Benji Marshall defends Jarome Luai following trip to Papua New Guinea

Wests Tigers head coach Benji Marshall has come to the defence of playmaker Jarome Luai following public scrutiny over his recent travel to Papua New Guinea. The support comes as Marshall prepares for the star player's arrival at the club for the 2026 season, according to reporting by ABC News on Friday, 4 September 2026. While reports surfaced that Luai had travelled to Papua New Guinea without notifying Marshall, the Wests Tigers coach confirmed he is not harbouring any resentment regarding the trip. Marshall dismissed the backlash aimed at the jaunt, describing the criticism surrounding the visit as "irrelevant" to the professional relationship and the team's future. Luai has been a significant figure in the NRL, recently completing a tenure with the Penrith Panthers where he had played since he was a teenager. The ABC News report notes that Luai will soon transition to the Tigers, bringing his championship-winning experience to the joint-venture club under Marshall’s leadership. The public backing from Marshall, one of the most respected Māori figures in the game's history, highlights a supportive culture at the Wests Tigers. By focusing on Luai's professional contributions rather than off-field travel, Marshall is setting a positive tone for the 2026 campaign. Separately, the ABC also reported on wider regional sporting developments, including calls from FIFA Master Lepani for Papua New Guinea’s national women’s football team to begin immediate preparations for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. The team remains in contention for the tournament, facing potential matchups against Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei, and Ghana.