17 hours ago
How teacher's aide became Koroisau's new understudy
Tristan Hope was in class working as a teacher's aide at a Brisbane primary school when he received the phone call that would change his life.
Fast-forward a year, and the mild-mannered hooker is set to serve as Api Koroisau's right-hand man for the remainder of Wests Tigers' NRL season.
Hope was unexpectedly in the headlines when the Tigers released highly-rated Tallyn De Silva last week, leaving the 28-year-old rookie as the club's second-choice No.9.
Playing only his second NRL game days later, Hope threw the pass to Sione Finau that gave the Tigers the 20-0 lead they rode to an upset win over the Sydney Roosters.
Hope's strong performance would've been a relief for the Tigers, who had received criticism from all quarters for allowing Da Silva to join Parramatta mid-season.
Chief executive Shane Richardson went as far as to tell ABC radio on Sunday that the Tigers would know by full-time whether they'd made a mistake releasing Da Silva.
The jury is no longer out, at least not for Benji Marshall.
"To turn it up in an NRL game against a pretty handy side was pretty impressive," the Tigers coach said.
"Off the back of all the Tallyn stuff, I thought (Hope) was great today."
The bright lights of Allianz Stadium felt a world away for Hope this time a year ago.
Since 2018, he'd bounced around the Queensland Cup without cracking the NRL, supplementing his footy income working at Michelton State School in Brisbane's north.
Working with kids suited the good-natured Hope.
"I just really enjoyed seeing the smiles on their faces at the end of the day. Kids can bring out the best in you," he told AAP.
Hope couldn't have known just how significantly his life would change when his phone began buzzing during class one day last year.
He ignored the unknown number and went back to work, but had to ask the teacher if he could step outside when a follow-up text message came through.
From almost 1,000km away, it was Shane Richardson.
"Obviously your heart's beating," Hope said.
"He just said, 'There's no guarantees but we'd love to give you a crack at train and trial'."
Hope knew the Tigers' offer of a 17-week deal was likely the last shot at making his NRL dream come true - he was into his late 20s now with a family to think about.
But after some discussions with his pregnant wife, the Hopes started packing their bags.
"I knew that it was my last crack at my age," Hope said.
He turned that crack into a development deal for 2025, and an NRL debut in round one.
Ahead of his next NRL appearance against the Roosters, Hope received plenty of pointers from Koroisau, out with a head knock.
"He's just so approachable. He's been unbelievable this week," Hope said.
"He's filled me full of confidence. Api is a one of a kind footballer."
Hope is still reticent to think of himself as the three-time premiership winner's deputy, despite Da Silva's exit.
"My mindset isn't that I'm the man now," he said.
"Benji gave me first crack at that today and I hope that I've proven that I am worthy of that opportunity."
But regardless of the next steps, Hope knows he'll have a legion of fans in Mitchelton cheering him on.
"They'll be pretty stoked to see Mr. Hope on the screen, I reckon," he said.
