Papali’i embracing new challenge at Wests Tigers

New Wests Tigers signing Isaiah Papali’i is excited by the challenge of helping the club usher in a new era under the guidance of premiership-winning coach Tim Sheens in 2023.

Alongside representative hooker Api Koroisau, Papali’i is the Wests Tigers’ major off-season recruit, as they seek to improve on a miserable 2022 Telstra Premiership campaign which saw them win just four games on their way to the wooden spoon.

On a flying visit to the club’s new Centre of Excellence, the Zurich Centre at Concord Oval, the 24-year-old said he was looking forward to joining the squad properly for the pre-season on January 4.

“I think just jumping into a new team and experiencing new challenges [is exciting],” Papali’i said.  

I am really excited to come back and start training, getting into work and getting around the boys and coaching staff.

Isaiah Papali'i

“Looking forward to gelling with those boys and the rest of the team, so that when it comes to game day we are ready to go."

Papali'i arrives at the Wests Tigers off the back of his best season to date at NRL level, in which he played in all of the Eels' 28 games and averaged 140 run metres and 3.5 tackle breaks per game.

After heading straight to England following his side’s Grand Final loss to the Panthers in October, Papali’i spent the second half of November travelling Europe with his partner Elle.

Before linking up his teammates in the new year, the Kiwi international will enjoy his first Christmas with family back home in Auckland since leaving the Warriors at the end of 2020. 

“I have a had a few weeks to travel Europe and relax and get my mind off things," he said. 

“I am really looking forward to getting home and being around [Elle] and the family.

“It was definitely a difficult few years with no travelling happening for a pretty long period [due to COVID-19].”

Meanwhile Papali'i said his friends and family will be gathering in numbers for the round 24 home match the Wests Tigers are taking to New Zealand next season, with the club playing the Warriors at FMG Stadium in Hamilton. 

“I will have a big crew coming out. I haven’t got to play in New Zealand for a while in an NRL side, I got to play in the mid-year Test in the 2022 season and that was unreal," he said.

“I am sure the home game this coming season won’t be any different.”