NRL 2024: Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson and captain Api Koroisau hold peace meeting with club critic Ben Elias

NRL Hall of Famer Ben Elias has been regularly critical of the Wests Tigers over on-field and administrative failures, prompting a specially-convened peace meeting featuring club CEO Shane Richardson and captain Api Koroisau.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 22: Benny Elias, NRL Hall of Fame Inductee looks on during the round 25 NRL match between Wests Tigers and Manly Sea Eagles at Leichhardt Oval on August 22, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Wests Tigers critic Ben Elias emerged from a specially-convened two-hour peace meeting with club chief executive Shane Richardson and captain Api Koroisau to declare: “I’m now a believer.”

In a gesture of goodwill, Richardson invited Elias into the club’s high performance centre at Concord on Wednesday morning where the pair discussed all aspects of the club’s operations.

Elias, inducted into the NRL’s Hall of Fame last week, also spoke with star hooker and captain Koroisau.

This masthead understands Richardson also reached out and had coffee with another Tigers legend, Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach, on Monday.

While admitting he had become “frustrated” with the club’s performances as they battled to avoid a third straight wooden spoon, Elias has been given a new perspective on the club and has claimed “the future is extremely bright.”

Elias has regularly called out Wests Tigers for their on-field and administrative failures.

“I have been a critic of the club, of course,” Elias said. “A lot of things have frustrated me and the fans.

The Tigers held a peace meeting with NRL Hall of Famer Benny Elias. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

“Have we butted heads? Yes, but I have always tried to offer constructive criticism and I always have the Tigers at heart.

“I never want to do anything to hurt the Tigers and offered criticism which I thought could help better my beloved club.

“Shane rang and asked me to come in and see him. We met for more than two hours. It was really constructive and my views have certainly changed.

“You don’t get anyone higher than the CEO and I walked away full of positive belief in the organisation and the future looks extremely bright.

Tigers captain Api Koroisau was a part of the meeting with Elias. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“We discussed all the young players coming through at length. Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva will be there next year so all fans should stick tight.

“After scoping what they are doing, it’s very, very encouraging.

“I also had a chat with Api, the captain. That was also a good catch-up. The facilities there at Concord are the best in Australia.”

Richardson added: “Benny is a resource we shouldn’t ignore.”

Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Wests Tigers have the bye this weekend as the club fights desperately hard to dodge another wooden spoon.

Elias revealed often conversations he had with Richardson about the club’s immediate and long-term future.

“We looked at the future possibilities for this great club,” Elias said. “It’s a new chapter in a new book. Everything is extremely positive.

“We also spoke about the club’s structure and I’m very excited with what is happening.

“Fans might need to be patient just a little bit longer but good times lie ahead for Wests Tigers.

“I also spoke with some of the younger players at the club and I reckon they will develop into first-string NRL players in coming years.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson and captain Api Koroisau hold peace meeting with club critic Ben Elias