Troubled Tiger earns recall after playing absence

Jasper Bruce | July 28, 2026

Adam Doueihi has earned a stunning recall at halfback, days after a voluntary absence from Wests Tigers cast doubt over his future with the NRL strugglers.

Doueihi returned to training on Tuesday, five days after disagreeing with Benji Marshall’s decision to shift him from halfback and storming out with the club’s season on the line.

The 27-year-old arrived early to the club’s Concord headquarters to catch a friend for coffee and cut a relaxed figure once training began around 10:30am.

Gregarious teammate Sunia Turuva was seen hugging Doueihi, who stuck close to good mates Alex Twal and Alex Seyfarth during warm-ups.

Doueihi made light of the Tigers’ latest off-field drama, at one point joking with teammates that “no one wants to be around me”.

Only hours later, Marshall appeared to relent to Doueihi’s hopes and will name him at halfback  on the official teamsheet to face Parramatta on Sunday.

Teenage sensation Javon Andrews is expected to be pushed onto the bench after replacing Doueihi for his NRL debut against Canberra last week.

Andrews was not alone in struggling in a 56-10 loss to the Raiders last week that officially precluded the Tigers from finals for a 15th consecutive season.

He is considered a long-term prospect, but Doueihi’s own future at the club remains unclear.

Marshall will front the media on Wednesday and is expected to be pressed on whether the utility will see out his contract, due to expire after 2029.