Koroisau devastated by Green's departure

Nov 21, 2017 - 5:41 AM Manly hooker Api Koroisau admits being left "devastated" by the club's decision to release Blake Green to take up an NRL contract elsewhere.

The Sea Eagles on Monday allowed Green to leave and were immediately linked with Mitchell Pearce, who was let go by the Sydney Roosters on the same day.

In camp with Fiji for Friday's Rugby League World Cup semi-final against Australia, Koroisau said Green had left a big hole to fill after impressing in his one year at Brookvale.

"I was devastated, I'm not going to lie. He was one of the most well-liked blokes around the club," Koroisau said on Tuesday.

"He was always happy, bringing up the boys and definitely setting off his energy around the place. To lose him is pretty tough but hopefully we can get someone to take his place."

Koroisau credited Green as a major factor in the Sea Eagles making the finals this year, but backed the club to recruit a player of similar calibre.

"For someone new to come into the club like that and have the effect that he did was massive. Now we lose someone with his experience and his playing game," he said.

"I thought he really complemented Cherry-Evans really well. To have that gone is going to be big but I'm sure we'll find someone hopefully for the role."

Koroisau described Pearce as the best playmaker in the competition over the first half of 2017.

"I know he did get bagged for the way he performed in Origins but he was easily the best halfback in the comp for the first half of this season that's for sure," he said.

"I just love the way he controls the game, he really runs the ball to the line.

"You really need a half that's going to take it to the line if you want to create the numbers on the outside. His kicking game's exceptional as well."

Source: AAP