‘It means a lot’: Water under the bridge as Tigers appoint Api Koroisau captain months after his GF comments

The Wests Tigers clearly don’t hold any grudges after they named a star recruit who cheekily sledged the club as their new captain.

Api Koroisau is set to lead the Tigers in his first season. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Api Koroisau will be the man to lead the Wests Tigers just months after he took a swipe at the club while celebrating the 2022 premiership at a Panthers fan day.

The three-time premiership winner came under fire when he intimated that last year’s title would be his last as he prepared to join a side that had just claimed the wooden spoon.

The Tigers have moved on from comments Api Koroisau made after last year’s grand final. Picture; NRL Photos

“Just to go out on a high like that, it’s pretty incredible, and I’ll probably do the same thing at the Tigers,” he said at the time before laughing.

But it appears that time heals all wounds, with the Tigers announcing their new recruit as the club’s skipper as they look to atone for last year’s disastrous campaign.

New coach Tim Sheens has abandoned the five-man leadership group that didn’t work in 2022, with Koroisau set to be handed the captaincy.

“To be asked to lead this team in my first year at the club means a lot,” he said.

“This is a terrific group of players, and I am honoured to be their captain. From the moment I joined this club, my family and I have been made to feel so welcome.

“It’s been a great start to my time as a Wests Tigers player and I look forward to helping this team and this club be the best it can be.”

Tim Sheens has no doubts that Koroisau is the right man for the job. Picture: NRL Images

Picking Koroisau may seem like a left-field choice, but it does make a lot of sense given his vast experience at club and representative level where he has played under some terrific leaders.

He also brings a winning culture that the Tigers desperately need, and it will allow halves Luke Brooks and Adam Doueihi to focus on their jobs without having to worry about the captaincy.

“We have several very capable leaders in this team, and Api is one of them,” Sheens said.

“He is very well respected within the group, and I know he’ll do a great job.

“I congratulate him on earning the role.”

Originally published as ‘It means a lot’: Water under the bridge as Tigers appoint Api Koroisau captain months after his GF comments