Adam Doueihi, Benji Marshall to speak after controversy
Updated ,first published
Adam Doueihi has apologised to Tigers fans and his teammates after controversially standing himself down from playing as coach Benji Marshall addressed allegations of players using e-cigarettes during training sessions.
Doueihi returned to training on Tuesday and addressed teammates, having clashed with Marshall over the coach’s decision to move him from the halves for last week’s game against the Raiders, which the Tigers lost 56-10.
An irate Doueihi took the opportunity to speak his mind, telling the coach he was fed up with the lack of accountability and professionalism that had led to another failed NRL campaign, and told Marshall he would not be playing against Canberra.
Doueihi raised several issues over standards at the club, though refused to elaborate on Wednesday morning as he reiterated that he is committed to his three-year deal with the Tigers and is not eyeing an early exit.
“I should’ve played,” Doueihi said, conceding he took Marshall’s positional call “the wrong way”.
“It hurt watching the boys on the weekend that I wasn’t out there … I’ve had a really, really good conversation with Benji, Shaun and the club about my care-factor for the club.
“I play and wear my heart on my sleeve. I know it’s hard for our fans to see. I let them down on the weekend.
“I’m happy to wear all the criticism … Did I want to bring that noise to the club? No, that wasn’t my intention. I had a really good conversation with [my teammates] after.”
Minutes earlier, Marshall denied suggestions of double standards among the playing group, as well as reports that Tigers players have been vaping in the gym, claiming the stories were “fabricated”, but acknowledged players using e-cigarettes is an issue for the club.
“Is there a vaping problem with players? Probably … There’s a few things that have popped up that I didn’t know.
“Whatever the concerns were from Adam’s perspective, they were all dealt with in the room.”
Marshall said his decision to recall Doueihi immediately into his starting side against the Eels, at the expense of rookie Javon Andrews, was the best call in pursuit of a win.
“I didn’t feel disrespected [by Doueihi’s withdrawal],” Marshall said.
Dan Walsh is a sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.