Jarome Luai ruled out in pre-Origin scare as Benji Marshall forced into Wests Tigers change

Jarome Luai has been ruled out of the Wests Tigers game against Manly on Friday night in a worry for the NSW Blues, while coach Benji Marshall has doubled down on the club's decision to prioritise Api Koroisau and his future. Luai has been forced to withdraw from the game on Friday with infection and will be looking to recover before a potential recall for Laurie Daley's NSW squad.

This is poor timing for the Tigers who have lost five games in a row and are looking to turn around their form against an out-of-form Sea Eagles side. Despite the halfback coming down sick ahead of the game, Luai is expected to be back for Origin in just under two weeks time.

Jarome Luai (pictured left) has been ruled out of the Wests Tigers game against Manly on Friday night, while coach Benji Marshall (pictured right) has doubled down on the club's decision to prioritise Api Koroisau and his future. (Images: Getty Images)

In Luai's absence, Koroisau will slot into the No.7 jersey, while talented Da Silva will start at No.9. This move comes as young dummy-half Da Silva is set to leave the club, possibly before the 30 June deadline, with Marshall and the club looking to extend Koroisau's contract beyond the 2026 season.

The 20-year-old has seen limited game time in 2025 with Da Silva an unused sub last week in the Tigers' loss. But Da Silva is reportedly set for a move on if Koroisau resigns past the 2026 season, which would give him no clear path into the starting XIII.

While Tigers fans are divided over whether letting the talented star walk out the door is the right choice, Marshall appears to have made up his mind. The coach said while Da Silva 'does want to be here', he wanted to extend Koroisau's stay at the club as their main man.

“The plan from the beginning is what we’ve executed, and nothing has changed,” Marshall said ahead of their game against Manly on Friday. “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.”

Marshall's comments all but confirm Da Silva will be seeking a new club for 2026 onwards with reports he could even be on the move to the Manly Sea Eagles or the Eels this year. Although Da Silva has been named on the bench against against Manly on Friday, which are one of the clubs wanting to sign the young star.

Tallyn Da Silva (pictured right) is set to leave the club with a number of rivals keen to sign him.

Da Silva's expected exit comes as another hammer blow for Tigers fans given young half Lachie Galvin recently walked out to join the Bulldogs. Da Silva has played 23 first-grade games since his debut in 2023, and looks every bit an NRL-level player. 

But he's spent the majority of 2025 in reserve-grade due to the fact the Tigers have Koroisau entrenched as their No.9. Da Silva is contracted to the Tigers until the end of 2026, but The Tigers had already stated the 20-year-old was free to leave if they extend Koroisau's current contract (also ending at the end of 2026).

Api Koroisau (pictured) is set to stay at the club beyond 2026.

But fans were left frustrated last week when Da Silva watched the game from the bench having not been used by Marshall in the loss to the Raiders. Koroisau played the full 80 minutes. Marshall was asked after the game why he didn't play the young dummy-half and he hit back.

“If there was an opportunity to put Tallyn on, I would have, but we needed Api on the field.” When pushed on whether the young gun was leaving the club, Marshall played it coy. "Not sure," he replied.

Fans have already admitted they would like Da Silva to stay beyond his current contract. But the decision to leave him on the bench in yet another Tigers loss left fans perplexed.

This article originally appeared on Yahoo Sport Australia at https://au.news.yahoo.com/benji-marshall-makes-definitive-call-amid-debate-around-api-koroisau-and-tallyn-da-silva-at-tigers-005610744.html

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