Super League star Krystian Mapapalangi has revealed that there were plenty of suitors chasing his signature earlier this year, but ultimately, Castleford Tigers was the club for him.
Mapapalangi only joined Super League at the start of the season, making a late switch in January from Newcastle Knights. That meant he missed most of pre-season with the club, but after just a fortnight of being in the UK, he put on a brilliant display on debut in defeat to Wigan Warriors.
The centre has been Castleford’s best player, or at least in their top three, in every game this season, highlighting his consistency as well as his talent. His performances began to quickly attract suitors, so the Tigers knew they had to tie him down long-term as soon as possible.
That is why, in May, a huge sigh of relief was breathed by every Tigers fan when the club announced he had put pen to paper on a deal until the end of 2029.
However, things could have panned out differently, with Mapapalangi confirming to Serious About Rugby League that other clubs were interested in him. However, the Castleford project and Ryan Carr were just some of the reasons he opted to stay at the Onebore Stadium.
Explaining how his new deal came about, the electric number 23 said: “I spoke to Carry [Ryan Carr, head coach] after a couple of rounds, and he told me his plans for the club, and I’m really invested in what he’s building.
“He brought me over here as well, with Chezzy [Chris Chester]. I just wanted to repay the faith as well, for them showing faith in me coming off a couple of injuries, but repaying the faith and seeing the vision they’ve got for the next couple of years.
On the other interested parties, he revealed: “There were other teams. I’m not going to name them, but there were definitely a lot of teams that were coming in.
“It took me a couple of weeks to decide, but I knew in the end I wanted to be at Castleford. It’s a good place that I want to be at.”
Krystian Mapapalangi explains why Castleford Tigers as boss and wing partner hailed
Asked for the reasons why he decided to stay at Wheldon Road, ‘Maps’ explained that two people in particular have allowed him to find his best rugby – head coach Carr and left edge partner Jason Qareqare.
On Carr, the centre said: “He’s really good. I think he’s got the best out of me and the best out of some players here. He’s really calm, but he’s very smart at the same time in the way he wants to play.
“I think he gives a lot of confidence to the boys. He’s definitely given confidence to me, which I can show on the field, which is good. I just really enjoy him being our coach.”
Both Mapapalangi and Qareqare have a combined total of 30 try contributions between them this season, with Qareqare having 13 tries, one assist and Mapapalangi having eight of each.
The partnership works well because of the two’s relationship off the field as well as on it, with the Fijian winger being praised by his centre partner for the bond they have formed.
“I think it’s mainly off the field that sort of helps us on the field,” he said. “We’re really close off the field, and we’re sort of similar personalities.
“I think that’s helped us click really well on the field, and I’m really happy that he’s signed for three years as well.”
