In the midst of ongoing speculation about the future of Wests Tigers’ young talent Tallyn Da Silva and veteran star Api Koroisau, head coach Benji Marshall has moved to clear the air, addressing reports of internal disagreements and outlining the club’s direction with clarity and conviction.
During today’s press conference, Marshall dismissed suggestions of a power struggle between himself and Wests Tigers CEO, Shane Richardson.
Asked directly whether the narrative that Marshall pushed for Koroisau while Richardson preferred Da Silva was accurate, the coach was blunt:
“That’s not true.”
When pressed on which part, he reiterated:
“All of it. Me and Rich are on the same page. The plan from the beginning is what we’ve executed, and nothing’s changed.”
The plan, it seems, is a long-term commitment to Koroisau, who has been a cornerstone for the Tigers since arriving at the club. While the team has struggled in recent years, Koroisau’s leadership and consistency have made him a standout figure—both on and off the field.
“We’re putting our eggs into Api’s basket for the next few years,” Marshall said. “He’s the guy to help us win more games, and to be fair, he’s probably been our best player the last few years and he’s got more left in the tank.”
Still, the decision comes at a cost—namely, the potential departure of Tallyn Da Silva, a young hooker widely regarded as a future star of the game.
“Yeah, absolutely,” Marshall said when asked if it was tough to see a young talent like Da Silva leave. “He wants to be here, you know, he wants to stay and he’s a really good kid. He’s got a bright future.”
Marshall was empathetic about Da Silva’s situation, acknowledging the understandable desire of a young player to secure more consistent NRL game time.
“I can understand Tallyn wanting to play more minutes and be in first grade and not wait behind [Api]. So, it’s hard to stop a guy in that instinct. But the difference is—he actually does want to be here.”
That Da Silva’s departure may be on the cards isn’t a reflection of his talent or commitment, but rather the harsh reality of team management and the short-term demands of success in the NRL.
“I guess in your position too, you need to win now,” the reporter noted.
“Oh, yeah,” Marshall replied. “And [Api]’s our guy.”
We discussed the Tallyn Da Silva situation on this week’s episode of Wests Tigers life:
westslife.com 