroisau said of the news.

“He was one of the more well-liked blokes around the club. He was always happy and always bringing up the boys and setting off his energy around the place. To lose him is pretty tough.

“For someone new to come into the club (at the start of 2017) and have the effect that he did, it was massive. Now we lose someone with his experience and his playing game.

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“I thought he really complimented (Daly) Cherry-Evans. To have that gone is going to be big.”

However, Koroisau was also optimistic his club would be able to sign a new half soon, with Pearce the most obvious choice.

Will Pearce head to Manly?

The Roosters halfback was also released from his contract yesterday and Koroisau said there was a lot he liked about the 28-year-old.

“He’s a really good player,” he said.

“I know he did get bagged for the way he did perform in Origin but he was easily the best halfback in the comp for the first half of the (2017) season.

“I love the ways he controls the game. He really runs the ball to the line. I think his kicking game is exceptional as well. He’s already had a big career but I think he has a long way to go as well.”

Originally published as Apisai Koroisau says he’s devastated Manly lost Blake Green but is excited by potential Mitchell Pearce move