NRL great Billy Slater smacks down ‘inappropriate’ critics of Benji Marshall after embattled Wests Tigers coach took a mid-season holiday

Billy Slater has defended Benji Marshall after the Wests Tigers coach was criticized for going on holiday to Fiji with his wife and their two children during the club’s downturn.

Tigers players and coaching staff were given three days off during their bye, while Marshall takes a short break abroad.

The vacation was questioned by some as the Tigers were on an eight-game losing streak, with critics suggesting he should try to fix the team.

Last Friday night’s humiliating 56-14 defeat to the Dragons was the ninth loss in a row for the Tigers, who are now at the bottom of the ladder and heading for another wooden spoon.

Slater has thrown his support behind Marshall, saying the criticism of him has been ‘inappropriate’.

Billy Slater (pictured) says Benji Marshall is the right person to coach the Tigers

Marshall (pictured) was widely criticized after taking a mid-season holiday to Fiji with his family

“I feel for Benji because he probably needs to feel like he has to defend himself and validate some of the decisions he makes off the field, which is just completely inappropriate,” Slater said on Nine’s The Billy Slater Podcast.

‘[Teams] get farewells all year round. Players need to get away from the game. Coaches need to distance themselves from the game.

‘Benji hadn’t even coached a game yet and he was criticized. You have to give people a chance. This is not an easy job.

“If you criticize him and think you can do better, raise your hand.

‘At the end of the day, he’s out there trying to change things for his club.’

Slater went on to say that Marshall has made progress with the team, especially with the younger players.

‘I think he is the right person for this position. He is passionate about this club. He knows the game as well as anyone,” Slater said.

The Wests Tigers have lost nine games in a row and are bottom of the NRL ladder

Slater says Marshall (pictured with his wife Zoe) was criticized before he even started coaching this year

“There have been times throughout the year when it seemed like this team was moving forward.

“Consistency is not easy in this league. When you have younger players, especially younger players in key positions, it will take time.

‘We’ve heard Ricky Stuart talk about being patient with these young players. You have to have patience. In the media I sometimes have the feeling that we are a bit impatient.’

Rumors that Marshall was not good enough at the club first circulated in March, but he hit back, insisting he was the ‘first in the building’ before starting training every day.

Marshall told how he prioritises his family every evening between 5pm and 8pm to find a ‘work-life balance’, with Wests Tigers boss Shane Richardson saying his dedication to his work and his family is to be admired become.