Phil Gould calls Benji Marshall’s coaching critique “disgusting.”
After the Tigers‘ round two defeat, league legend Phil Gould called the criticism of Benji Marshall’s coaching approach “rubbish”.
Prior to Marshall’s debut as Tigers head coach, concerns were voiced in a News Corp commentary regarding his lack of availability as a coach round the clock.
Marshall went on to define his responsibilities, saying that he trains from quarter to six and values spending time with his family from five to eight o’clock.
With Gould joining the chorus of supporters, a number of names have come out in favor of Marshall. He stated, “Doesn’t rugby league go on with some rubbish and sticks its head in where it shouldn’t be a lot of the time,” during the Wide World of Sports segment Six Tackles with Gus.
The Raiders’ 32-12 victory marked the sad beginning of the Tigers’ new era.
With Aidan Sezer on the bench, Marshall went with a fresh halves tandem of Jayden Sullivan and rookie Lachlan Galvin.
After Sezer took Sullivan’s place in the second half, Sullivan became hooked.
For round three, the Tigers coach has suddenly switched them all out.
Gould thinks it is unfair to criticize the Tigers’ overall performance.
“First of all, the Tigers were not expected to win that game on the weekend,” he stated.
“I doubt anyone predicted that Wests Tigers would defeat Canberra this coming Saturday.
League icon Phil Gould referred to the criticism of Benji Marshall’s coaching style as “rubbish” following the Tigers’ round two loss.
Concerns about Marshall’s lack of availability as a coach around-the-clock were raised in a News Corp commentary before to his debut as the Tigers head coach.
Marshall continued by outlining his duties, stating that he values spending time with his family from five to eight o’clock and trains from quarter to six.
Gould continued, “Marshall is a great admirer of mine and I think his understanding of the game will put him in good stead despite his lack of coaching experience.”
“I’ve spoken to him about rugby league, he’s very astute, you underestimate him at your peril because he is very smart about the game and eventually he’ll get into his rhythm as a coach,” he stated.
“He’ll eventually shape a team in his image, and at the moment he has a lot of young guys who were maybe thrown into first grade too soon.
Benji will grow with them as they continue to build on their roster, which will be built over several years. It is just (not right) to fire a coach after just one game.
“Rugby League merely seems to be doing this; perhaps they don’t know enough about anything or don’t have anything interesting to say, so this is their cheapest form of commentary. It’s beyond me.
“As an NRL head coach, I assure you that there is never a moment of rest. You think about it constantly.”