Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall says nothing is finalised around Jarome Luai’s looming exit from the club and that his players will not “throw in the towel” when a spot inside the top eight is still within arms reach.
The door is open for Luai to leave the club as early as the season’s end, with the club informing the star playmaker that he is free to play elsewhere in 2027 despite already securing a deal to join the PNG Chiefs from 2028.
Benji Marshall speaks to reporters after the Wests Tigers’ loss to the Warriors Nine
The Eels have put there hand up to take on the four-time premiership for one year, but the distraction that possible move has created is one that several league greats fear is making the Tigers “look like a fractured playing group”.
Marshall and Luai refused to comment on the matter when speaking to Nine before their 26-6 defeat to the Warriors on Friday evening.
The Tigers coach’s view about speaking on the topic did not change post-match.
“With those things, you can’t control what comes out or what gets said,” he told reporters at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
“I’m not going to talk about. I will talk about the game that is what I’m here for. Anything else, we will talk about another day.”
Asked when that day will be, Benji replied: “When it comes to something being done, we will let you know. At the moment, nothing is finalised or done.”
Marshall did not dive into how he felt Luai had performed on Friday, rather simply said that the “whole team could’ve played better”.
With just two wins separating his playing group from sitting inside the top eight, Marshall made clear that the Tigers will not go down this season without a fight.
“The result was definitely disappointing,” Marshall said.
“We missed the start and the sin bin hurt us, but all the boys showed a bit of fight to get back to 14-6. There were some good efforts [in the second half] but at the same time, we are at the end of the season and need to get results.
“We aren’t going to throw in the towel. We are going to have a couple of days off and we will go get away from footy then come back and have another crack at it.
“I have a group of guys here that ain’t going to give up, so we will keep fighting to the death.”