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Super League star Krystian Mapapalangi has revealed that there were plenty of suitors chasing his signature earlier this year, but ultimately, Castleford Tigers was the club for him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mapapalangi only joined Super League at the start of the season, making a late switch in January from Newcastle Knights. That meant he missed most of pre-season with the club, but after just a fortnight of being in the UK, he put on a brilliant display on debut in defeat to Wigan Warriors.<\/p>\n
The centre has been Castleford\u2019s best player, or at least in their top three, in every game this season, highlighting his consistency as well as his talent. His performances began to quickly attract suitors, so the Tigers knew they had to tie him down long-term as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
That is why, in May, a huge sigh of relief was breathed by every Tigers fan when the club announced he had put pen to paper on a deal until the end of 2029.<\/p>\n
However, things could have panned out differently, with Mapapalangi confirming to\u00a0Serious About Rugby League\u00a0that other clubs were interested in him. However, the Castleford project and Ryan Carr were just some of the reasons he opted to stay at the Onebore Stadium.<\/p>\n
Explaining how his new deal came about, the electric number 23 said: \u201cI spoke to Carry [Ryan Carr, head coach] after a couple of rounds, and he told me his plans for the club, and I\u2019m really invested in what he\u2019s building.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe brought me over here as well, with Chezzy [Chris Chester]. I just wanted to repay the faith as well, for them showing faith in me coming off a couple of injuries, but repaying the faith and seeing the vision they\u2019ve got for the next couple of years.<\/p>\n
On the other interested parties, he revealed: \u201cThere were other teams. I\u2019m not going to name them, but there were definitely a lot of teams that were coming in.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt took me a couple of weeks to decide, but I knew in the end I wanted to be at Castleford. It\u2019s a good place that I want to be at.\u201d<\/p>\n
Krystian Mapapalangi explains why Castleford Tigers as boss and wing partner hailed<\/p>\n
Asked for the reasons why he decided to stay at Wheldon Road, \u2018Maps\u2019 explained that two people in particular have allowed him to find his best rugby \u2013 head coach Carr and left edge partner Jason Qareqare.<\/p>\n
On Carr, the centre said: \u201cHe\u2019s really good. I think he\u2019s got the best out of me and the best out of some players here. He\u2019s really calm, but he\u2019s very smart at the same time in the way he wants to play.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he gives a lot of confidence to the boys. He\u2019s definitely given confidence to me, which I can show on the field, which is good. I just really enjoy him being our coach.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both Mapapalangi and Qareqare have a combined total of 30 try contributions between them this season, with Qareqare having 13 tries, one assist and Mapapalangi having eight of each.<\/p>\n
The partnership works well because of the two\u2019s relationship off the field as well as on it, with the Fijian winger being praised by his centre partner for the bond they have formed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s mainly off the field that sort of helps us on the field,\u201d he said.\u00a0\u201cWe\u2019re really close off the field, and we\u2019re sort of similar personalities.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that\u2019s helped us click really well on the field, and I\u2019m really happy that he\u2019s signed for three years as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
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