Tigers draw on 2005 for do-or-die Cowboys clash
Joanna Guelas |
Benji Marshall won’t mull over what “serendipity” has to do with it.
As the Wests Tigers look to keep their slim post-season hopes alive with a win over North Queensland, Marshall’s men will also be given a timely reminder of what it takes to be an NRL finals team.
The 2005 premiership team will be present at Sunday’s Heritage Round game at Leichhardt Oval, watching as the Tigers play the same club they beat in a grand final 20 years ago.
It was a 20-year-old Marshall who etched himself into NRL history with a flick pass that set up Pat Richards for one of the great grand final tries.
The Tigers are mathematically a chance to reach September this year, sitting 11th on 24 points ahead of their final three fixtures.
A win over the 14th-placed Cowboys is non-negotiable, but the Tigers will also need outside results to go their way.
Just four points separate eighth-placed Sydney Roosters (28) and the Tigers, with the Dolphins (26) and Sea Eagles (24) ninth and 10th ahead of their respective games.
Asked if it was serendipitous that the club would be honouring the 2005 premiership team as they fight for a finals spot against the Cowboys, Marshall was honest.
“Yeah, I don’t know what serendipity means,” Marshall said.
“We’ve talked about it … You’ve got to honour the people that come before you, and ultimately someone else is going to come after you.
“While you’re wearing (the Wests Tigers jersey), you’ve got to wear it with pride.
“To have those guys from 2005 there this week, it makes it extra special and extra important for the club.
“It’s the only premiership we’ve won and we want to pay tribute to those guys.”
Wests Tigers co-captain Jarome Luai will mark his 150th NRL game after joining the club from Penrith this year.
Marshall praised the four-time premiership five-eighth for his leadership as a maturing Tigers outfit continues to show signs of improvement.
“The reason why I brought him (Luai) here is not just for what he does in the field,” Marshall said.
“When you’re teaching them something and he’s buying in, he’s also teaching the young guys that no matter how much you’ve achieved, there’s always more to learn.
“It’s a great milestone for Jarome, but one thing that he’s made clear to me this week is that he doesn’t want it to be all about him.
“It’s about our club and our team and what we need to do this week.”
AAP
