Tim Sheens speaks out amid furore around Api Koroisau captaincy call
The veteran coach has backed the decision to name the new signing as captain.
Tigers coach Tim Sheens has moved to defend his decision to name new recruit Api Koroisau as the new club captain, despite taking a dig at the club after last year's NRL grand final. Koroisau found himself in hot water last year when he made disparaging remarks about the Tigers during the Penrith Panthers' premiership parade.
The former Penrith No.9 was asked about his team's back-to-back grand final triumphs and jokingly said "and I'll probably do the same at the Tigers" before bursting out laughing. This prompted Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis to call out Koroisau's comment as 'tasteless'.
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However, Hagipantelis contacted Koroisau's agent to clear the incident and said: "Api is a thoroughly decent fellow and presents as such." And ahead of the new season, Sheens stunned fans when he announced Koroisau as the new club captain.
Koroisau insisted the comment had simply been a poor joke, and was hopeful his on-field skills would win over Tigers fans. Regardless, this didn't stop a number of fans questioning the reasoning behind granting the new star signing the honour of captain.
And Sheens spoke to 2GB Radio on Wednesday morning to assure fans that Koroisau was the right choice for the club. "What's done with a few beers in you after a grand final is..." Sheens said of his new captain.
“And of course the media are always going to hound you, and that’s the nature of the internet these days. Things are always out there. He hadn’t even arrived at the club at the time, and I’m happy with what’s happened since he got here and so are the players. So, again, I stress that they are the ones who have to be led by (Koroisau), and they felt (being) led by him is the way to go.”
Api Koroisau welcomes captaincy role
Koroisau has only been at the club for pre-season, but the star No.9 said his time at the club so far had been fantastic. “To be asked to lead this team in my first year at the club, means a lot,” he said in a statement.
“This is a terrific group of players, and I am honoured to be their captain. From the moment I joined this club, my family and I have been made to feel so welcome. It’s been a great start to my time as a Wests Tigers player and I look forward to helping this team and this club be the best it can be.”
His appointment also comes after the Tigers opted to go from having five captains last year under Michael Maguire to one this season with Tim Sheens in charge as coach. Adam Doueihi, Luke Brooks, and Ken Maumalo all remain in the Tigers' squad from last year's leadership group, with James Tamou and Tyrone Peachey both let go.
"We have several very capable leaders in this team, and Api is one of them," Sheens said. "He is very well respected within the group, and I know he'll do a great job."
The Wests Tigers will play the Canberra Raiders this weekend in a trial match.
with AAP
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