Tigers coach Benji Marshall and Jarome Luai rift deepens as star half departs

Growing speculation behind the scenes suggests the relationship between Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall and star playmaker Jarome Luai is far from amicable. The Tigers confirmed last week that the 29-year-old will leave the club at the end of the 2026 season, after already agreeing to a lucrative deal with the Papua New Guinea franchise from 2028.

Earlier this year, Marshall laid down a firm ultimatum to his players during pre-season training. At the Wests Tigers we stand for something now, Marshall declared. If you are not prepared to follow what we stand for, there is the door. That came after Lachlan Galvins acrimonious split from the joint venture the previous year. But in a surprising turn