Koroisau to face rival in GF

State of Origin may be billed as “mate against mate” but Penrith rake Api Koroisau reckons it could also describe his upcoming battle with South Sydney rival Damien Cook in tomorrow’s NRL grandfinal.

It was in the Origin arena where the pair struck up a friendship that will now be tested in the season decider.

The duo would have been forgiven for looking over their shoulders as NSW teammates this year after Cook pipped Koroisau for the No.9 jersey, only for the latter to be included in the squad as back-up.

Instead they gave the term “friendly rivalry” a whole new meaning, bonding as they exchanged ideas to improve each other’s game.

History shows Cook helped spark

NSW as they reclaimed the Origin title while Koroisau managed one game off the bench in their 2-1 series win.

“I loved being in NSW camp with him. I asked him a few things and he was more than happy to talk to me about it,” Koroisau told AAP.

“He was one of the leaders there and just an overall good dude too, really generous.”

Koroisau would love nothing more than to collect another premiership ring after featuring in South Sydney’s 2014 success, but insisted it won’t get personal against his mate Cook.

“I love coming up against quality hookers, that individual battle,” he said.

“As a natural competitor you want to go out there and do your thing against them, it’s a lot of fun.

“Cooky plays so well every week. He is one of those guys who picks his time.

“We are going to have to be on our A game if we want to stop someone like him.”

Koroisau says he even has a soft spot for rivals South Sydney after making his NRL debut at the club, famously coming from the clouds to start in the 2014 decider after Issac Luke’s suspension.

“It’s the club I debuted at. I played 20s there. My time there was awesome,” said Koroisau, who is in his eighth season after stints at Penrith (2015) and Manly (2016-19) before returning to the Panthers last year.