'Don't want to get fined': Benji Marshall claims Tigers 'got no favours' in loss to Warriors
Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall took a thinly-veiled swipe at the officials after his side's loss on Sunday night, but refused to go deeper due to the risk of being fined.
In rainy conditions, the Tigers gave up the lead late in the game thanks to a rampaging try from Leka Halisima and penalty goal from Luke Metcalf, falling 26-24 to the Warriors.
It was a back-and-forth contest between two of the NRL's biggest improvers early in the season, but a couple of injuries and costly errors haunted the joint venture.
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Jarome Luai during the round four defeat. Getty
Speaking to media post-game, Marshall admitted he was proud of the effort shown in tough circumstances at Campbelltown Stadium.
"Disappointed for the boys with the result not going our way but at the same time, the amount of adversity that we had today that we had to get through," he said.
"Losing [Adam] Doueihi before the game, Samuela Fainu went off pretty early, we had Jack Bird playing centre, Sione [Fainu] playing back-row ... just some massive efforts.
"As a coach and club I'm really proud of the effort, even though we got no favours today, that was pretty obvious. We've got to take the good things and move on to next week."
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Marshall was quickly pressed on the 'no favours' line but pointed out sanctions handed down to rival coach Ricky Stuart and opted not to openly criticise the referees.
"You were watching the game, you write whatever you think," the coach said.
"I don't want to do what Ricky did and risk getting fined and talk about the ref because we're not allowed to, so I won't bring it up. I don't think we are [allowed to].
"There's nothing more to say - if you were there watching, you know."
Benji Marshall speaks to media after the round four loss. Nine
Metcalf's game-winning penalty goal in the dying stages came after Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad stayed down for a high tackle, with the Bunker ruling in favour of the Warriors.
Marshall's men have now won two and lost two, but will rue plenty of missed chances from the clash against a fellow top-eight hopeful.
Up next on the agenda for the Tigers will be a trip north to face the Brisbane Broncos.
