‘Coaching staff are always evolving’: Benji Marshall discusses Robbie Farah’s exit as Fainu brothers prepare for special moment

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall says his focus is solely on winning Saturday’s game against the Rabbitohs, denying suggestions the club parted ways with assistant Robbie Farah so they can bring in someone with more experience to help the team.

Marshall and Farah were key pieces of the Tigers’ golden age and 2005 premiership win, and that relationship is reportedly intact despite the club deciding not to keep the former hooker as part of the coaching staff next season.

It’s led to suggestions that the Tigers will bring in a more experienced coach to help Marshall, who only took over this year and faces a monumental task to get them firing again as they face the harsh reality of a potential third wooden spoon in a row.

“No one has ever said that (we need more experience). That’s something that has popped up in the media,” Marshall said, confirming Farah would see out the season.

“But again, that’s next year. Everyone wants to know all the details because we’ve turned to this thing where we love to gossip and stuff, but we’ve got to play footy as well.

“Coaching staff are always evolving and we’re always making plans on what we’re going to do next year, and that (the meeting) happened a couple of days ago.

“Everyone wants to focus on next year, but we’re worried about now because we’ve got a game to play this weekend. It’s not the end of the season. When that time comes, we can address those things.”

Who they appoint is something the Tigers will start thinking about in the coming weeks, with their main priority beating the Rabbitohs in Gosford after three heavy defeats.

Skipper Api Koroisau has been named on an extended bench but is unlikely to play after he hurt his calf in last week’s loss to the Sharks.

“We want to give him all the way up to kick-off, so he might do a little bit today,” Marshall said.

“We’re not sure yet … but it’s probably a no.”

If Koroisau is ruled out then Latu Fainu will keep his spot on the bench and play alongside brothers Samuela and Sione for the first time at NRL level.

It’s been a frustrating rookie season for Latu, who has played just four games off the bench and has battled niggling injuries, but Marshall is confident the young half is on track to be a future star.

“When I named the team the other day, the excitement in those guys’ eyes (was clear) to know that they might get the chance to live out a childhood dream of all playing together,” he said.

“Latu is probably the last guy to come along. He’s had some injury troubles and has worked really hard to get himself right. He deserves his opportunity.

“It’s been frustrating for him because he just wants to play. From our point of view, it’s always been a long-term thing with Latu, and we want to do what’s right by him in terms of making sure he’s right to go.

“He’s going to be a player of the future. Some players just need a bit more time, and we’ve given him that. Now he gets his opportunity again.”