Seven Wests Tigers stars ready to walk amid fears Benji Marshall could be removed

The biggest Wests Tigers stars are all reportedly ready to force their way out of the club if another reported potential sacking occurs.

Seven of the Wests Tigers’ biggest stars have reportedly threatened to walk out if Benji Marshall is sacked or the board makes things so uncomfortable that he quits as head coach.

Code Sports reports the likes of Jarome Luai, Jahream Bula, Terrell and Taylan May, and the Fainu brothers, Sione, Samuela and Latu could all quit the club if Marshall is shown the door.

It comes as Wide World of Sports reported that the Holman Barnes Group – who have been behind the departure of board members and CEO Shane Richardson – has identified former Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur as the perfect coach to replace Marshall and bring success to the struggling club.

That is despite Marshall being contracted for the next three years.

But it is understood the former Tigers star turned coach will need to make finals in 2026 to guarantee his future at the club.

Seven Tigers players are reportedly prepared to walk out on the club if Benji Marshall is sacked. Image: Getty

However, his future is growing more uncertain by the day due to the fact that Marshall is the last remaining high-profile off-field figure at the club, after the group sacked four independent directors, including chairman Barry O’Farrell, as well as CEO Richardson.

But even still, several reports have emerged suggesting Arthur is viewed as the long-term coach of the joint venture.

Arthur is currently the head coach of Leeds in the Super League, but has made it known on several occasions that he would jump at the chance to return as an NRL coach.

Brothers Sione, Samuela and Latu Fainu could all look to move to Perth if the Tigers remove Benji Marshall. Picture: Tim Hunter.

However, if Marshall is moved on or quits, the club could have a mass exodus on its hands.

The May brothers and Luai were signed to usher in a new era at the Tigers, but all will reportedly leave if their coach is removed from his post.

They all could reportedly look at heading to the Perth Bears as a package deal for their inaugural season in 2027, in what would be the biggest package deal ever seen in the NRL.

Luai and Bula have clauses allowing them to leave the club after the 2026 season.

While the others could force their way out, potentially even following the Lachlan Galvin blueprint.

However, Marshall is reportedly safe at least for now but isn’t necessarily seen as the club’s long-term coach.

The Tigers finished 13th last season after three straight wooden spoons, and they are a club that has had next to nothing to cheer about for two decades.

Meanwhile, the club’s CEO is also yet to be determined, with ex-Manly boss Tony Mestrov a potential interim replacement.