Wests Tigers star Benji Marshall's fate sealed with a kiss

Journalist Michelle Biship will undergo a COVID-19 test, with Marshall unable to return to training unless that comes back negative.

It won't affect the Raiders' game against the Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday because Marshall was immediately sent into quarantine after giving Bishop a kiss on the cheek.

The drama comes after Wests coach Michael Maguire dropped Marshall 24 hours earlier.

Raiders fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was shocked when he heard of Marshall's omission and was disappointed he wouldn't get to face his idol.

Nicoll-Klokstad made his New Zealand debut alongside Marshall last October after establishing himself in the Green Machine No.1 jersey in 2019.

Marshall has played 312 NRL games and made 31 appearances for the Kiwis since making his debut in 2003.

But he was dropped to an extended bench following Wests' loss to the Gold Coast Titans on the weekend.

Josh Reynolds has been named at five-eighth in his place, alongside halfback Luke Brooks.

"I'm actually pretty shocked to be honest. I was thinking a little bit about the Tigers this morning," he said.

"He's a great of the game and I'm pretty shocked to be honest. I haven't seen any of the game from last weekend - I do know they went down, [but] I'm not too sure why and how.

"It's a little bit disappointing [not to play against him]. It's pretty clear he's someone that I used to look up to growing up.

"I was looking forward to playing against him this weekend. But no one's safe in this game."

Nicoll-Klokstad said Raiders five-eighth Jack Wighton would have a light week due to concussion protocols, but he expected the NSW Blues star to have a big impact against the Tigers.

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Wighton was forced off with 18 minutes remaining in the Raiders' 34-18 loss to Newcastle on Sunday after clashing heads with two Knights and then hitting his head on the ground.

He was unable to return following his head injury assessment and will spend the week going through concussion return-to-play protocols.

Wighton had an up-and-down game in the Knights loss, scoring a brilliant try, but also making a number of errors.

"Just because of the HIA protocols I don't think he'll be doing much this week - I think five days or something is the protocol," Nicoll-Klokstad said.

"He'll be doing minimum stuff this week. He's feeling good and pretty fresh, and he's bouncing round the joint ready to get back on the pitch as well.

"I'll be looking at Jack to have a big game on the weekend."

NRL ROUND FIVE

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium, 7.35pm. Live on Fox League.

Raiders team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Jarrod Croker (C) 4. Curtis Scott 5. Nick Cotric 6. Jack Wighton 7. George Williams 8. Josh Papalii 9. Josh Hodgson (C) 10. Dunamis Lui 11. Joe Tapine 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Siliva Havili 15. Emre Guler 16. Sia Soliola 17. Jordan Rapana 18. Tom Starling 19. Matt Frawley 20. Ryan Sutton 21. Michael Oldfield.

Wests Tigers team: 1. Adam Doueihi 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Joey Leilua 4. Moses Mbye 5. Tommy Talau 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Luke Brooks 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Harry Grant 10. Zane Musgrove 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Chris Lawrence 13. Alex Twal 14. Thomas Mikaele 15. Russell Packer 16. Michael Chee-Kam 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Benji Marshall 19. Luke Garner 20. Billy Walters 21. Corey Thompson.