Api Koroisau was at Rugby League Central promoting the Auckland NRL Nines last week, but he has good reason to skip the pre-season tournament.

It would take a lot to drag the footy fanatic away from the field, but this will probably do it. Koroisau is about to become a dad.

New lease of life: Apisai Koroisau drives over the line to score for Manly. Credit:Getty Images

Only those who know the personal pain Koroisau has gone through will be able to appreciate just how big a development this is. Just over a year ago he came home from Penrith's Mad Monday celebrations to find his partner had died. Her death is the subject of a coronial inquiry.

The premiership-winning hooker arrived at Manly as one of the club's key off-season recruits but arrived at Brookvale a shattered soul.