Api Koroisau hopes his milestone game will end in celebrations for the Tigers as the club looks to move on from a nightmare run of sagas and poor results.
Benji Marshall’s men have struggled to escape the headlines recently due to the looming departure of Jarome Luai to the Eels as well as Adam Doueihi’s decision to abandon his team due to a position switch call made by his coach.
Api Koroisau speaks to media. Nine
To add to hurt of their internal issues, the Tigers are on a six-game losing streak.
Marshall addressed the media earlier this week and insisted that his team is ready to move on from their internal issues, specifically that of Doueihi’s choices.
Doueihi, himself, says he has come to terms with how his decision hurt his team and understands that his stubborn nature got in the way. The playmaker has been named to start in the halves against the Eels, as he typically has done this season.
While Marshall and Doueihi hoped the door was now shut on that internal issue, Koroisau was asked about the playing group’s view on the saga.
“I think it’s been dealt with pretty good behind closed doors,” he replied.
“I think he’s good. I think the boys have been really receptive towards him as well … we just sort of (learn to) deal with that.
“We’ll leave (those conversations) in-house, it was between us and Adam.”
Koroisau, who is celebrating his 250th NRL game, turned his attention to the fierce match up his team has coming for them this week in the Eels.
The experienced hooker knows a victory over their Western Sydney rivals will help to silence the noise about the internal state and future of the Tigers.
“For us there’s just been so much talk and so much chaos, so for us it’s about going out this weekend and putting on a performance,” Koroisau said.
“I think rugby league is built on that. And if we go out there and have a good performance, I’m sure it’ll all quiet down.
“There’s a lot of noise and everything that comes from the outside, but us, in these four walls, we’ve been pretty good. The boys are sticking solid with each other.”
Api Koroisau and the Tigers look on after conceding a try. Getty Images
The noise around the Tigers is one that Koroisau knows is often an unwanted part of the job in any footy player’s career, witnessing similar sagas unfold elsewhere.
But the path he took from being a young junior who made his NRL debut at the Rabbitohs in 2014, to becoming a three-time premiership winner and now the captain at the Wests Tigers is one he dearly values.
In fact, he says he “wouldn’t change anything” about his career.
“Even with everything what’s gone down, I love this place,” he said of his time at the Tigers.
“A growth area for myself is understanding I’ve been through some hard times here and understanding I can still help people, regardless of how we’re tracking.
“I love the boys that are here and will do anything I can to help them.”