‘I’ll be talking to him’: Mal confirms interest in Tigers star as likely ‘top of list’ Bears target revealed

Inaugural Perth coach Mal Meninga has confirmed the one NRL star he will be “talking” to after a rogue comment linked him to the Bears.

Inaugural Perth coach Mal Meninga confirmed he will be “talking” to Tigers hooker Apisai Koroisau after he said he would be “definitely open” to playing for the Bears.

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Meninga was officially appointed coach of the NRL’s latest expansion team last week, with the Bears to enter the competition at the start of the 2027 season.

With a coach in place, attention now turns to the marquee names the Bears could sign and it sounds like Koroisau could be a target.

The Tigers hooker told Channel Nine he would “definitely be open to it”, although he then added he would “love to keep going” at his current club.

“To be fair I’ve never seriously thought about it, mainly because I’d love to just finish off here at the Tigers and I’m in no rush to be going anywhere or sign any contracts,” he said.

“I haven’t thought about it, not seriously anyway. For me it’s Tigers if I can.”

While those additional comments from Koroisau may ease some concerns in Tigerland, Meninga definitely took notice of his earlier ones and told Triple M he will “be talking” to the veteran hooker.

“He did play for North Sydney Bears you know, he came through that system so I think that’s another great story,” Meninga said.

“I’ll be talking to him don’t worry about that.”

Perth Bears head coach Mal Meninga has confirmed interest in Api Koroisau. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Koroisau is off-contract at the end of 2026 and will be allowed to talk to rival clubs from November 1.

The Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read tipped on Triple M that Koroisau will end up being one of many players who will strategically come off-contract around then in a bid to drive up their prices with the added competition of the Bears.

“They’re (player agents— going to time blokes coming off contract to maximize that value, so there’ll be players out there and there are players out there who are coming off at the end of ‘26, who I’d imagine will go to November 1,” Read said.

Read went on to add that he expects Perth to target Super League teams and South African rugby union for talent, while also predicting Titans forward Tino Fa’asuamaleaui — who is signed until 2033 but can leave the club at the end of 2026 — will be “at the top of the list” when it comes to NRL targets.

“He’s got options every year of his deal. He’s an obvious one who Mal’s got a relationship with... Tino is probably at the top of the list,” Read said.

“Payne is the other obvious one but I think Payne will stay in Brisbane. There’s some other guys... Luke Metcalf, Jaxon Purdue, Tyran Wishart, Herbie Farnworth. There are guys out there who are available as it stands on November 1.”

Apisai Koroisau could be the Bears’ first signing. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

Wishart was one player who Michael Ennis singled out during Melbourne’s recent win against North Queensland as a priority target for Meninga.

“You get the feeling over the next couple of years as the expansion teams roll into town, the value of a Tyran Wishart, it is going to skyrocket,” Ennis said.

“Pick up the phone Mal.”

Former Panthers and Sharks backrower Wade Graham, meanwhile, said on Triple M that the prospect of a player loan system should be something the NRL considers to help out expansion teams.

He also pointed to previous successful examples, including Harry Grant’s time with the Tigers and subsequent development at Melbourne, as evidence it could benefit the other clubs too.

“Every team has their roster in order and their projected five-year plan in order. They have their backups almost ready to go, but they’re in behind (the starter),” Graham said.

“Look at Melbourne. They have Papenhuyzen and Hughes. They have Fa’alogo in behind and Jonah Pezet in behind and we saw with Harry Grant when he was behind Cameron Smith, the opportunity for him to be loaned out to the Wests Tigers.

“I just think it’s an area we can look at. Other guys that come to mind... Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at the Dolphins. We know Trai Fuller’s an exceptional fullback and has done well in first grade.

“I think we need to think a little bit outside the box of how we manage two new teams coming in the competition and player depth.”

Originally published as ‘I’ll be talking to him’: Mal confirms interest in Tigers star as likely ‘top of list’ Bears target revealed