Why Tigers should take the pressure off Benji Marshall for another year
“At the end of the day you have to be yourself, and create an environment where players want to give their best. That’s what we’re doing.
“You have to constantly try and improve. We’re coming in off three wooden spoons, so we definitely need to improve.”
The Tigers will take the wraps off Luai and fellow recruits Sunia Turuva, Terrell May, Royce Hunt, Jack Bird and Jeral Skelton, as well as 27-year-old NRL debutant Tristan Hope, come 6pm on Friday evening at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Luai did not feature in the trials because of a quad strain, and all eyes will be on how the champion five-eighth transitions to halfback and combines with Lachie Galvin.
“We just want Jarome to be himself,” Marshall said. “One of the best things about Jarome is he has such a great energy, it’s infectious around the group, his leadership is phenomenal, and he competes on every play at training.
“He’s obviously a world-class player. But we want Jarome to do his job and be himself.”
As for how long it will take for Luai and Galvin to click, Marshall said: “They could hit it off in round one, it could take a few weeks. I’m not sure.
“There’s no pressure on them to be the greatest in the competition in round one. We want them to do their jobs, keep it simple, and play the footy we want to play.
“Bringing Jarome in won’t solve everything. There are 16 other players on the field who have to do their job. We know he’s a big part of the way we want to play, but at the same time, if the other 16 don’t do their job, it’s irrelevant.
Loading
“You can play two different ways [with the halves]. You can have a five-eighth who plays like a half, like Cronulla do with [Braydon] Trindall, or have a traditional half who controls the game and all the kicking.
“I guess the thing we’ve got is both our guys can kick, and Jarome proved last year when Nathan [Cleary] was out, and for Samoa, he can do a job at No.7. He’ll be the No.7.”
Campbelltown junior Heath Mason will start at fullback in place of Jahream Bula, though Marshall said the regular No.1 would be available next weekend as he recovers from a shoulder injury.
Marshall refused to discuss the immediate future of David Klemmer, who has attracted interest from St George Illawarra, and been named to play NSW Cup on Saturday.
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now
Michael Chammas and Andrew “Joey” Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. Sign up for the Sin Bin newsletter.
