Benji Marshall was moved to tears witnessing Lachie Galvin, the debutant five-eighth for Wests Tigers, being presented with his jersey by his family. However, his emotional state quickly shifted to frustration when questioned about his coaching dedication.
The commencement of the Marshall era at Wests Tigers is set for Saturday in Canberra, with Marshall as the rookie coach fielding newcomers Galvin and Solomona Faataape in the starting lineup.
Despite doubts raised about Galvin’s and his own coaching capabilities, Marshall remains confident in their abilities. He dismissed allegations of a lax work ethic, asserting his commitment by highlighting his early morning training sessions alongside the staff.
Marshall expressed disappointment at the timing of such criticisms, especially as he prepares for his debut game as coach. He defended his approach to coaching, emphasizing a balance between work and family life, which he believes doesn’t compromise his dedication to the job.
Regarding paving the way for future NRL coaches with a focus on work-life balance, Marshall humbly stated he’s merely focused on maintaining a high standard in his role.
While Marshall was candid about his coaching challenges, he spoke highly of Galvin, praising the young player’s fearlessness and dedication in training. Despite the hype surrounding Galvin, Marshall stressed the importance of him simply doing his job as the team’s five-eighth.