Wests Tigers 2025 Season: A Rollercoaster of Highs, Lows, and Major Changes
Round 6: Tigers Triumph Over Knights
The Wests Tigers defeated the Newcastle Knights 8 tries to 4 at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, climbing to second place on the NRL ladder.
Coach's Assessment: Benji Marshall was satisfied with the two competition points but called the final 20 minutes "unacceptable," noting the Knights scored three tries after the 58th minute.
Marshall praised the first 60 minutes—specifically defensive line speed and halfback kicking options—but stressed the need for improvement. "The final period served as a lesson," he said.
Centre Patrick Herbert made his club debut, scoring a try and assisting another. Marshall revealed he recruited Herbert after spotting him in a Maori tournament, offering a train-and-trial contract that led to a full deal.
Round 7: Heartbreak Against Brisbane
The Tigers lost 21-20 to the Brisbane Broncos, having led 12-4. Broncos veteran Adam Reynolds sealed the win with a field goal after the Tigers' own attempt sailed over the sideline.
Marshall called it a "learning curve," adding: "We've got belief in what we're doing. People forget they're still the premiers."
Tigers captain Api Koroisau struck a defiant tone: "There's nothing to change. There's moments and Brisbane just took the opportunities."
Note: The Tigers entered Round 7 at the top of the table; the Broncos were missing several injured players.
Victory Over Canberra Raiders: Refereeing Controversy
The Tigers secured a win against the Raiders, but the match was overshadowed by officiating disputes.
Marshall praised his team's defence but expressed frustration over "inconsistent refereeing," specifically regarding captain Apisai Koroisau.
Two key incidents:
- Hip-drop tackle: Koroisau was sin-binned after a tackle on Noah Martin. Marshall questioned: "He's making a cover tackle from behind. Of course he's going to land on his legs."
- Dangerous lift: Koroisau was also placed on report for a lifting tackle on Zac Hosking.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart offered a contrasting view, calling the refereeing "great" and saying officials penalized both teams appropriately.
Context: Koroisau had been charged three times this season prior to this match.
Round 9: Heavy Loss to Cronulla Sharks
The Tigers lost 52-10 to the Sharks, prompting a blunt assessment from Marshall.
"Unacceptable," Marshall said, criticizing his team's lack of physical effort.
He refused to blame five-eighth Jarome Luai's recent contract signing as a distraction, noting the team has faced distractions all season. "Our previous two losses were by one and four points. This was the opposite of how we've played," he said.
Luai responded: "As Benji said, we can accept errors—it's what we do after that. We didn't really defend our try line. A reality check."
Injuries: Adam Doueihi suffered a shoulder dislocation (4-6 weeks); Samuela Fainu sustained a foot injury (scan pending).
Record-Breaking Defeat to Penrith Panthers
The Tigers lost 68-0 to the Panthers, conceding 12 tries and 16 line breaks while missing 52 tackles. This was the fifth-biggest margin of defeat in NRL/NSWRL history.
Marshall described the performance as "embarrassing," "unacceptable," "dumb," and "brain dead."
He apologized to fans who stayed for the entire match and indicated he may change the lineup.
Major Transfer News: Luai to PNG Chiefs
Jarome Luai, five-eighth and co-captain, confirmed he will join the Papua New Guinea Chiefs for the inaugural 2028 NRL season.
Contract Details
- Luai signed a five-year deal with the Tigers after leaving Penrith in 2024, including a clause allowing outside offers.
- The Chiefs made Luai their inaugural player. He has 18 months remaining on his Tigers contract, leaving after 2027.
Luai's motivation: The decision was driven by "the club's vision and the opportunity to represent a nation," not financial incentives—including "tax-free" benefits.
He visited Port Moresby with his family and met with club officials and the Prime Minister.
Team and Coach Reactions
Luai informed teammates before training. He described his conversation with Benji Marshall as "really difficult."
Marshall's response: "I had an emotional conversation with Luai. I have no ill feelings."
The club has waived the 10-day cooling period to allow Luai's PNG contract to be registered. Marshall identified Latu Fainu, Jock Madden, and Javon Andrews as potential replacements.
Broader context: Marshall acknowledged the competitive threat of tax-free incentives but emphasized creating an environment where players want to stay.
Player Profiles & Coach Background
Adam Doueihi Takes Lead Halfback Role
Doueihi will assume primary halfback duties, with Luai confirming he will control yardage sets, kick planning, and most playmaking. Coach Benji Marshall supports the move.
Jarome Luai on Leadership and Growth
Luai discussed his first season with the Tigers, highlighting personal growth in leadership.
On his confidence: "It's sometimes misinterpreted as arrogance."
He prefers an "Avengers" analogy for team dynamics over a "Batman" analogy—each member plays distinct, equally important roles. He described his relationship with Marshall as strong and built on trust, acknowledging the challenge of transitioning from viewing Marshall as a personal hero to a professional captain-coach dynamic.
His foremost priority: Family.
Benji Marshall on His Own Retirement
In an exclusive interview, Marshall revealed he had verbally agreed to play for the Gold Coast Titans in 2022-23 but retired after a conversation with coach Wayne Bennett, who suggested the 2021 grand final was a fitting end.
Marshall said he made the decision based on family considerations and now occasionally regrets retiring.
Other NRL Club News
- South Sydney Rabbitohs: Halfback Jonah Glover (broken jaw) and centre Talanoa Penitani (torn hamstring) will miss approximately two months. Junior Tatola and Max McCarthy successfully returned from reconstructions.
- Gold Coast Titans: Signed 17-year-old fullback Fynn Laffranchi on a long-term deal until the end of 2030. He joins the NRL squad full-time from 2027.