The Tigers’ boss is on a secret mission in the UK as the $750k star’s sudden exit looms.
The Tigers seem poised for a roster overhaul after Isaiah Papali’i was granted permission to end his three-year contract a year early. The 25-year-old, contracted until the end of 2025 with a $750,000 deal for next season, will leave at the end of this season to join the Panthers until 2027. According to reports, Papali’i received formal permission to leave over a month ago.
The Tigers will start their preparations for Round 14 of the NRL against the Dragons, with odds favoring the Dragons at $1.40 compared to the Tigers at $3.00.
Papali’i’s signing by the Wests Tigers at the end of the 2022 season was considered a marquee deal by his former NZ coach Michael Maguire, who was sacked by the Tigers before Papali’i’s arrival. However, in his 32 games with the Tigers, Papali’i has not matched his previous elite performance levels from his time with the Eels.
His departure will free up significant salary cap space for coach Benji Marshall to rebuild the struggling club, which has lost seven consecutive games. Papali’i is likely not the last player to leave, as the Sydney Morning Herald reports that Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson is in England on a secret mission to negotiate early releases for several players by striking deals with Super League clubs.
According to NRL 360 reporter Michael Carayannis, other potential departures include Jayden Sullivan, Brent Naden, and Charlie Staines. With Panthers halfback Jarome Luai joining next season, Sullivan appears the most likely to leave the Tigers’ halves.
Braith Anasta commented on the situation, noting that while Luai is a great signing, many of the Tigers’ recent signings have been puzzling, leading to their current struggles.
