Benji Marshall has admitted Jarome Luai’s contract situation won’t be changing after former CEO Shane Richardson worked hard to remove clauses that could see him exit the club after 2025.
Luai has get-out clauses in his contract that were inserted when he signed a multi-year deal with the Tigers.
The boardroom chaos at the Tigers would’ve no doubt created concern for many in the club, but the re-signing of Marshall on a five-year deal has brought a sign of stability.
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Speaking to media on Friday, Marshall said the dramas had been a “shock” and he’d been “put off” but ultimately decided to stay.
Benji Marshall. Â Nine
On December 1, four independent directors on the Tigers board were sacked by majority owners, Holman Barnes Group. Since then, Richardson has resigned, three directors have returned and former director Dennis Burgess has quit.
As for Luai, Marshall gave little indication he’d be on the move but did concede he and his management won’t budge on the clauses.
“I’ve done a lot of player management in the past week around where we’re going as a club, just to reassure the players that the same vision I sold to them before they came here is still the same,” Marshall said.
“I’ve sat down with Jarome at length about where we’re going, and he’s fully committed to the club.
“And he copped a lot of flak for the clauses he had in his contract, and I’ll be honest, those clauses are not going anywhere. But he’s given his full commitment to our side.
“If there’s anyone I trust in our team the most, it’s that player.”
Jarome Luai and Jahream Bula. Â Getty
Marshall wouldn’t comment on whether the clauses are there because of an example like the past two weeks.
“Ask him that. It’s not my decision to say,” he said.
As for Jahream Bula, the fullback can extend for 2027 with a mutual option.
Bula is managed by Isaac Moses, and it’s been public that Moses and Marshall don’t see eye to eye.
Marshall said he’s “confident” the fullback will stick around.
“Yeah, we’re working really hard on making that happen,” Marshall said.
“I don’t usually talk about recruitment, but I’ll be honest, you don’t know with these decisions, but I am confident that he will stay, and we’re doing everything possible to keep him.”
The 40-year-old also admitted performances under his coaching hasn’t deserved an extension.
“But if you look at the plan, and the vision, and the people we’ve brought in and where we’re going and the improvements, you probably beg to differ there,” he said.
“At the end of the day, I’m here ’til 2030, I back myself, the players we’ve got, the squad we’ve built.”
Marshall also said the Holman Barnes Group had assured him it would not interfere with football matters.