Tigers legend Elias says club will benefit from Benji's switch to union TIGERS legend Ben Elias has declared "life will go on without Benji" with the former hooker claiming the club will benefit from Benji Marshall's switch to Rugby union. The former Wests Tigers' ­director told The Sunday ­Telegraph Marshall had to go with the 2005 premiership hero only playing a handful of "first class" games in the past two seasons. Marshall announced he was walking out on rugby league in July after the Tigers failed to honour a verbal commitment for a new and upgraded contract. The Kiwi international opted to switch to the New Zealand Rugby union rather than stay in the NRL and play against his 10 year club. Elias said Marshall's departure to the Auckland Blues had paved the way for a new era with the money saved allowing the club to lock down emerging stars Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks for four years. "Life goes on," Elias said. The club is still there and so is the game. Clubs have lost bigger personalities than Benji and moved on. Him leaving has allowed us to keep the good kids and we have a fantastic crop on the way. There are opportunity costs you have to pay, and letting Benji go was it. It is a shame but the Tigers will move forward. Benji had to go and if you were true to yourself, Benji only had a handful of first class games in the last two years. Elias said the likes of Curtis Sironen, Brooks and Moses would ensure a bright future. f "I think we have invested really well," he said. The youth and talent of these local kids is outstanding. We have had a turbulent year but things are looking good. Everything at the club has changed from chairman down, and I think finally we have stability. We are on the right path.