Isaiah Papali’i, a forward for the Wests Tigers, is said to have experienced an injury setback after being forced off the pitch against the North Queensland Cowboys last weekend.
Following a hip-drop tackle by Valentine Holmes that sent the centre into the sin bin, Papali’i left the field. Nevertheless, he did not face a suspension; instead, he was simply assessed a $1800 fine.
The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that he sustained a syndesmosis injury and will need surgery. He is expected to be sidelined for the next two months.
Papali’i’s injury will put him on the same side as John Bateman (pec injury), David Klemmer (three weeks), and Aiden Sezer (one week)—a major setback for Benji Marshall and the Wests Tigers.
It also coincides with the news that he will officially be freed from the Tigers contract at the conclusion of the current campaign, with plans to sign with the Penrith Panthers in 2025.
The final year of the ex-Dally M Second Rower of the Year’s contract has been bought out by the Panthers, and he will be moving to Penrith on a three-year deal that will last until at least the conclusion of the 2027 campaign, according to The Herald.
As a result, he will be formally released from the Wests Tigers’ roster, and the team won’t be required to give the Panthers any additional funding.
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