News Manly hooker Apisai Koroisau poised to sign three-year deal with Canterbury

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Malla

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Obviously some of them will never get it. They wanted the dogs of war, we will have the 2 hardest hitting hookers in comp along with b. Smith. Along with jmk progression and api experience we will finally get some quick ball and flat passing.
Best possible hooker option available at a reasonable price. Bravo club.

And finchie u made it too obvious. Only person at an out of town club that can fill in anywhere in the backline and forwards is jack bird. Those mentioning oates.....theres a good reason he has 5 on his back.
Cotric is only a centre slash winger at moment.
Its got to be bird, they release him they keep fifita. Then they retire boyd if possible and the broncos are back on track from paying Wayne's overs.
Without a doubt.

Api was one of the best players on the field in 2014 grand final. He's been great for Manly. He had to go because of salary cap pressures and Fainu was on substantially less. Even then, we paid just about his market value for him. I don't get why people are calling it paying overs? How much did they expect?? He is only 26. Yes he's had a few injuries but who hasn't? LOL
 

axeman23

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Without a doubt.

Api was one of the best players on the field in 2014 grand final. He's been great for Manly. He had to go because of salary cap pressures and Fainu was on substantially less. Even then, we paid just about his market value for him. I don't get why people are calling it paying overs? How much did they expect?? He is only 26. Yes he's had a few injuries but who hasn't? LOL
To be honest, I think a few of us (myself definitely included) were pretty surprised to find out he was "only" 26, he's got a bit of an "old" face, no? And do you blame people for being nervous about injuries, with the Foran (and B-Moz) saga?
 

wendog33

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To be honest, I think a few of us (myself definitely included) were pretty surprised to find out he was "only" 26, he's got a bit of an "old" face, no? And do you blame people for being nervous about injuries, with the Foran (and B-Moz) saga?
Can add Bird too if he's the mystery signing.
 

GrogDog

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I'm happy, best hooker available and we signed him (it looks like). What else can the club do? Had we got Levi or kept Lichaa that would have been 1000 times worse. I think API and JMK could have a nice rotation.
 

Daustin

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If we have signed api then there’s a very good chance manly are chipping in to unload him as he still has 2 years of his contract with them left. The club has been very smart in manoeuvring to sign quality players in positions of need while also getting them for a good price (DWZ, Koroisau). Makes all the difference for the salary cap and it’s nice to see us doing some proper accounting again haha
 

Straight18

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To be honest, I think a few of us (myself definitely included) were pretty surprised to find out he was "only" 26, he's got a bit of an "old" face, no? And do you blame people for being nervous about injuries, with the Foran (and B-Moz) saga?
Thats why people should look into things harder before giving it to our players.
Injuries will always be apart of rugby league.
If its a foran, jack bird, b moz yes there are big risks there, but api is not at that level of broken, small men constantly hitting blokes 25 kg heavier are going to get injured generally its life.
And des is not here anymore looking after his mates so hopefully the club is doing more homework on the players we recruit.
 

Spoonman84

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Canterbury has won the race to sign Api Koroisau.
The Manly hooker will cut his contract short and jump ship to the Bulldogs ahead of the 2020 NRL season.

Foxsports.com.au revealed a fortnight ago his decision was down to the Bulldogs and Warriors.

On Wednesday, his manager Gian Lombardo told foxsports.com.au no final decision has been made. But it’s understood the deal is as good as done.

Ultimately the premiership-winning rake opted to remain in Sydney, shunning slightly more money and a chance to move to Auckland.

It’s believed the Sea Eagles are chipping in some of his salary for at least next season, and possibly the following one, given he was contracted to the club until 2021.

He would have been earning close enough to $1 million for the next two seasons on the northern beaches. His three-year Dogs deal will net him close to $1.5 million.

Koroisau played the 2014 grand final with South Sydney, replacing the suspended Issac Luke at hooker for the big dance.

He then went to Penrith for a season in 2015, before moving to Manly in 2016 where he’s played 73 games.

Koroisau has previously been considered on the cusp of State of Origin selection for NSW, but has been plagued by injury in 2019.

Still only 26 years old, Koroisau has been pushed down the No.9 pecking order by Sea Eagles young gun Manase Fainu, who the club extended earlier this year.

Fainu is costing the club less money for the short term, and releasing Koroisau will free up some salary cap space for the retention of Tom and Jake Trbojevic, as well as Dylan Walker.

Canterbury will welcome the addition of a quality specialist hooker.

Fa’amanu Brown hasn’t been offered a new deal, while it’s believed Michael Lichaa could also leave Belmore at season’s end.

On Wednesday, Koroisau spoke to media about being tapped on the shoulder by coach Des Hasler.

“It wasn’t unexpected, but it was something I haven’t experienced before,” Koroisau told AAP.

“It was more like I had a really good student behind me. My protege was playing some unbelievable footy.

“He is an unbelievable player, he is only 21 and out of all the positions in the squad it’s where we have the depth.

“In my mind I had been playing out that scenario. In the end it came true, but it still doesn’t make any easier to take on the chin.

“It is what it is, footy is footy, it’s a business now and you’ve just got to roll with the punches.”

Koroisau’s decision, meantime, could have ramifications for Newcastle hooker Danny Levi.

Foxsports.com.au understands the Warriors and Bulldogs have also expressed interest in Levi, but were waiting on Koroisau’s decision.

With Koroisau headed to Belmore it could push Levi into the Warriors’ arms.

Levi was given permission to leave Newcastle, although the exit of coach Nathan Brown may yet play a role in him staying put in the Hunter.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...l/news-story/325d1fe35fe7411e0653887e8b96eda3
 

B-Train

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I'm glad to hear Manly are chipping something in. I'm looking forward to the service he'll provide and hopefully we see his running game come back after a big offseason. If he can stay injury free, he'll be a great signing. With Api though that's a big if and that's the only thing causing some fans to be apprehensive.

The best thing to come out of all this is that Lichaa is finally gone and we didn't end up with Levi!
 

cookieman909

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Sounds like $500K a season with Manly chipping in this year and next. Good result IMO.
 

GrogDog

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So anyone up to speed as to his recent injuries so we can discuss there impact if any after a preseason rest?

At 26 the bloke has a good chunk of career left. Must admit I watched a little harder last week his game. He looks quick between the ears from dummy half which will be a very nice change. We usually experience a few seconds delay from the play of the ball and those added seconds can be a massive difference in rolling forward.
 

Craystar

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Cant compare mate. If Foran was on 500k it would be ok but the blokes on upwards of a mil. Bmoz signed on for around 800k a year.

500k for a top tier hooker is cheap
Your top tier hookers are Smith and Cook.

Next best experienced hooker under them is Cameron McInnes.

Best young hookers are Fainu and Brailey.

The remainder of the pack are on par with each other.

That 500k could of been spent on something far much better than Api Koroisau! That dough along with Lichaas money is a total of around 850k?

Would rather Latrell Mitchell @ 850k at left centre and JMK at hooker than Koroisau at hooker and Holland at left centre
 
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