Bryan Fletcher smacks down Shane Richardson as Wests Tigers boss' 'best spine' call backfires

NRL great Bryan Fletcher has rejected a bold claim from Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson that his side will have the "best spine" in the competition in 2025. The Tigers have added the superstar signing of Jarome Luai for next season, with the four-time premiership winner set to form a deadly new halves combination with breakout young gun Lachlan Galvin.

Livewire fullback Jahream Bula and former Blues Origin halfback and captain Api Koroisau look set to make up the rest of the Tigers' spine, which admittedly looks very strong on paper. But with the Melbourne Storm boasting the likes of Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant and reigning premiers Penrith among other clubs with arguably stronger spines, Richardson has been called out over his take.

Speaking on SEN radio on Monday afternoon, former Roosters star Fletcher said "I have to disagree" with Richardson's confident claim. He agreed that the Tigers have assembled a quality spine that has the potential to be one of the best in the competition but was adamant they weren't at that level yet.

"Not now... Richo is saying it's now. I disagree. They do not have the best spine in the competition," Fletcher said. He listed Brisbane, Penrith, Melbourne and Cronulla as teams he thinks have better spines than the Tigers, before adding: "I would even say the Cowboys spine is better than the Tigers spine."

Fletcher accepted that the Tigers' foursome is strong on paper but insisted "they haven't played together yet" and suggested time will tell how well the spine members gel and whether they can get Marshall's men ticking in 2025. Richardson's claim also ramps up the pressure on the second-year head coach, with Marshall surely expected to get better results next season.

The Tigers are hoping to avoid a dreaded fourth-straight wooden spoon in 2025 after showing improvement under Marshall this year but ultimately finishing last again. Marshall's men have recruited well for next season though, with Luai joined by fellow former Panther Sunia Turuva, props Royce Hunt and Terrell May and the versatile Jack Bird.

Wests Tigers under added pressure to perform in 2025

But many would feel that Richardson's comments suggest that if the Tigers don't see a vast improvement with a talented new-look squad next season then Marshall's position could be under threat. It also places unnecessary pressure on the spine members that Richardson referred to and almost guarantees scrutiny for those players if results don't go their way.

Tigers captain Koroisau did his best to remain grounded when asked to respond to the bold call from his club CEO but admitted that Richardson and the Tigers are likely to be reminded about the comment for some time. “I appreciate his confidence, that’s for sure," Koroisau said. “Him putting something like that out there puts a target on his back. For him to back us is pretty special.”

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The pressure on marquee signing Luai to return the Tigers to winning ways is set to be massive but the experienced playmaker has proven on numerous occasions that he can cope with the weight of expectation. The real test will be how youngsters Galvin and Bula - aged 19 and 22 respectively - stand up under such heightened scrutiny next season.