Rugby League

Great feeling for Koroisau playing Origin at Tigers

Jun 14, 2026

Api Koroisau. — Api Koroisau is back in NSW blue, despite his Wests Tigers' recent poor run of results. -AAP Image

In the past five years, most NRL teams have had twice as many State of Origin representatives as struggling Wests Tigers.

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So to be selected for a NSW recall feels all the more "incredible" for Tigers co-captain Api Koroisau.

Normally stocked with Kiwi talent ineligible for Origin, the Warriors are the only team who have had fewer representatives than Wests in the last five series.

Other than Manly, St George Illawarra and Canberra, each with five representatives, every other NRL team has had at least six reps in that time - twice as many as the Tigers' three.

Stefano Utoikamanu, Jarome Luai and Koroisau are the only men's Tigers players to have represented their state since the beginning of 2022.

Even then, Luai and Koroisau had already made their Origin debuts prior to arriving at the Tigers.

Since their first season as a joint venture in 2000, only the Warriors (8) and Dolphins (6) have had fewer representatives than their 12, with the latter only entering the competition in 2023.

With Mark Nawaqanitawase rushed in to make his NSW debut at the MCG, the Sydney Roosters have had 12 in the last five series.

Koroisau was given a rousing reception on Monday when he told his Tigers teammates he had earned a Blues call-up, and possible fifth Origin cap.

"They were all great, man, they were incredible, they all messaged me, all shook my hand on Monday before I came into camp," the hooker said.

"It's incredible (to represent the Tigers at Origin).

"The Tigers are such a big fan base and they've been so good to us so it's nice to be able to get one on there for them."

At 33, Koroisau is the oldest player in the Blues' team for game two and thought his time in the Origin arena may have been over.

A suspension cruelled his chances of selection for game one and allowed Blayke Brailey to make his NSW debut as bench hooker.

But when Brailey injured his arm two days after Origin I, Laurie Daley was forced to turn to Koroisau as back-up for starting rake Reece Robson.

"I didn't think I would be (back), to be fair. But I was always going to be ready if he did need me," he said.

"Blayke was actually playing some great footy. It was going to be near impossible to say no to what he was doing and producing out there. I think it was a fair call (picking him for game one)."

STATE OF ORIGIN REPRESENTATIVES BY CLUB (2022-)*

Sydney Roosters - 12^

Brisbane - 9

Penrith - 9

North Queensland - 7

Parramatta - 7

Newcastle - 6^

South Sydney - 6

Dolphins - 6

Cronulla - 6

Gold Coast - 6

Melbourne - 6