Twist in Jarome Luai signing as Tigers sack figure who clashed with Benji Marshall
The news comes just days after the Wests Tigers confirmed they’d snared Luai from the Panthers.
Scott Fulton has confirmed reports he’s been sacked by the Wests Tigers, just days after the club announced the signing of Jarome Luai from the Panthers. According to the Daily Telegraph, interim Tigers CEO Shane Richardson informed Fulton of the decision over the phone, telling the controversial figure his services were no longer required at the club.
“It’s disappointing because I had such high hopes for the Wests Tigers and the direction we were heading in with recruitment,” Fulton told the publication. “But I really enjoyed my time under the previous management and what we were able to achieve in a short period. These things happen in rugby league and we’ll move on and look for the next opportunity. I wish the club all the best.”
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Fulton was controversially appointed in the role by former CEO Justin Pascoe last year. But the appointment was made without consultation with then-coach Tim Sheens. Not long after Fulton got the job, Sheens’ long-time recruitment boss Warren McDonnell left the club.
Sheens has also since departed, with Benji Marshall taking over the head-coaching role. Marshall was an assistant under Sheens when Fulton was appointed, and also wasn’t privy to the decision to hire him even though he was being groomed to take over from Sheens at the time.
Marshall had reportedly clashed with Fulton ever since he came to the Tigers, but Richardson moved to play down any friction when he came in as interim CEO when the whole board was sacked late last year. “I’ve never met Scott Fulton, so I don’t know that,” Richardson said.
“It is ridiculous for me to even comment on that until I get inside the tent and speak to Benji and Scott and everybody else. It is unfair to single out Scott Fulton or anybody else in this arrangement. It is abut building a club that is internally strong and works together and that is my task over the next six months. I don’t want to make any comments about any individuals.”
