Benji Marshall has hailed Shane Richardson's long-term commitment to Wests Tigers as "big news" for the rebuilding NRL side, who have tied their chief executive to a new four-year deal.
It comes as the Tigers confirm Penrith winger Sunia Turuva will join the club from 2025 on a three-year contract.
After last December's highly publicised boardroom clean-out, the Tigers installed former Penrith, Cronulla and South Sydney boss Richardson to Justin Pascoe's old CEO role on an interim basis.
The back-to-back wooden spooners have since shown on-field improvement, winning two of their first six games under rookie coach Benji Marshall after managing only four victories from 24 matches last season.
The emergence of rookie five-eighth Lachie Galvin has been a particular highlight.
After the Tigers' previous struggles to attract top-tier talent, Richardson's administration has overseen the signing of marquee recruits Turuva and his Panthers teammate Jarome Luai.
Turuva informed his Panthers teammates he would be leaving at the season's end on Thursday, with the Tigers confirming his signing a day later.
"He is electric and brings great energy to the field every time he plays," Marshall said of the 2023 Dally M rookie of the year.
"Sunia is a great signing for us as a club moving forward."
Richardson's new four-year deal commences on July 2.
The Tigers are hopeful the veteran administrator can inspire the same kind of resurgence he oversaw at the Panthers and Rabbitohs, who respectively won the 2003 and 2014 premierships under his stewardship.
"It's big news for our club that he's committed long-term," Marshall said.
"To me, it means he sees a future and a vision for the future of our club.
"What I love about Richo is there's just no nonsense about what he does.
"There's complete transparency and honesty, and he's brought an experience to the club where he's had success in the past at turning around unsuccessful clubs.
"I love working with him."
Interim chairman Barry O'Farrell, who also joined the club late last year, described Richardson's permanent appointment as a "no-brainer".
"No club can afford to let champions go, whether on the field or in the front office," he said.
Richardson's new deal comes ahead of the Tigers' clash against Brisbane on Saturday, when Marshall's side will aim to snap a three-game losing streak.
The Broncos have named star quartet Adam Reynolds, Payne Haas, Deine Mariner and Brendan Piakura to return from their respective injuries.
"The Broncos are probably the best team in the competition at the moment," Marshall said of last year's runners-up.
"We know it's going to be a tough assignment, but let's just get through 80 minutes of process and see where we get."
Australian Associated Press
