NRL 2025; Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall will keep picking Api Koroisau ahead of wantaway Tallyn Da Silva

News.com.au

8 hours ago

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall says he's happy to put 'our eggs into Api's basket' backing captain Api Koroisau to take the club forward with 20-year-old hooker Tallyn Da Silva on the verge of leaving.
With interest from as many as four clubs, Da Silva, who will come off the bench against Manly on Friday night, could even exit the Tigers before Monday's June 30 transfer deadline as he seeks more first grade playing time.
Both Koroisau and Da Silva, a local junior, are signed until the end of 2026 but Marshall said it was 'hard to stop' players seeking more game time even though the rising star 'does want to be here'.
But Marshall said he would continue to prioritise Koroisau and denied he was at odds with club CEO Shane Richardson over the matter.
'The plan from the beginning is what we've executed, and nothing has changed,' Marshall said on Thursday.
'He's a really good kid who has a bright future, and I understand the sentiment of, 'You need to try and keep them all', but at the same time we're putting our eggs into Api's basket for the next few years.
'He's the guy to help us win more games. To be fair, he's probably been our best player the past few years, and he's got more left in the tank.
'I can understand Tallyn wanting to play more minutes and be in first grade, and not wait behind him (Koroisau). It's hard to stop a guy in that instance. The difference is, he actually does want to be here. It's not like he's saying he wants out. He just wants to play first grade.
'Api is our captain as well. He plays 80 minutes each week, he puts in for the team, and has a lot left to give. We're prioritising that at the moment.'
The Tigers are out to end a five-game losing streak with Jarome Luai moved to No.6 and Latu Fainu, who has played just four games this season because of persistent hamstring injuries, will be the new starting halfback.
'They're both threats with the footy, they can both run, both have ball-playing ability, and both can kick,' Marshall said.
Marshall also confirmed Taylan May, who was thrown a lifeline after being sacked by Penrith last year amid some serious off-field issues, would play half a game in reserve grade on Saturday and had shown himself to be someone who 'really wants to turn his life around'.
'I didn't really know him before he came here, so all I can talk about is what he's done since he's been here, and he's been no problem whatsoever – he's put his head down, and is working really hard,' Marshall said.
'There's some private stuff he's been working on himself, which is always a good sign without us enforcing that.
'He's a guy who really wants to turn his life around. He understands where he's at, this is probably one of his last shots if he doesn't get it right, but all the signs are positive so far.'