Benji Marshall claims it's inaccurate to attribute Jarome Luai's pending move to the PNG Chiefs as the catalyst for Wests Tigers' mid-season implosion.
As he ruled out a move for controversial code-hopper Israel Folau, Marshall leapt to the defence of Tigers co-captain Luai following the club's recent struggles.
The Tigers, who host the Gold Coast at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday, started the season with a 5-2 record.
In the weeks since Luai put pen to paper and agreed to join the Chiefs in 2028, the Tigers have won just one of their last five games, leaking 226 points across that period including last week's 68-0 humiliation at the hands of Penrith.
But Marshall said it was too simplistic to lay the blame for the Tigers' demise at the feet of their out-of-form five-eighth.
