Greg Inglis spotted at Wests Tigers training as new role at NRL club comes to light

Greg Inglis has raises eyebrows in an appearance at Wests Tigers training, with the Melbourne Storm and South Sydney Rabbitohs great spotted wearing the orange and black of Benji Marshall's team this week. The Sydney Morning Herald posted photos of Inglis at the Tigers' training complex at Concord, with the 37-year-old happy to wave for the camera.

It has since come to light that Inglis has been brought in by new coach Marshall to work with young fullback Jahream Bula. Inglis and Bula have played in the Koori Knockout Indigenous carnival together in the past, and Inglis also has a relationship with interim Tigers CEO Shane Richardson.

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Richardson was the CEO at the Rabbitohs when Inglis came over from the Storm in 2011. The pair still have a very good relationship, and Richardson would no doubt have been able to pull some strings to get Inglis to come and work with Bula.

According to the SMH, Inglis is managed by Rich Digital - a company part-owned by Richardson and his son Brent. Richardson is also involved in the 'Goanna Academy' - a program set up by Inglis to help improved mental health for Indigenous communities.

The Tigers have stated that Inglis doesn't have an official assistant coaching role at the club, but will help mentor 22-year-old Bula. Inglis will continue to help and guide the young fullback throughout 2024.

Inglis will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the mentoring role. He played 118 games for the Storm and another 146 for the Rabbitohs, as well as 32 State of Origin games for Queensland and 39 Test matches for Australia.

Jarome Luai signing likened to Greg Inglis' move to Souths

Speaking earlier this month about the signing of Jarome Luai from 2025 onwards, Richardson likened it to when Inglis joined the Rabbitohs in 2011. Inglis had become an absolute superstar at the Storm, but moved to South Sydney to play more fullback.

In confirming his move, Luai said he was keen to step out of the shadows of Nathan Cleary and be the key leader of a team. It was the same for Inglis when he moved away from the Storm and fellow superstars like Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk.

"The better example is when we landed Greg Inglis," Richardson said. "We were on the cusp when we landed Greg Inglis. The statement he made going to us instead of Brisbane was massive for where we were as a club. From then on, we never looked back."

Richardson said when Luai came on the market the back-to-back wooden spooners simply "had to get him". He added: "Why do you sign Daly Cherry-Evans? Why would you sign Adam Reynolds?.

"Every team needs and requires a player who can change the game. They are very few and far between and they are like diamonds when they come up because it’s rare when they do. Especially those with a proven track record of three straight premierships.

"We just had to get him. He’s also a massive coup for us off the field in terms of marketing as well. He’s an exciting person to have on board and he will be a game changer for us."

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