Wests Tigers skipper Apisai Koroisau has confirmed that he will play hooker on Friday night against the New Zealand Warriors.
The confirmation from Koroisau – who missed last week due to injury – means the Tigers will unleash a new halves pairing of former U13s teammates Lachlan Galvin (five-eighth) and Latu Fainu (halfback).
“Playing hooker,” Koroisau confirmed on Tuesday.
As the club awaits the contract decision of Stefano Utoikamanu, the quartet of David Klemmer, John Bateman, Adam Doueihi and Justin Olam were all absent from training on Tuesday.
Second-rower Isaiah Papali’i will make his long-awaited return on Friday from injury, while Starford To’a was seen training in the centres and will provide coverage if Doueihi and Olam are unavailable.
READ MORE: Fleeing Papalii fesses up to poor form at Tigers
Isaiah Papalii has conceded he is the latest big-name player to fail to match expectations at Wests Tigers and lead a revival of the struggling NRL club.
Papalii will quit the Tigers at the end of the 2024 campaign, cutting short his three-year deal after just two seasons to join Penrith from the start of next year.
The New Zealand international arrived at Concord off a standout year in 2022 with Parramatta where he powered the Eels to the grand final and was named Dally M second-rower of the year.
But since his arrival at the Tigers, on a contract reportedly worth $750,000 per season, Papalii is the first to admit that he has flattered to deceive.
It’s why Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson told him he was free to leave, opening up salary cap room for coach Benji Marshall to play with.
Asked if he felt he had reached the bar he set during his barnstorming two seasons at the Eels, Papalii said: “To be honest, probably not, I think I’ve struggled to find form.
“That led to me asking for a definitive answer on whether my future was here.
“I think the club as a whole was trying to find their feet, you can tell that by the results and I think that’s what ‘Richo’ is doing.
“He is making some bold moves and that’s a credit to him because he’s doing it in the right way.
“For me it’s just been a struggle, (having) a few different halves and I guess the club is trying to build a foundation here.
“I wanted to make sure my job was secure post 2025 and there wasn’t an answer for that.
“I don’t think it was whether I wanted to stay or go, I wanted to know I was part of the picture but we both agreed my form wasn’t the best.”
The exit of Papalii, who will return from an ankle injury against the Warriors on Friday, has given the Tigers the spending power to retain Stefano Utoikamanu.
Prop Utoikamanu has been on a media ban as uncertainty grows over his commitment to the club.
Utoikamanu is expected to make a decision on his long-term future this week as he weighs up offers from Melbourne, with captain Api Koroisau urging the front-rower to recommit to the Tigers.
“I want him to stay, he’s obviously very proud of this team,” Koroisau said.
“At the end of the day we need great players and Stef is one of those and he’s a great leader.”
