Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has a simple instruction for superstar recruit Jarome Luai to “do his job and be himself” as the four-time premiership winner prepares to take control of his new team for the first time on Friday night.
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There’s no escaping the spotlight for the former Penrith playmaker but Marshall moved to relieve the pressure somewhat ahead of his team’s season-opening clash with Newcastle declaring he and halves partner Lachie Galvin didn’t have to be the “greatest” in game one together.
Expectations are growing for last season’s wooden-spooners who have added the likes of Luai, Sunia Turuva, Terrell May, Royce Hunt and Jack Bird to their roster with all named to take on the Knights at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
But all eyes will be on Luai who didn’t feature in his team’s trial matched because of a quad strain, Marshall confirming there’s no doubt about his fitness and he “could have played” in the the second match.
“We just want Jarome to be himself,” Marshall said on Thursday
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“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.”
Luai’s combination with young star Galvin could decided how the Tigers go in 2025 and Marshall wasn’t expecting perfection straight away.
“They could hit it off in round one, it could take a few weeks. I’m not sure,” he said.
“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.
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“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.”
Despite the big shake-ups to his team, Marshall said there would be no “honeymoon” for the Tigers.
“Nothing has changed for me. I want to win,” he said.
“We’re doing everything we can to win, and making the changes accordingly that we think will help us win games.
“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.
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“You have to constantly try and improve. We’re coming in off three wooden spoons, so we definitely need to improve.”
With his eye firmly on Friday’s night’s game, Marshall wouldn’t be drawn of the future of prop David Klemmer who has been linked to a move out of the club.
He has been named to play NSW Cup on Saturday after not being picked din the trial games.
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