Api Koroisau says ‘it’s just another game’ as he prepares to make his 200th NRL appearance against the Dolphins in Magic Round.
You and me, we know it’s not just another game, and deep down, so too does this champion who proudly carries the little ‘c’ next to his name.
But for all his talent, his courage, his brilliance, his resilience, his guile, his trickery, and his leadership…this game is not about him.
Api is not one for fanfare and headlines, he’s ‘team first’, and that’s all that counts.
His reluctance to talk up his double-tonne milestone is his way of politely diverting the spotlight, away from himself, and shining it on the team. Team first.
Rest assured; Api knows it’s a special achievement. Just as he knows how hard work, family, and teammates, have helped get him to where he is today.
As the three-time premiership winner runs out for game 200 on Sunday evening, it will be game number one for teammate, Sione Fainu.
And that’s a milestone Koroisau is more than ‘Api’ to talk about.
“Sione has worked so hard for this, and it’s great to see it happening,” he said.
“He has had a super pre-season, he’s a great bloke and I’m really happy for him.”
Not many players win a premiership in their debut season in the NRL, but this fella did.
The journey began at South Sydney where he made his NRL debut in 2014 playing against, and losing to, the Canberra Raiders in Round 4.
Fast forward six months and with #21 on his back, filling in for the suspended Isaac Luke, Api helped the Rabbitohs defeat the Bulldogs to break a 43-year premiership drought.
He collected his first premiership ring and headed for Penrith where he stayed for just the one season before playing four seasons at Manly, making the finals in two of those years.
It was then back to the Panthers, where he helped build a powerhouse. A grand final in his first year back at the foot of the mountains, and back-to-back premierships in the two seasons that followed.
His decision to leave the Panthers and join Wests Tigers in 2023 was a shock to many but what came as no surprise, was the club’s decision appoint Koroisau as the team captain.
His coach Benji Marshall speaks glowingly about his little No.9 saying he’s a person others choose to follow.
“Leadership’s not all about what you say or what you do, it’s when you turn around, who’s following you,” Marshall said.
“I can honestly say that these guys in the team, and even myself to an extent, look up to what he does.
“He plays with his all every week, he’s played injured many times when no one even knows.
He never complains, he just does his job, and we love having him here.
Benji Marshall Wests Tigers Coach
Two hundred games. Eleven seasons. Three premierships. One very humble human.
