NRL: Wests Tigers star Benji Marshall to start 2019 season despite hamstring trouble

Wests Tigers have moved to assure fans that a hamstring injury suffered by star five-eighth Benji Marshall will not see him miss the start of the 2019 season.

Rumours swept through league circles today that Marshall was in doubt for the big kickoff after tearing his hamstring during a demanding training session in recent days.

But a Tigers spokesman said the injury was a minor one and that the 33-year-old is already back on light running duties.

“It was only a light hamstring tear - a grade one,” the spokesman told WWOS.

“The rumour mill went into overdrive but it is not serious and he will not miss the trials or round one.

“He is already back on the paddock.”

The veteran hero of the Tigers’ 2005 premiership win shapes as a key man in the club’s finals hopes again this season.