Adam Doueihi is speaking for the first time since controversially standing himself down from playing as coach Benji Marshall addressed allegations of players using e-cigarettes during training sessions.

Doueihi returned to training on Tuesday and addressed teammates, having clashed with Marshall over the coach’s decision to move him from the halves for last week’s game against the Raiders, which the Tigers lost 56-10.

An irate Doueihi took the opportunity to speak his mind, telling the coach he was fed up with the lack of accountability and professionalism that had led to another failed NRL campaign, and told Marshall he would not be playing against Canberra.

On Tuesday, he was named in the No.7 jersey for Sunday’s local derby against Parramatta alongside co-captain Jarome Luai, who will join the Eels next season after the Tigers told him he was free to leave the club in 2027.

Doueihi raised several issues around standards at the club, with Marshall denying suggestions of double standards among the playing group.

He also denied reports that Tigers players have been vaping in the gym, claiming the stories were “fabricated”, but acknowledged players using e-cigarettes is an issue for the club.

“Is there a vaping problem with players? Probably … There’s a few things that have popped up that I didn’t know.

“Whatever the concerns were from Adam’s perspective, they were all dealt with in the room.”

Marshall said his decision to recall Doueihi immediately into his starting side against the Eels, at the expense of rookie Javon Andrews, was the best call in pursuit of a win.

“I didn’t feel disrespected [by Doueihi’s withdrawal],” Marshall said.

“What I could see was a young guy who needed support and wasn’t in the head space to play … I saw a guy who was hurting and who wasn’t in the position to play. You can’t force that.”

The development came just 24 hours after Doueihi held peace talks with Marshall, chief executive Shaun Mielekamp and football manager Pat Richards, with the rugby league news cycle dominated by the latest drama to engulf the joint-venture.

More to come.