Benji's Storm Clones

In the early 2020s, one of the secrets behind the Storm's success was the superb one-two punch of hookers Brandon Smith and Harry Grant. Before his move to the Roosters, Smith was among the best dummyhalves in the league and worried teams with his strength and running game. Then when the opposition began to tire, master coach Craig Bellamy would bring in youngster Grant, who would carve them up with his speed around the rucks. Benji Marshall obviously remembers how effective it was - because he is using his two hookers Api Koroisau and rookie Tallyn Da Silva in similar fashion. The pair were outstanding in the win over the Dolphins on Saturday night, both scoring tries and worrying the life out of the Redcliffe defence. Significantly, both scored the final tries of the first and second halves against fatigued opposition - rival coaches beware!

Deja Vu for the Tigers

Exactly 20 years ago, a magnificent spine of halves Scott Prince and Benji Marshall, fullback Brett Hodgson and hooker Robbie Farah combined to deliver Wests Tigers the unlikeliest of premierships. A 150-1 shot early in the season in the bookies' eyes, the Tigers stormed home to take the title in memorable style. It's been lean pickings since then - but suddenly the Tigers have found a spine to match the heady days of 2005. Halves Lachlan Galvin and Jarome Luai, hooker Api Koroisau and fullback Jahream Bula were all superb as the Tigers thrashed a lethargic Parramatta 32-6. With the quartet calling the shots, the Tigers played magnificent attacking football reminiscent to that used by Tim Sheens in that wonderful winter two decades ago. 

Tigers skipper backs pursuit of sacked Panthers winger

Wests Tigers co-captain Api Koroisau says his club should look at signing Taylan May after the former Penrith winger had domestic violence charges withdrawn. The legal action against May was dropped on Monday with the outside back now free to resume his career after being stood down indefinitely by the NRL in May last year under the league's no-fault stand-down policy. It's understood several clubs are now inquiring about his services and Koroisau, who played alongside May at Penrith, said he would add plenty to the Tigers. "He's an incredible player. He's (had it) pretty hard off the field at the time but it sort of is what it is at the moment and the club will execute that if needed," Koroisau told media on Wednesday. "It's hard to come by these kind of guys. He works out in the backfield and you need that from your wingers these days and he's that quick – some of that speed you can't teach. "I'm sure there's a few clubs going for him so we'll see what happens." The Tigers have endured some casualties in the backline already, with centre Justin Olam likely to be forced into medical retirement and Brent Naden sidelined by a dislocated kneecap. That means there should be enough money in the salary cap to make a play for the winger for the remainder of 2025, with only eight months of the contract period left. Despite being out of the game for close to a year, Koroisau says May can rediscover his best form. "A lot of that has to do with muscle memory as well," he said. "He's been to that level before, it's not like he's trying to reach that level for the first time. He works really hard off the field, so I don't think it would take him that long to get back.

Luai’s journey from larrikin to leader

Api Koroisau remembers Jarome Luai as an “immature larrikin” when they first met five years ago, but he could always tell that his good friend would develop into the leader he is now and the main reason why Wests Tigers fans are confident the tough times are over. Luai and Sunia Turuva are a couple of the key signings for the Tigers in 2025, with the former Panthers stars bringing experience, confidence and a winning edge that has been missing at a club that has claimed three-straight wooden spoons. While Luai is no longer the chief energy officer he was at the Panthers, he’s earnt his new role as co-captain in a sign Benji Marshall and club bosses see him as the man who can reshape their future. The four-time premiership winner captained Samoa during their tour of England last year and has developed into a tremendous leader on and off the field, which is slightly different to Koroisau’s first memories with Luai at Penrith. “He’s changed so much since when I first met him back in 2020,” the Tigers hooker said. “When I first met him, he was really young and absolutely loving life and really immature, which is a good thing because I’m also immature. “His footy IQ and the way he’s able to convey his ideas or what he thinks we should do is incredible. “The way he walked into the place, he knew that he had to change things at this club. He’s come in and he hasn’t held back. Everyone looks up to him and loves him. “I think everyone needs to get that early immaturity out of their system. “He was always smart. He never came off as smart because he was always mucking around, but if you ever got him one-on-one, you noticed he was quite intelligent, articulate and you could see that he was going to go into that leadership direction. “To see the way he’s done it (has been great). He hasn’t been shy about anything. If he needs to say something then he will, and that takes real leadership and courage.” There’s a different feel at the Tigers this pre-season, with no outlandish predictions coming from the players who are purely focused on ticking off daily targets. The mood around the club hasn’t been great over the years, with players leaving, coaches moving on and wins hard to come by, but the energy feels a lot different thanks to Luai and Turuva who have been just as loud as they were in Penrith. “The vibes have been great,” Koroisau said.

Luai thrust into new role alongside ex-teammate

Jarome Luai will move straight into a leadership role with the Wests Tigers after being announced as one of the club's co-captains for 2025. A four-time premiership winner with Penrith, the 28-year-old has inked a long-term deal with the joint venture and joins Api Koroisau as a captain for the upcoming season. In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon, Luai expressed his gratitude towards his new club for giving him the responsibility straight out of the gates. "Being named captain of the Tigers with Api is an honour I don't take lightly," he said. "Api has set an incredible standard as a leader, and I'm excited to work alongside him again and contribute to building something special here. "I am grateful to the coaching staff for giving me this opportunity and I want to make my family, the team, our members and sponsors proud." Luai enjoyed a career-best season with the Panthers in 2024, stepping up in Nathan Cleary's absence and steering the side around the park. The playmaker will now become the main man at the Tigers in a role that head coach Benji Marshall thinks he can relish in the long-term. "Api has been a phenomenal leader for this club over the past two years, and his respect within the team is second to none," Marshall said. "Adding Jarome's passion and creativity to our leadership structure makes this partnership really exciting. Together, they bring a balance of stability and flair that will drive our team forward in 2025." Luai and Koroisau previously played together at the Panthers. The side kicks off its campaign against the Knights on March 7.

Skipper lifts lid on impact of brutal Tigers punishments

Api Koroisau has backed the hard-line stance from Wests Tigers coaches, admitting there has been a "chalk and cheese" difference since players were sanctioned. A trio of young stars, headlined by utility Latu Fainu, were slapped with breach notices after returning for pre-season training below the required fitness standards. After three consecutive wooden spoons, Benji Marshall has wiped the slate clean heading into 2025 and the club legend clearly means business at Concord. According to skipper Koroisau, the results are already showing since the group returned from their Christmas break. "One hundred per cent, it's been chalk and cheese," he told 2GB's Wide World Of Sports Radio. "Everyone knew the coaching staff weren't playing around anymore, the club wants to move in the right direction. They had to do what they had to do and I think it's paid off. "There's plenty of new guys here and they've brought a lot of energy with them, which is great for the culture as well. "I've been impressed with the young guys, they have actually come back and after a season under their belts, have turned it up a level." Koroisau will be entering his third year at the joint venture after winning back-to-back premierships during his stint with the Penrith Panthers. The dummy-half will be joined by former teammate Jarome Luai this year and the enigmatic Samoan international is bringing plenty to the table at the Tigers. "He's got great chat and everyone respects him so much" Koroisau said. "He is a superstar of the game and the way he's been able to speak when he's come in here has been very controlled. "He's not afraid to speak his mind, which will help us move in the right direction." Koroisau's men will kick off their NRL campaign against the Knights on March 7.

Why Spoon Bowl can be making of the Tigers

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall wishes his side wasn’t involved in the first Spoon Bowl battle in nine years, but the Hall of Famer says the experience can be good for his young squad as they look to avoid collecting a third wooden spoon on the trot. The 6pm Friday game can often be a hard sell, but the last tickets were snapped up earlier this week, with fans pumped for the showdown between the bottom-placed Tigers and the Eels who are in 16th after featuring in the grand final two years ago. The Tigers looked set to finish last a few weeks ago but back-to-back wins over the Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles – plus the two points they picked up from the bye last round – has them only trailing Parramatta on points differential. The Eels have also been competitive in recent weeks and are coming off a 44-40 shootout win over the Dragons, with the blue and golds looking to finish their horror year with a win before new coach Jason Ryles takes over. “I’d rather not be playing it,” Marshall said. “It’s a big game atmosphere for some of our young guys to experience what that is like, even though we are playing at the bottom of the table. “At the same time, when you have a season like we’ve had, you need to assess where you’re at and identify the things that probably need to be better. “We will try and give our fans something positive to talk about. “It’s a long off-season and all the fans will talk about either if you won the spoon or you avoided the spoon.” Tigers skipper Api Koroisau was involved in the most recent Spoon Bowl in 2015 when the Panthers beat the Knights 30-12 in the final round to jump four spots on the ladder, with the side to take confidence from their epic win over the Eels on Easter Monday. “I love it. It’s put a bit of novelty on the end of the year,” he said. “Sometimes you get here and there’s nothing up for grabs, but for us, this is pretty important because we don’t want to come last.” While some of their veterans have struggled this year, the Tigers have been able to blood some exciting local juniors who have shown plenty of promise. Tony Sukkar will join that list on Friday night, with Marshall hopeful that his young squad will benefit from the adversity they’ve faced this season going forward when guys like Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva arrive to strengthen the side.

'Nearly impossible' task after title team decimated

Stephen Crichton, Matt Burton, Api Koroisau, Kurt Capewell, Viliame Kikau, Tyrone May, Spencer Leniu, Brent Naden and Paul Momirovski … that's nine members of the 2021 grand final team that began the Panthers dynasty who have now moved on.Throw in the likes of Daine Laurie, Josh Mansour, Charlie Staines, Jack Cogger, James Tamou, J'maine Hopgood, Sean O'Sullivan, Zane Tetavano, Jaeman Salmon, Tom Jenkins, Jack Hetherington and Robert Jennings who have also been poached by rival clubs and it's remarkable that the Panthers have managed to keep winning, becoming the first team to produce a premiership three-peat in four decades.You win one comp and the salary cap makes it tough to go back-to-back as players want more money - and some move elsewhere.Win two and it's tougher - win three and it's nearly impossible - yet the Panthers have such a great system they will still start the new year as title favourites.The departure of Crichton and Leniu - two men at the heart and soul of the Panthers machine - will hit hard in 2024.The team has only signed three 'back-up' players who add depth but little else, although the livewire Daine Lauire could be a surprise packet in his second coming at the Panthers.The numbers were immaculate as the Panthers swept away the competition to make it three straight titles this season.They had the league's most tackle breaks, best completion rate, most kick metres, most forced dropouts, most kick return metres, conceded least points and least tries and had most try assists.But having their strength and depth sapped year by year as they continue winning, it is getting that little bit tough each time to keep the dream alive.

'Troubled waters' ahead for Benji as new era begins

There was massive optimism six months ago in Tiger-town - the team had a new coaching structure in Tim Sheens and Benji Marshall and two marquee signings in Api Koroisau and Isaiah Papali'i.But right from the start, things went pear-shaped. The Tigers lost their first seven games - including at least a couple they should have won - and their finals challenge was over before it ever began.Halfback Luke Brooks copped the brunt of the blame on the field and his confidence fell away, and the fact the Tigers' other main playmaker, Adam Doueihi, played just six games only made things worse.The arrival of recruitment guru Scott Fulton will help the club long term but his signing was handled abysmally by the administration, done without the knowledge of Sheens.That was the beginning of the end for the veteran coach and he walked away late in the season, pushed out by officials more interested in saving their own jobs than what is best for the club.That leaves Marshall, who has virtually no coaching experience, steering a young ship through what is certain to be troubled waters in 2024 - and figures in the club already gunning for his head.Despite the doom and gloom, there were positives. The Tigers didn't give up despite all the internal problems and were competitive in most games.Prop Stefano Utoikamanu continued to develop and was rewarded with a Blues Origin spot.Young fullback Jahream Bula was sensational in his debut season and will go close to winning the Rookie of the Year award.A host of other good young players were blooded and if the Tigers can retain them, in two or three years, they will have one hell of a side.

Tigers' unsung hero leading the way

Api Koroisau may have been the hero of the Tigers' thrilling 24-23 win over the Dolphins, but they wouldn't have won the game without the behind-the-scenes efforts of under-rated prop Alex Twal.In a rare performance for a front-rower, Twal led the Tigers in both run metres (155) and tackles (44) as they snuck over the line in a thriller.It was an iron-man like performance from the big prop, and new coach-elect Benji Marshall was thrilled with his effort.The Dolphins, as always, were brave in defeat, almost taking the points with a depleted side.But Api's class and Twal's non-stop game proved the difference as the Tigers ended their long run of outs.

'Secret catalyst' inspired Tigers hammering

Revenge is a dish best served cold - and was the secret catalyst for the Tigers' stunning 66-18 win over the Cowboys on Saturday night.Tigers players, officials and fans with long memories will still remember an infamous game in round 19, last season - 10 months ago..In the most hotly disputed game of 2022, the Cowboys beat the Tigers with a Val Holmes penalty goal following a series of contentious decisions after the fulltime siren.The Tigers were so incensed with the referees and bunker that they lodged a formal complaint with the NRL - and even threatened legal action.The NRL launched an inquiry into the affair and found that the Tigers were, in fact, 'dudded' - but refused to change the result of the game.Last night was the first time the teams had met since - and the Tigers finally got the chance to take out their frustrations."It got a mention during the week," a Tigers source told WWOS."We felt we owed them one but never in our wildest dreams did we expect to do it like THAT."It was a great result for the club and a night we will never forget."