Papali'i admits "a massive challenge" awaits him at the Tigers

Isaiah Papali’i admits “a massive challenge” awaits him at the Wests Tigers but the star back-rower is nevertheless enthusiastic about making the move.

Parramatta back-rower Isaiah Papali’i remains enthusiastic about his impending move to the Wests Tigers despite the club’s tumultuous season on and off the field.

One of the reigning Dally M Second Rowers of the Year, Papali’i signed a three-year contract with the Tigers before the season began and will join the side in 2023.

He’ll arrive at a club hoping to atone for another disappointing season and attempting to do so with a new head coach, who is still to be named.
Papali’i says he is under no illusions about what lies ahead.

“It’s a massive challenge. There’s no hiding that,” he said.

“But to be able to be a part of something, starting from the ground up, is something that I’ll be proud of.”

The Tigers will hope the arrivals of Papali’i and dual premiership-winning hooker Api Koroisau can help to instil a winning culture at the club, which has not played finals football since 2011.

“I’ve got to soak in as much as I can while I’m here,” Papali’i said.

“Parra is a good club and they have a lot to offer so I want to make sure that I’m not just learning on the field but also off it, so I can take that elsewhere when I do jump in that Tigers system.

“I want to make sure that I look after myself first and then hopefully have people around me (at the Tigers) who will jump on the same boat.”
The Eels could soon be forced to part with more than just Papali’i.

Waqa Blake, Will Penisini, Dylan Brown, Shaun Lane, Nathan Brown and Maika Sivo are regular members of Parramatta’s best 17 and all come off contract at the end of next season.

Bryce Cartwright, Sean Russell, Jakob Arthur, Mitch Rein and Wiremu Greig have all played first grade this year and are also without Eels contracts after 2023.

The club will struggle to keep everyone and has already given Brown permission to negotiate with rivals.

Penisini, who has played the equal most games of any Eel this year, has not considered the possibility of needing to find another club.

“I’ve been here my whole life and I was a junior here. I’ve loved my time at this club,” he said.

“I haven’t thought about (the future beyond 2023), I’m just focusing week by week.”

By: Jasper Bruce, AAP