Benji Marshall speaks up following the tragic loss of Robbie Farah as Wests Tigers coach.
Robbie Farah will not be returning to the Tigers as an assistant coach for the upcoming campaign.
Benji Marshall, the coach of Wests Tigers, has shot down rumors that the team decided to fire assistant coach Robbie Farah for the upcoming season in order to replace him with a more experienced coach. In 2024, Marshall’s first full season as coach, the Tigers are at the bottom of the NRL standings and look set to win a wooden spoon for the third time in a row.
Furthermore, the joint venture has decided to break up with Farah because the club needs to make some significant changes. Even though the club decided not to retain the former hooker on the coaching staff for the upcoming season, Marshall and Farah remain club legends having played major roles in the Tigers’ 2005 premiership win.
Although Marshall’s team has shown signs of improvement this season, they have still produced appalling performances, as evidenced by Cronulla’s 58-6 thrashing of them last week. It is obvious that more change is required when considering that the Tigers have only won four games this season—the same number they had when they finished last in 2023.
And it has given rise to rumors that the Tigers, who just hired Marshall this year, will bring in a more seasoned coach to assist him.
However, Marshall sidestepped the question by stating that he was only concerned with this year when it came to Farah not being retained for 2025. “That has never been said before (more experience is needed). Marshall stated, “That’s something that has surfaced in the media,” and he reaffirmed Farah’s appointment as assistant coach for the balance of the campaign. However, that is for next year. We’ve become a society that loves gossip and all that, but we also have to play football, so everyone wants to know every detail.
“Coaching staff is constantly changing, and we’re always planning for the upcoming year. That meeting took place a few days ago. While everyone seems to be thinking ahead to next year, we are concerned about the here and now because we have a game this weekend. The season is not over yet. We can talk about those issues when the time comes.
Concerns have also been raised regarding Marshall’s role as head coach. However, Tigers CEO Shane Richardson has refuted rumors that they might take a different approach, saying that he needs more time to leave his mark on the team. “I have no doubt that he will complete the task for us. Going forward, I fully support him,” Richardson said.
“I’m organizing everything so that Benji can stay for the long run and develop into better football players for our younger players. We’ll be alright. The Tigers will begin considering their options for an assistant in the upcoming weeks, but their top priority this weekend is to reverse their recent losing streak to the Rabbitohs in Gosford.
Api Koroisau is not expected to appear this week.
Although Api Koroisau, the captain of the Tigers, is listed on an extended bench for this weekend, Marshall acknowledges he doesn’t think he will play. The Tigers coach promises to give him every opportunity to demonstrate his fitness, though.
Marshall stated, “We want to give him everything leading up to kick-off, so he might do a little bit today.” “We’re not certain yet. but the answer is probably no.”
Latu Fainu will remain on the bench and play alongside brothers Samuela and Sione for the first time at the NRL level if Koroisau is ruled out. Latu’s rookie season has been frustrating because of his numerous injuries. However, Marshall thinks he can become a future player star if he spends some time in first grade.
“When I named the team the other day, the excitement in those guys’ eyes (was clear) to know that they might get the chance to live out a childhood dream of all playing together,” he said. “Latu is probably the last guy to come along. He’s had some injury troubles and has worked really hard to get himself right. He deserves his opportunity.
“It’s been frustrating for him because he just wants to play. From our point of view, it’s always been a long-term thing with Latu, and we want to do what’s right by him in terms of making sure he’s right to go. He’s going to be a player of the future. Some players just need a bit more time, and we’ve given him that. Now he gets his opportunity again.”
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