Benji Marshall breaks silence amid Robbie Farah’s sad departure as Wests Tigers coach…

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has smacked down claims the club decided to part ways with assistant coach Robbie Farah next season so they can bring in someone with more experience. In 2024, the Tigers once again find themselves down the bottom of the NRL ladder and appear likely to claim a third straight wooden spoon, in what is Marshall’s first full season in charge.

And with the club in need of some serious changes, the joint venture has opted to part ways with Farah. Marshall and Farah are both club legends who were key figures in the Tigers’ 2005 premiership win, and that relationship is reportedly intact despite the club choosing not to keep the former hooker as part of the coaching staff next season.

Marshall’s men have shown signs they’re on the improve this year, only to continue to turn in woeful performances such as in last week’s 58-6 thumping by Cronulla. With the Tigers only winning four games this season – the same amount they recorded when finishing last in 2023 – it is clear that more change is needed. And it’s led to suggestions that the Tigers will bring in a more experienced coach to help Marshall – who only took over this year.

But when asked about Farah not being retained for 2025, Marshall sidestepped the line of questioning saying his only focus is on this year. “No one has ever said that (we need more experience). That’s something that has popped up in the media,” Marshall said, as he confirmed Farah would remain as assistant coach for the remainder of the season. “But again, that’s next year. Everyone wants to know all the details because we’ve turned to this thing where we love to gossip and stuff, but we’ve got to play footy as well.

“Coaching staff are always evolving and we’re always making plans on what we’re going to do next year, and that (the meeting) happened a couple of days ago. Everyone wants to focus on next year, but we’re worried about now because we’ve got a game to play this weekend. It’s not the end of the season. When that time comes, we can address those things.”

Questions have also been asked about Marshall’s position as head coach. But Tigers CEO Shane Richardson has dispelled talks they may go a different direction stating that he deserves time to put his print on the squad. “I’ve got no doubt he’s going to get the job done for us. I’m 100 per cent supportive of him moving forward,” Richardson told The Daily Telegraph.

“I’m planning everything around Benji being here long term and helping our younger players come through as better footballers. We’ll be OK.” Who the Tigers appoint as assistant is something they will start thinking about in the coming weeks, with their main priority being to turn their recent form around against the Rabbitohs in Gosford this weekend.

Tigers captain Api Koroisau has been named on an extended bench this weekend but Marshall admits he doesn’t expect him to play. However, the Tigers coach says he will give him every chance to prove his fitness.

“We want to give him all the way up to kick-off, so he might do a little bit today,” Marshall said. “We’re not sure yet … but it’s probably a no.”

If Koroisau is ruled out then Latu Fainu will keep his spot on the bench and play alongside brothers Samuela and Sione for the first time at NRL level. It’s been a frustrating rookie season for Latu with numerous injuries plaguing his season. But Marshall believes with some time in first grade he can be a future star of the game.

“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.”