Castleford Tigers recruit Krystian Mapapalangi may be settling in well to life in West Yorkshire, but his life could have been a lot different had he signed elsewhere a few seasons prior.
Mapapalangi is the latest signing to be announced at the club, and joins the likes of Mikaele Ravalawa, Blake Taaffe and Tom Weaver in making the move to the Tigers.
The 23-year-old centre will provide depth and competition for places in the backs, but after a revelation in a recent interview, the Aussie-born speedster had the opportunity to join a different Super League club earlier in his career.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds this week, Mapapalangi confirmed that he was in talks with Leigh Leopards over a move when he was younger.
Asked about how his move to the Onebore Stadium came about, he revealed: “I spoke to Carry [Ryan Carr] and Chez [Chris Chester]. I was speaking to [Chester] a couple of years ago, to go to Leigh Leopards, and then obviously that didn’t come through.
“Once the opportunity came up again, I though it was a good opportunity to play some consistent, high-level footy.”
Whilst his goals for this season are set on achieving with Castleford, the recruit has already got one eye on his longer term future, and explained how he wants to use his UK switch as a stepping stone to get back to playing first-grade in Australia.
“The Super League is a good competition,” he added. “With injuries and stuff I haven’t been able to hold down a spot back at home or cement a first-grade spot.
“I’ve always been in and out, so I thought if I come here and play some consistent, high-level footy, and better my footy, hopefully I can go back home and compete back in the NRL.”
Castleford Tigers recruit reveals how conversation with ex-Tiger helped with move
Whilst Mapapalangi himself is new to Super League, there are plenty of people from his past that are in the competition now, and he mentioned how those people helped him shape his move to the club.
Bailey Hodgson and David Armstrong, both of whom are now at Leigh, were together with him at Newcastle, as was St Helens star signing Jackson Hastings.
Brock Greacen is another who was part of the Knights’ set-up, and those two will be reunited at Castleford this year.
Another friend of Mapapalangi, Elie El-Zakhem, was a Tigers player in 2024, and gave a glowing report to the new signing – one that helped him decide to join the club.
Commenting on his influence, he said: “He’s a good mate of mine. I spoke to him before I came here and he told me it’s a good place to play.
“[He said] the stadium, when it’s packed out with Cas fans, it’s pretty surreal because they’re all on top of you so it’s a big occasion when they have a game here.
“Hopefully we can get some wins for them and go far into the season.”
As mentioned, the 23-year-old is a centre, though he has also played different roles in his career. He revealed which position he prefers, though is not bothered where he is asked to perform, so long as he is in the side.
“My preference is probably, or the position I enjoy playing the most is five-eighth [stand-off],” he confirmed.
“I played most of my high-level footy at centre, and some wing, so if I get the chance to play any of those positions I will take it with both hands.
“Last year, I was thrown in at centre, then at five-eighth, then at full-back, so I’m just happy to play, to be honest.”
