Api Koroisau’s State of Origin Hopes Dented by Suspension
Wests Tigers co-captain Api Koroisau’s chances of a State of Origin recall have taken a significant hit after he was handed a three-game ban. The dummy-half will miss the next three matches, which could jeopardize his prospects of being selected for the NSW Blues. This comes as another player, Brisbane Broncos forward Preston Riki, has accepted a one-game suspension, adding to the growing list of absentees in their squad.
Koroisau had been performing exceptionally well for the resurgent Tigers, putting himself back into contention for the No.9 jersey. He was competing with Blayke Brailey and Reece Robson for the position. However, his recent suspension has made him an unlikely candidate for selection, especially given the timing of the ban.
The Tigers’ dummy-half spent 10 minutes on the sideline in his team’s win over the Canberra Raiders after a hip-drop tackle on Noah Martin. The Match Review Committee imposed the suspension, marking the third time Koroisau has been charged this season. Rather than contest the decision, Koroisau and the Wests Tigers opted to accept the charge. Unfortunately for Koroisau, he won’t be playing NRL football until Round 13, as the Tigers have a bye in Round 12.
This suspension is a major setback for Koroisau, who now faces the challenge of being selected for Origin without playing any games before the team selections. It also poses a problem for the Tigers, who are losing their co-captain at a crucial time. Koroisau will miss upcoming matches against Cronulla, Melbourne, and Manly.
Tristan Hope is expected to step in as the No.9 for the Tigers in their match against the Sharks. Despite not challenging the ban, coach Benji Marshall expressed his frustration with the decision, calling it a harsh call on Koroisau during the victory.
“I don’t know what he’s supposed to do in that situation,” Marshall said after the game. “He’s making a cover tackle from behind, of course he’s going to land on (Martin’s) legs. There’s heaps of things that didn’t go our way, I just think the fans deserve some consistency around the interpretations of the rules, and we’re not getting it.”
Broncos Face Further Depth Crisis
Meanwhile, the Brisbane Broncos are dealing with their own set of challenges. Coach Michael Maguire will be without Preston Riki after he accepted a one-game ban following a high tackle in the win over the Bulldogs. Although Riki will only miss one week, the timing is unfortunate, as it adds to the team’s already depleted lineup.
Brendan Piakura is expected to miss four weeks due to a knee injury. The second-rower had recently returned from a pre-season knee injury but is now facing another month on the sidelines. ‘NRL Physio’ Brian Seeney noted that the injury involves the least commonly injured knee ligament and typically takes around four weeks to recover.
Piakura’s injury and Riki’s suspension are yet another blow to an already struggling Broncos outfit. During their recent win over the Bulldogs, the team was missing several key players, including Payne Haas, Reece Walsh, Ben Hunt, Patrick Carrigan, Corey Jensen, Grant Anderson, and Jesse Arthars. While Carrigan and Walsh are set to return this weekend, the Broncos continue to face challenges in maintaining a consistent lineup.
