Meet the unsung hero who has taken Tigers to ‘another level’
Meet the man quietly steering the Wests Tigers back towards the pointy end of the NRL.
Peter Moussa isn’t exactly a household name outside of rugby league circles, but the Wests Tigers’ Head of High Performance is being credited as a major contributor to the club’s buoyant start in 2026.
The Tigers’ 2-1 record this season has been underpinned by a defensive resilience not seen at the club for 15 years – at a time where the speed of the game is fiercer than ever.
Ahead of Easter Monday’s blockbuster match against Parramatta, Tigers stars Alex Twal and Sunia Turuva told foxsports.com.au that fitness and connection were key elements in the Tigers’ newfound fortitude – each calling out Moussa for his role.
“Peter’s expectations in the pre-season, a lot of people say they’re unrealistic, but they’re paying dividends with our fitness level to start the season,” said Twal, who at 29 crushed his own fitness goals in the pre-season.
“Where the game is going at the moment, you’ve got to be fit, fast and ready – and he’s definitely ticked his boxes throughout the pre-season in terms of getting the boys in shape.”
Moussa originally joined the Tigers’ physio department in 2011, when current coach Benji Marshall was still playing.
While Marshall’s highly publicised tough love speech to the playing group made the Tigers 2026 standards clear to all earlier this year, it is Moussa who has been enforcing fitness accountability each week.
Benchmark tests have been conducted through the pre-season and into the opening weeks. For players who don’t meet expectations, the upshot is clear: step up or step out.
“It’s either you get left behind or you do the extra work,” Twal said. “If you’re fit, your defence is generally much better.”
Now in his second season at the Tigers, Fijian international Sunia Turuva said the Tigers’ preparation and fitness has “gone to another level”.
“You’ve got to be fit in this game, especially with the six-again rule. Pete is just putting us through it at the moment. But if we want defend for long periods of time, you’ve got to be fit,” he said.
“The way the Peter and Benji work together on the field; if we’re not up to standard in Benji’s eyes – he’ll tell Pete and we’ll be running [extras] straight away. Full credit to those two and the head of performance staff at the Wests Tigers. They’ve done a great job to set us up for the season. Especially Pete Moussa.”
Defence has been a key talking point for the Tigers this season. They lead the league in fewest metres conceded and fewest post-contact metres conceded, according to Fox Sports Lab statistics. Meanwhile, the Tigers’ 16.7 average points conceded per game is the best since 2011 under Tim Sheens – the last time they made the NRL finals.
In fact, the Tigers’ only obvious Achilles Heel in defence has been slow starts after leaking two early tries in each of their past two appearances.
While players are highly cognisant that three matches don’t make a season – and specifically, a tilt at the finals – the ‘F’ word is finally bubbling in the fans’ conscience once again.
“Benji has mentioned with their fitness that they had a pretty big pre-season. All of them look like they’ve put weight on but they’re leaner – and the game’s going that way,” said Fox League host Braith Anasta.
“They’re fitter, they’re on the ball, they’re pushing up, they’re dangerous from anywhere on the field. They’re quick and athletic, and they’ve got some young skilful kids to add to the experience that they’ve got.
“If they continue to make an improvement in their defence, then they’ll win more games than they lose. And if their attack continues to evolve, they’ll be in the finals. That’s what it’s all about.”
Insiders say Marshall has delicately balanced his role as a leader and as a friend, and is reaping the benefits with a roster that he can finally call his own three years into the job.
“We’ve got a very young group here, and just seeing the connection and how they’re able to talk to the older boys – there’s no real division there, which is good to see,” Turuva said.
“I’ve been in some good teams in terms of the brotherhood – some Fijian teams and Penrith. Just the way these boys are all so close here at the Tigers, it’s pretty cool.”
When asked to describe the Tigers’ 2026 side in a word, Twal was quick to respond: “connected”. It’s a big call from a man now in his 10th season at the club.
“Personally, I’ve had quite a few coaches here at the Tigers and I’d put Benji right up somewhere at the top. He’s been awesome for my game personally, and I think he’s been good for the group as well,” Twal said.
“I played with him back in 2018, 2019 and 2020, and then to see his evolution from assistant coach to head coach, I think he’s doing a great job.
“We’ve got such a diverse group in terms of culture and what everyone brings. He’s been great at bringing everyone together. He puts a lot of time and effort into each individual, and it really pays dividends with his relationship with the boys.”
‘You get left behind’: Meet the unsung hero who has taken Tigers to ‘another level’
‘Get left behind’: Unsung hero behind ‘dangerous’ Tigers surge as strugglers go up ‘another level’
www.foxsports.com.au
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