Phil Gould has raised concerns regarding Api Koroisau’s diminishing presence in the NSW Blues selection discussions, especially as the competition for the hooker spot intensifies. Over the last two State of Origin series, Reece Robson has been the primary hooker, but he now faces significant competition from Blayke Brailey, who had an outstanding season with the Sharks in 2025. With Robson’s recent transfer to the Sydney Roosters, he is still very much in contention for the role.
Koroisau, who has only represented the Blues four times and has seen his standing drop since moving to the Wests Tigers, is being overlooked despite his solid performances. Gould expressed his astonishment during an episode of Wide World of Sports’ “Six Tackles With Gus,” stating, “I can’t understand it.” He believes Koroisau should be a frontrunner for selection, particularly given his previous successful collaboration with other Penrith players likely to be on the team.
Gould highlighted Koroisau’s stability and experience as noteworthy attributes, emphasizing that he contributes positively to the team’s dynamics and can significantly influence match outcomes. He questioned the selectors’ rationale for passing him over, suggesting it might stem from the team’s poor performances prompting a search for change rather than performance-related criteria.
Moreover, Gould noted the implications of not selecting Koroisau, especially in light of the impact of Queensland’s Harry Grant in the dummy-half position, suggesting that overlooking Koroisau could impair NSW’s competitive edge. Koroisau, enjoying a successful run with the Tigers, acknowledged his aspiration to return to the Origin arena, stating, “if they ever did need me again, my hand’s up and ready to go.” He remains focused on delivering strong performances at the club level, asserting that his on-field actions will speak for themselves.
As the season continues, Koroisau and his high-performing Tigers will confront a significant challenge in round seven against Brisbane, whose squad is currently missing notable players such as Reece Walsh and Ben Hunt.