Star recruit Isaiah Papali’i met with the Tigers after having told those close to him he wants to remain at Parramatta next year.
www.smh.com.au
Why the Wests Tigers think they’ve salvaged the Isaiah Papali’i deal
July 12, 2022 — 2.49pm
The Wests Tigers have held a meeting with star recruit Isaiah Papali’i in a desperate plea to avoid an ugly standoff over his services for next season.
The Parramatta back-rower has agreed to a three-year deal with the Tigers from 2023, but has been having second thoughts about his decision.
Papali’i has told those close to him that he wants to remain at the Eels next year. Sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to the
Herald that Papali’i met with Tigers management a fortnight ago to raise his concerns.
They took him on a tour of the club’s centre of excellence in Concord, which is nearing completion, to show him what he could look forward to.
As of Tuesday morning, a Tigers official told the
Herald that it had been indicated to them that Papali’i would honour his deal.
Papali’i has not requested a release. The meeting was arranged to seek clarity about the future of the club given the uncertainty surrounding the next coach.
Isaiah Papali’i in action against the Wests Tigers earlier in the year.Credit:NRL Photos
Parramatta missed out on the back-rower’s signature after offering an underwhelming extension proposal late last year.
Parramatta were willing to upgrade his 2022 contract, which is worth $200,000, to about $275,000. They also offered him a two-year extension on top worth around $425,000 a season.
The Eels later increased that offer but Papali’i had already accepted the Tigers’ offer of a three-year deal worth in excess of $1.8m.
Having missed out on the services of Reed Mahoney, Oregon Kaufusi and Marata Niukore, the Eels have the salary cap space to keep him at the club. They’ve also granted Nathan Brown permission to talk to rival clubs about an immediate release. The Eels declined to comment when contacted.
It is understood Papali’i is citing the sacking of Michael Maguire as the reason for his change of heart.
He is also concerned about whether assitant coaches Nathan Cayless and Ben Gardiner, who he previously formed a bond with in Kiwi camp, will both be at the club next year as per the arrangement when he signed.
The Tigers have asked him to give the club more time to sort out its future before making his next move.
Fellow recruit Api Koroisau has indicated to Tigers officials that he has no such concerns and will honour his deal with the club from next season.
More to come
No doubt he and others will be super keen to come knowing Sheens is in charge and the plan is 2 years later he will be replaced by a rookie coach. It just doesn't get any more enticing than that.
