Benji Marshall is a favourite son at Wests Tigers. His image adorns the walls at the club’s training venues at Concord, Leichhardt and Campbelltown, and he was never going to be put under pressure in his first year as an NRL head coach last season.
And even if the Tigers don’t shoot out of the blocks this year – starting on Friday evening at home to Newcastle – and improvement is slower than hoped despite the addition of quality players like Jarome Luai, Marshall is entitled to avoid the firing squad for at least another season.
Super coaches Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy would have struggled to win titles with the Tigers’ rosters over the past few years.
Their playing group is much stronger in 2025, but it is still a long, long way behind premiership heavyweights Melbourne, Penrith and Brisbane.
Marshall said on Thursday that his sole focus was trying to win as many games as possible and ensuring his players competed on every play, and scoffed at the suggestion he was afforded a grace period in the first place.
He signed a five-year deal that runs through to the end of 2027, and was parachuted into the big chair 12 months earlier than expected when Tim Sheens departed late in 2023.
Benji Marshall runs his eye over Wests Tigers training on ThursdayCredit: Sam Mooy
Marshall described Luai as a “world-class player”, but warned that the former Panthers star’s impact would be limited if his 16 teammates were not doing their bit.
“There was no honeymoon [last year],” Marshall said. “Nothing has changed for me. I want to win. “As usual, we’re doing everything we can to win, and making the changes accordingly that we think will help us win games.
“At the end of the day you have to be yourself, and create an environment where players want to give their best. That’s what we’re doing.
“You have to constantly try and improve. We’re coming in off three wooden spoons, so we definitely need to improve.”
The Tigers will take the wraps off Luai and fellow recruits Sunia Turuva, Terrell May, Royce Hunt, Jack Bird and Jeral Skelton, as well as 27-year-old NRL debutant Tristan Hope, come 6pm on Friday evening at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Luai did not feature in the trials because of a quad strain, and all eyes will be on how the champion five-eighth transitions to halfback and combines with Lachie Galvin.
“We just want Jarome to be himself,” Marshall said. “One of the best things about Jarome is he has such a great energy, it’s infectious around the group, his leadership is phenomenal, and he competes on every play at training.
“He’s obviously a world-class player. But we want Jarome to do his job and be himself.”
As for how long it will take for Luai and Galvin to click, Marshall said: “They could hit it off in round one, it could take a few weeks. I’m not sure.
“There’s no pressure on them to be the greatest in the competition in round one. We want them to do their jobs, keep it simple, and play the footy we want to play.
“Bringing Jarome in won’t solve everything. There are 16 other players on the field who have to do their job. We know he’s a big part of the way we want to play, but at the same time, if the other 16 don’t do their job, it’s irrelevant.
“You can play two different ways [with the halves]. You can have a five-eighth who plays like a half, like Cronulla do with [Braydon] Trindall, or have a traditional half who controls the game and all the kicking.
“I guess the thing we’ve got is both our guys can kick, and Jarome proved last year when Nathan [Cleary] was out, and for Samoa, he can do a job at No.7. He’ll be the No.7.”
Campbelltown junior Heath Mason will start at fullback in place of Jahream Bula, though Marshall said the regular No.1 would be available next weekend as he recovers from a shoulder injury.
Marshall refused to discuss the immediate future of David Klemmer, who has attracted interest from St George Illawarra, and been named to play NSW Cup on Saturday.
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now
Michael Chammas and Andrew “Joey” Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. Sign up for the Sin Bin newsletter.
