MANLY hooker Apisai Koroisau has turned his back on a Fijian Test jumper in a bid to concentrate on nailing a regular spot in the Eagles top squad this season.

Koroisau has opted not to make himself available for next weekend’s Pacific Island Test against Papua New Guinea in a further blow to coach Mick Potter’s squad following the Kangaroos’ decision to poach Semi Radradra.

“Of course it’s disappointing because Apisai would obviously have been one of our key players for this game,” Potter said.

“But I can fully understand where he is coming from. He got hurt in this game last season and he’s got to be thinking about his bread and butter at this point and that is Manly.

“He got dropped earlier in the season and he has made a decision to focus all his energy on establishing himself at the Eagles and I can understand that.”

Potter will still have a number of NRL stars at his disposal for the game with the likes of Korbin Sims, Kane Evans, Kevin Naiqama and Daniel Saifiti all making themselves available.

Naiqama will be named at fullback with Sisa Waqa a likely option in the centres.

Potter’s options out wide have been further stretched with Melbourne flyer Marika Koroibete, who starred in last year’s win over the Kumuls, carrying an injury and Newcastle’s Akuila Uate declaring himself unavailable for the Test.

In the forward pack, Newcastle’s Tariq Sims and Penrith’s Reagan Campbell-Gillard are both in the frame for Country-City selection.

Mounties playmaker Maurice Kennedy appears likely to be handed the task of steering the side around in the absence of Koroisau.

“We’ll still come up with a very competitive side,” Potter said.

“Hopefully, all the players we are looking at get through the weekend’s games okay and we don’t have anyone forced to pull out.”

New Kumuls coach Michael Marum has selected the majority of his squad from the PNG Hunters.

Samoa and Tonga will clash in Saturday night’s other Test at Pirtek Stadium.