It’s good to see that Wests Tigers NRL head coach Benji Marshall has hardened up – on his players.
In a video released on social media, Marshall is clearly laying down the law to his squad ahead of the 2026 NRL season.
And he doesn’t mince his words: if you don’t meet the Wests Tigers standards, there’s the door, he says, in a speech peppered with some fruity language.
As far as long suffering fans would be concerned, it’s about time the message went out that the club is not a departure lounge.
This Saturday’s opening NRL match for the Tigers, who host the old enemy North Queensland Cowboys, will be the first test of Marshall’s tough talking.
Let’s face it, it’s a fact that numerous players have signed for the Tigers and pocketed the big bucks, while playing well if and when they felt like it.
No names, no pack drill, but they know who they are – the fans certainly do.
And in a way you can’t put all the blame on these players, but also on the club for allowing such a culture to develop over the past 10 or so years.
Anyway, back to Saturday’s round two blockbuster – Tigers enjoyed a bye in round one – and the team list produced by Marshall to open the club’s 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership campaign.
Marshall has named a 22-man squad, and the most notable selection is the inclusion in the starting 13 of new recruit Kai Pearce-Paul.
The tall England Test second rower will make his first appearance in the orange, white and black after missing the club’s second pre-season challenge fixture as a precaution.
Young star Heamasi Makasini, who was sensational during the trials, has been named in the centres, with Luke Laulilii coming onto the wing off the back of a strong showing throughout the pre-season.
Terrell May returns to start in the front row alongside Fonua Pole, while Sione Fainu, Royce Hunt and Alex Seyfarth are set to provide impact off the interchange bench.
MATCH SNAPSHOT:
Wests Tigers v Cowboys
Leichhardt Oval
Saturday, March 14
Kick-off: 3pm.
TEAM LIST:
- Jahream Bula, 2. Sunia Turuva, 3. Taylan May, 4. Heamasi Makasini, 5. Luke Laulilii, 6. Jarome Luai (c), 7. Adam Douiehi, 8. Terrell May, 9. Api Koroisau (c), 10. Fonua Pole, 11. Samuela Fainu, 12. Kai Pearce-Paul, 13. Alex Twal
INTERCHANGE:
14. Jock Madden, 15. Sione Fainu 16. Royce Hunt, 17. Alex Seyfarth, 18. Tristan Hope