Api Koroisau opens up about leaving Panthers for West Tigers: ‘We all want to win a Premier League’

West Tigers recruit Api Koroisau has been enjoying his time at his new club while coming to terms with his move from back-to-back Premiership Panthers to basement dwellers Tigers.

In one of the biggest moves during the NRL offseason, Koroisau left the Panthers’ comfort to lead the Tigers as they attempt to rebuild and climb the ladder.

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Koroisau will be the Tigers’ starting hooker and forge a successful partnership with star halfback Luke Brooks.

The three-time Premiership winner has worked with Tiger’s fellow great hooker and assistant coach Robbie Farah during pre-season training and has been impressed with the experience.

“I come here every day and I’m still learning so much from Robbie,” said Koroisau.

“It’s great, it’s humbling you so much to understand that I don’t know nearly as much as I think I do.

“It’s pretty exciting to be able to take away so many new things.”

Koroisau got off to a rocky start with the Tigers when he made a joke during the Panthers’ Premiership celebrations last season that the bottom-placed Tigers would win the Premiership this season.

“Just going that high is pretty amazing and I’ll probably do the same for the Tigers,” said Koroisau before bursting out laughing.

Koroisau’s comments drew criticism from Tigers fans and was called “distasteful” by former rugby league great Braith Anasta, while Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis said the comments had been “handled privately”.

Koroisau is just one of several big signings for the struggling Tigers and has been joined at the club by Isaiah Papali’i, David Klemmer and England international John Bateman as they look to break away from the wooden spoon last season.

Koroisau said he enjoyed working with the new recruits.

“They aren’t afraid to educate me about what I’m trying to do for the team and what they expect from me,” said Koroisau.

“I think that’s going to work really well.”

After Koroisau and the signings have guided the club into the top eight for over a decade without participating in the finals, expectations are high.

Koroisau urges fans to be patient as the team will need some time to come together.

“We all want to win the prime ministerial post, but right now the most important thing for us is to get the basics right,” Koroisau said.

“Make sure we have a good pre-season and when the trials come we look like a football team.”

The 30-year-old recently revealed that the Tigers were the team he supported as a youngster and he is looking forward to the upcoming season.

“This (the Tigers) was my club growing up,” revealed Koroisau.

“I am very happy to be here and to be part of something special with the renovation.”