Wests Tigers are on the eve of a new era as they replace their CEO and the structure of the running of the club.
This is likely to spell the end of David Nofoaluma’s time at the club. He was banned from training a week ago and was penalised recently for being late to training and it is believed that the winger will leave the club.
He is the club’s leading try scorer but an exit looms with a Super League move likely with the likes of Salford Red Devils and St Helens needing backs.
The Red Devils are set to lose Joe Burgess after a disciplinary incident as per reports and Nofoaluma would be an ideal replacement. After losing Ken Sio, they have a quota spot to use.
As for St Helens, they are already in the market to sign a centre after Will Hopoate’s departure leaving them with a quota spot and a vacant number three spot but the reports about Jack Welsby’s future is likely to generate more pressure on their recruitment thus they could make a move for Nofoaluma.
This opportunity comes on the eve of a new era at the Wests Tigers. Their new Interim CEO Shane Richardson has spoken to the media for the first time since being appointed to the role on Tuesday.
Richardson brings a wealth of rugby league knowledge to Wests Tigers having more than 30 years’ experience in club management, overseeing premiership victories at both Penrith and South Sydney.
As well as achieving grand final glory with the Panthers and Rabbitohs, Richardson has also been through some tough times over the years and insists there’s no point ‘dwelling on the past’.
“I’ve never been at a club yet that wasn’t on the bottom of the ladder when I started,” he said.
“We’ve managed to make a couple of grand finals and win a couple of premierships. So we’re going to try and set things up strategically to work towards that goal here,”
The immediate future for the football team is finishing its pre-Christmas block of training strongly under new head coach Benji Marshall.
Although yet to sit down and discuss plans with Marshall, Richardson says the club great will have his 100% support.
“He’s enthusiastic. He wants to win. He wants to be a successful coach,” Richardson said.
“My job is put everything around him to allow him to be successful because he’s the head coach. He’s the guy that’s got to front up every Sunday.”
“My role is to support him in any way I can, and I think I’ve got a track record of supporting coaches in their roles.
“All I want is to assist Benji put together the best roster possible.”
