Wests Tigers 2025 Season: A Rollercoaster of Promise and Turmoil

Player Contract & Transfer Developments

Jarome Luai to Join PNG Chiefs in 2028

"It's bigger than a game."

Wests Tigers five-eighth and co-captain Jarome Luai has confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the 2027 season to join the Papua New Guinea Chiefs, the NRL's 19th team, for their inaugural 2028 season. Luai announced the decision at a press conference on Wednesday, stating the move was driven by the club's vision and the opportunity to represent a nation, rather than financial incentives.

Contract Details:

• Luai left the Penrith Panthers after 2024 and signed a five-year contract with the Tigers, which included an annual renewal option
• He had until Thursday to exercise a clause allowing him to stay with the Tigers for the 2026 season, but that clause also permitted him to entertain offers from other clubs until April 30 each year
• The Chiefs reached a deal with Luai, making him their inaugural player
• He has 18 months remaining on his contract and will leave after the 2027 season

Decision-Making Process:

• Luai visited Port Moresby with his family and met with club officials, including general manager Michael Chammas and CEO Lorna Mcpherson, as well as Prime Minister James Marape
• He described the experience as "great" and said seeing the facilities and local rugby league matches helped seal the decision
• Luai emphasized that the "tax-free" financial benefit was not the reason for signing

Team and Coach Reactions:

• Luai informed his Tigers teammates on Tuesday morning before training. He said they took the news "really well" and that he intends to prove his commitment through his performances for the remainder of his tenure
• Tigers coach Benji Marshall described an emotional conversation with Luai in his office, stating Luai came to him "a bit broken down" and that the decision was about family and the opportunity to "grow a nation"
• Marshall expressed no ill feelings toward Luai and said the Tigers have waived the 10-day cooling period to allow Luai's contract with PNG to be registered before his option for next season is activated
• The club has identified Latu Fainu, Jock Madden, and Javon Andrews as potential replacements for Luai

Luai's Statements:

• He aims to leave the Tigers in a "better place" and make the club an attractive destination for players
• He will remain focused on his current role and will give his all to the team for the next 18 months
• He distinguished his situation from the recent Lachlan Galvin contract saga, stating Galvin's case was different

Adam Doueihi Developments

Positional Dispute:
Adam Doueihi did not play in a scheduled match against the Canberra Raiders after a disagreement with coach Benji Marshall regarding a proposed positional switch to lock forward. The club confirmed Doueihi requested time off after being informed of the decision. Multiple reports indicate at least one other player also spoke to Marshall about the situation, and other teammates expressed concerns. Former interim coach Brett Kimmorley revealed a similar incident in 2022 where Doueihi threatened to play reserve grade if not selected at five-eighth. The Tigers were scheduled to meet with Doueihi to discuss his future at the club.

Halfback Role:
Doueihi was later set to assume the primary halfback role for the Wests Tigers, with Jarome Luai confirming Doueihi would take control of yardage sets, kick planning, and most of the playmaking duties. Doueihi expressed satisfaction in settling into a halfback role. Coach Benji Marshall supported this move, working with Doueihi to refine his playmaking skills.

Injury:
Doueihi sustained a shoulder dislocation during a match, with an estimated recovery period of 4-6 weeks.

Other Player Signings

The Gold Coast Titans have signed 17-year-old fullback Fynn Laffranchi on a long-term deal until the end of the 2030 season. Laffranchi, son of former Titans player Anthony Laffranchi, has been compared to Knights player Kalyn Ponga by the Titans football chief. He is slated to join the club's NRL squad full-time from 2027.

Match Results

Round 6: Wests Tigers 40, Newcastle Knights 22

The Tigers placed in second position on the competition ladder after Round 6.

The Wests Tigers defeated the Newcastle Knights 40-22 at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, scoring eight tries in the victory.

Coach's Assessment:
Coach Benji Marshall stated he was satisfied with securing the two competition points but expressed dissatisfaction with the team's performance in the final 20 minutes. Marshall described the team's defensive effort during that period as "unacceptable." He noted the Knights scored three tries after the 58th minute. Marshall praised the team's performance in the first 60 minutes, specifically highlighting defensive line speed and last-play options from the halves.

Player Performance:
Centre Patrick Herbert made his club debut for the Tigers, scoring one try and assisting another. Marshall stated he recruited Herbert after watching him play in a Maori tournament, offering him a train-and-trial contract which led to a full contract.

Context:
The Tigers have not qualified for the NRL finals since 2011. In the previous four seasons, the team finished last three times and 13th once.

Round 7: Brisbane Broncos 21, Wests Tigers 20

The Wests Tigers lost to the Brisbane Broncos 21-20. The Tigers led 12-4 during the game. Broncos player Adam Reynolds scored the winning points with a field goal. The Tigers attempted to set up their own field goal opportunity but the play resulted in the ball going over the sideline.

Statements:

• Marshall said the team had practiced late-game scenarios and stated: "I thought we could have probably had a chance to try and tie it up there, but that's a learning curve"
• Marshall denied that his players became complacent, saying: "No, that's all external, internally we don't feel like that"
• Tigers captain Api Koroisau said: "There's nothing to change. There's moments and Brisbane just took the opportunities that's all"

Context:
The Tigers entered Round 7 at the top of the competition table. The Broncos were missing several players due to injury.

Match Against Canberra Raiders

The Wests Tigers secured a win against the Canberra Raiders.

Refereeing Controversy:
Marshall expressed frustration over what he described as inconsistent refereeing following the victory. The comments were prompted by two incidents involving Tigers captain Apisai Koroisau, who was placed on report twice during the match.

Key Events:

• Koroisau was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes after a hip-drop tackle on Noah Martin
• Later in the game, Koroisau was placed on report for a dangerous lifting tackle on Zac Hosking
• Koroisau has been charged three times this season, potentially facing a suspension

Statements:

• Marshall praised his team's defence but criticized the refereeing, questioning what Koroisau could have done differently on the hip-drop tackle
• Raiders coach Ricky Stuart offered a contrasting view, stating the refereeing was "great" and that officials appropriately penalized both teams

Round 9: Cronulla Sharks 52, Wests Tigers 10

The Wests Tigers lost 52-10 to the Cronulla Sharks.

Statements:

• Marshall described the performance as "unacceptable" and criticized his team's lack of physical effort
• Luai denied that his recent contract signing with the PNG Chiefs was a distraction
• Marshall declined to use Luai's contract situation as an excuse

Injuries:

• Adam Doueihi (shoulder dislocation, estimated 4-6 weeks)
• Samuela Fainu (foot injury, awaiting scan)

Match Against Penrith Panthers

68-0. The fifth-biggest margin of defeat in NRL/NSWRL history.

The Wests Tigers lost 68-0 to Penrith Panthers at CommBank Stadium. Penrith scored six tries in each half, totaling 12 tries and recording 16 line breaks. The Tigers missed 52 tackles.

Statements:

• Marshall said the performance was "embarrassing" and "unacceptable"
• Marshall described the team's play as "dumb" and "brain dead"
• He apologized to fans who stayed for the entire match
• Marshall said the team must take accountability and indicated he may change the lineup

Coach Benji Marshall: Retirement Decision

In an interview with Shaun Johnson on Fox League, Marshall revealed he had verbally agreed to play for the Gold Coast Titans in 2022 and 2023 but retired after a conversation with coach Wayne Bennett. Bennett suggested that ending his career after the 2021 grand final was a fitting conclusion. Marshall said he made the decision based on family considerations and now occasionally regrets retiring. The interview aired on Fox League at 7:30pm AEST Tuesday.

South Sydney Rabbitohs Injury Updates

Two young South Sydney Rabbitohs prospects are set to miss approximately two months due to injuries sustained during their Charity Shield victory. Halfback Jonah Glover suffered a broken jaw and will undergo surgery, sidelining him for about eight weeks. Centre Talanoa Penitani sustained a torn right hamstring and is also expected to be out for up to eight weeks. Junior Tatola and Max McCarthy successfully returned to the field, each playing 20 minutes against the Dragons after recovering from shoulder reconstruction and ACL reconstruction, respectively.