Tigers coach Benji Marshall was left frustrated and vocal after two controversial referee decisions went against his side in their hard-fought 18-14 loss to the Penrith Panthers on June 8, 2025.
Marshall believes these calls, particularly involving his halfback Jarome Luai, prevented the players from fairly determining the outcome of the match.
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The pivotal moments came when Luai was penalised for a late tackle on Panthers’ Blaize Talagi at a crucial 10-10 deadlock. This decision gave Penrith a 12-10 lead.
Shortly after, another penalty was awarded against Tigers skipper Luai for an escort infringement, which led directly to a Panthers try. Marshall labelled both calls as “outrageous” and “bad,” arguing that they swung momentum unfairly.
Despite the defeat, Marshall praised his team’s effort, calling it one of their best performances of the season against top-quality opposition.
“We went toe to toe with them, and I honestly thought we were the better side tonight,” he said. Marshall lamented that the refereeing decisions overshadowed what was otherwise an enthralling contest, saying, “I actually feel sorry for our players because they didn’t get to decide tonight.”
Asked whether the game has become overly protective of kickers, Marshall expressed disagreement with the penalty for Luai’s tackle. He argued that Luai made contact simultaneously with the kick and did not put Talagi in danger, making the call unjustified.
Jarome Luai himself was composed when discussing the calls, acknowledging the referee’s explanation but stopping short of criticizing the decisions outright.
“I understood the rules and in that moment what I was doing,” Luai said.
He also spoke positively about facing his former team, with whom he won four premierships, and expressed pride in his current Tigers teammates.
Marshall also highlighted standout contributions from players like Latu Fainu, who impressed on his return from injury, and praised the team’s resilience despite four consecutive losses.
“Our group doesn’t stop fighting. As a coach, that’s all you want to ask for,” he added.
Looking ahead, Marshall remains confident the Tigers are improving, saying the team’s style and halves combinations are evolving, though the results have yet to consistently reflect that progress.
The match underscored the intensity and fine margins of the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, with the Panthers ultimately prevailing thanks to late-game defensive efforts and crucial referee decisions.
