Api’s original sin continues to grow

Panthers hooker Apisai Koroisau will be told on Tuesday that he is out of Origin for at least the 2022 series and is long odds to play for the Blues again as the level of his deception becomes more apparent.

Koroisau was in the room of another hotel guest on the 13th floor of the Sofitel in Brisbane for at least an hour in the lead-up to the second Origin clash, a game he could have played in had there been a problem with another player in the warm-up.

What’s more, the woman at the centre of the controversy – in which Koroisau breached NRL biosecurity rules and was subsequently fined and suspended – claims he told her one of his teammates was aware of his actions.

The Koroisau camp strongly denies any Blues player knew anything about his behaviour. They say Koroisau is focusing on his wife’s mental health.

Blues management are furious at the breach of trust. This revelation will disturb the Blues but won’t make a difference to the penalty.

NSW Rugby League officials have not interviewed Koroisau. Only Blues coach Brad Fittler has talked to him. NSWRL officials have not spoken to the woman and do not intend to do so.

Apisai Koroisau might have blown his chance to play for the Blues again.Credit:NRL Photos

This column is aware that a 31-year-old Queensland woman, who Koroisau met via social media, checked in to the team hotel in Brisbane at midday on the Sunday of Origin II and Koroisau was in her room within 30 minutes of her checking in. He had offered to bring her to his room despite having a roommate, Panthers star Liam Martin. There is no suggestion that Martin was aware of Koroisau’s actions or played any role in the deception.

The woman, who does not wish to be named, says Koroisau returned to her room after the Blues thumped Queensland 26-0 in Origin II to claim the series. Without passing judgment on Koroisau’s morals, it is becoming increasingly apparent he had little respect for what the team was trying to do or for team management.

The woman says Koroisau also gave thought to trying to bring her into their Kingscliff camp, despite the presence of team security, team management and a COVID compliance officer, former Blues enforcer Mark O’Meley. She says she told Koroisau she had no desire to sneak around and potentially get caught. She had made arrangements to be in Kingscliff but cancelled them.

It is becoming increasingly apparent to NSWRL officials that Koroisau can’t have any involvement with the team in the immediate future.

The woman claims she was not aware initially of who Koroisau was and that he had a wife. She says she did not get paid by the Daily Mail Australia, which broke the story. The woman decided to contact Koroisau’s wife, Amy, when she saw her professing her love for Koroisau on social media.

She says she is happy to speak to NSW management.

Pangai v Radley II

Tevita Pangai jnr made a low-key entry into the Panthers set-up, arriving unheralded on Thursday at their Twin Waters base. He met the team but has been training on his own away from the group as they were preparing for last night’s blockbuster against the Storm.

Pangai will train with the side from tomorrow and will play against the Roosters on Saturday. The last time Pangai played the Bondi boys he terrorised halfback Sam Walker and had a running battle with Victor Radley on a night of madness and mayhem.

The Roosters No.13 was sin-binned twice, put on report four times and subsequently suspended for five weeks, which almost certainly cost him a Blues jumper.

It should be fun to watch round two. This time Pangai will have a decent pack to back him up.

Taken for granted

The perils of allowing politicians into rugby league were laid bare this week when International Rugby League chairman Troy Grant turned on the very people who appointed him.

Grant, who is a former NSW National Party leader, was given a professional lifeline in March when he was appointed to the role after five years out of the public spotlight. His promotion from obscurity was led by senior figures on the ARL Commission, including chairman Peter V’landys and former chairman Peter Beattie.

IRL chairman Troy Grant.Credit:Peter Rae

So the commission had every reason to expect he would support their decision not to send an Australian team to the World Cup in England at the end of the year due to COVID concerns. Instead, Grant launched a tirade against the Australian and New Zealand bosses, claiming they did not adequately consult with the players before pulling out.

“The obvious question being asked of us is why rugby league players are not able to make the same sacrifices as players from other sports?” he asked. “Sadly, players are telling me they haven’t had the opportunity to make that decision for themselves.”

The ARLC is furious at Grant’s outburst considering he was given the plum role ahead of a host of rugby league identities who coveted the position.

Grant’s stance has painted the World Cup decision – which was the right one – as being rushed through when, in fact, senior players were widely consulted.

Bad press

It was hard to work out who the players’ families were more angry with during the week: Wests Tigers player James Roberts for getting caught on his balcony when he shouldn’t have been there; or the TV news reporter who teamed up with paparazzi to spy on families.

There was no doubt at the NRL, however. They pointed the finger at the media. The NRL had been getting reports of a media outlet hiring a hotel room across the road from where families were staying to spy on them. V’landys slammed the media for looking for a “gotcha moment”. The tactics got Roberts at a weak moment. They have been noted by the game’s bosses.

Nick of time

The wives and families of NRL players have been through some tough days in quarantine, particularly with the decision to deprive them of fresh air. But the Roosters’ families were given a hamper by the club, which included chocolate, wine and toys and games for the kids.

It was accompanied by a lovely letter from chairman Nick Politis. All class.

Radradra-ha-ha: Semi has last laugh

Semi Radradra and his agent, George Christodoulou, copped plenty of criticism when the former Eels star made the leap to European rugby after the 2017 NRL season. But they are the ones laughing now.

Radradra picked up an Olympic gold medal in rugby sevens during the week – and he can keep it in the safe with the riches he is earning in the 15-man game.

He is making close to $2 million a year – almost double what the best NRL players are pocketing. Radradra was offered $500,000 a year to stay with the Eels.

He has already captained his country in the 15-man game and been nominated twice as the European player of the year. Seems like the code switch was a pretty smart decision.

NRL stars face the vax

The Roosters are leading an NRL vaccination drive, putting up key figures James Tedesco and Boyd Cordner to promote the need to get the jab. Peter V’landys will call on 10 of the game’s top players to become vaccination “leaders” for the code. The game’s chairman is a strong believer that vaccination is the only long-term way out of the mess that NSW is in and wants players to be front and centre of that.

“We can’t force players to get vaccinated,” V’landys said. “It’s their choice. But in the next few days I’ll be on the phone to players and you will see a campaign roll out.”

It follows a meeting he and NRL boss Andrew Abdo had with Lieutenant-General John Frewen, co-ordinator general of the National COVID Vaccine Taskforce.

There are some notable anti-vaxxers in the NRL playing group, and that could be an issue. “When we asked the players to get the flu shot last year, 99 per cent took that up,” V’landys said.

French correction

There was a bold play from French team Catalans Dragons to snare Englishman Luke Thompson from the Bulldogs for a short stint. With Canterbury just making up the numbers this year, it could have saved them some money under the cap. In the end, the NRL didn’t allow it to happen.

Billy money

The Panthers want to lock away Viliame Kikau in a hurry because, on the open market, he is going to get offers of $800,000 or so. He will be seen as a prime signing for a struggling club, and that’s where a “silly” offer could come forth.

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