Benji Marshall has revealed impressive debutant Tino Tavana was almost sacked by the club in the pre-season, with the Tigers coach likening his journey to a Origin and Test star.
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The 21-year-old winger was brilliant in the Tigers’ 32-14 win over the Warriors, in what was his first NRL appearance, scoring a try and twice outduelling veteran Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in the air, earning possession that led to tries to Kai Pearce-Paul and Royce Hunt.
Tavana has come through the Wests Tigers pathway, playing both NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg Cup in 2025 to earn a train and trial contract for 2026.
“Unbelievable story, like (Bronco’s Gehamat) Shibasaki last year, where at the start of pre-season, he was almost kicked out.
“He needed to do some work and it’s a credit to him, because he worked hard on himself, came back, and I thought he had a great pre-season after Christmas.
“(He) Trialled really well and just through lack of outside backs, we got a dispensation for him to play this week.
“So, really proud of him. I thought he did a great job today.
“I thought he single-handedly got us back into the game with two effort chases, jumping over Roger (Tuivasa-Sheck) to get us the ball back.”
Tino Tavana scored a try in his debut NRL game.Source: FOX SPORTS
Marshall also revealed that five eighth Jock Madden missed his grandfather’s funeral this week so he could play.
While fellow half Adam Doueihi was the best on the paddock, Madden, who made his NRL debut for the Tigers in 2021 before spending the last two seasons at the Broncos, earned special praise from Marshall after the game.
Doueihi himself had been in doubt for the match with what was reported as a hamstring strain, however Marshall said it had been a groin niggle.
“It’s credit to him (Doueihi), because he could have easily pulled the pin and said, ‘don’t play me’,” Marshall said.
“And just on that, really proud of him to play, but he had a halves partner who’s played no footy this year.
“He’s been on the bench for two games with us, biding his time. (He) had a great pre-season.
“I thought he was the difference tonight. He put Adam in position so he could just run. He did all the kicking, took all the pressure off Adam and let him just play, you know, so (that’s) Jock Madden I’m talking about.
“His grandfather passed away last week, and he didn’t make the funeral because he wanted to play for the team.
“He said his grandfather would have wanted him to play. So, we’re really proud of him.
“We’re really proud of him for that, and his grandfather would have been really proud of him.”