Isaiah Papali’i’s $1.9m backflip ‘would be a disaster’ for Tigers

Benji Marshall already has a tough assignment before starting as Wests Tigers coach, with murmurs of a worrying backflip refusing to die.

Isaiah Papali’i’s backflip would be a ‘disaster’. Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Rugby league great Greg Alexander believes it “would be a disaster” if Eels forward Isaiah Papali’i backflipped on his 2023 Wests Tigers deal after the club already thinned its back row stocks.

The Tigers are last on the NRL ladder with five rounds remaining but things could get even worse for the cellar-dwellers.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

It’s been a brutal week for the Tigers. They lost a controversial match against the North Queensland Cowboys, saw Luke Brooks suffer a potentially season-ending injury and reports Papali’i is still considering a backflip won’t go away.

Earlier this month, it was first revealed Papali’i was having second thoughts after he put pen to paper with the Tigers while Michael Maguire was still coach.

Maguire was sacked in June and will be replaced by Tim Sheens for the next two years, followed by club legend Benji Marshall in 2025.

Papali’i is close with Maguire and the Parramatta star reunited with his New Zealand coach during the recent representative round.

“This is based on the fact that there’s still no clear definitive situation surrounding Isaiah Papali’i’s move to the Tigers,” The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio told SEN 1170 Breakfast on Friday.

“We know that Papali’i doesn’t want to go to the Tigers, both clubs are acutely aware of that.

“It was interesting listening to Benji Marshall’s interview with Jake Duke last Monday night and how Benji couldn’t give a straight answer on whether Papali’i would be at the Wests Tigers.

“Benji has spoken with Papali’i but he couldn’t confirm that he’d be there.”

Will he stay or will he go? Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Riccio added the Eels have salary cap space to accommodate and match Papali’i’s reported $1.9m for three years deal he signed with the Tigers.

Alexander said a backflip would be a nightmare for the Tigers, especially considering the club is losing three second rowers already.

Kelma Tuilagi has signed with Manly for next year, Luciano Leilua has already left for the Cowboys and Luke Garner is Penrith-bound in 2023.

“That would be a disaster,” Alexander said. “If Papali’i doesn’t go to the Tigers, if he backflips, it would be a disaster.

“No (Kelma) Tuilagi, no (Luciano) Leilua, no Luke Garner.”

Papali’i, 23, was named the 2021 Dally M Second Rower of the Year and when asked about the speculation recently, gave a response that wouldn’t have gone down well at Concord.

“That’s not my focus at the moment,” Papali’i said. “I want to make sure I put my best foot forward in this season that I have here by playing week to week and worrying about my job.

“Whatever happens, happens.”

Marshall was also coy on whether Papali’i would fulfil his contract when asked about his new role by Fox League last week.

Papali’i’s Eels teammate Marata Niukore will be departing Parramatta, however, reiterating he will be heading to the New Zealand Warriors next year.