“I’ve got a lot of belief in Starford,” Marshall said.

“I’ve seen things from Starford that a lot of centres can’t do, both in attack and defence.

“Injury-free, Starford is a different guy, and we’re really proud of what he’s doing for us, and he’s improving each week, and getting more match fitness in.

“The sky’s the limit for him, honestly. He’s just sort of scratching the surface.”

As well as his own try on Sunday, To’a threw the final pass for Turuva’s – one of four try assists he has produced in five games this season – while also carrying the ball 121 metres in attack and making 14 tackles, with only one miss.

His stats would have been even better if not for a confrontation with Dane Gagai that cost both players 10 minutes in the sin bin.

While Marshall is delighted with how his right edge is developing, he felt the Tigers should have piled more points on a depleted Newcastle team that is clearly struggling for confidence.

“I thought our attack was average, if I’m being honest,” Marshall said.

“We had a lot of possession, in their half and inside their 20, that we probably should have capitalised on a bit more.

“In saying that, we’re still building on who we are in attack, trying to find out what works best for all of us.

“Our new spine have played only three games together. That’s probably going to take a bit of time, but still, I think we could have been better.”

Marshall has no such complaints about the Tigers’ defence. After six games, they have conceded 110 points, the sixth-best “against” statistic in the NRL.

“I feel like we’re on a bit of a trajectory where we’re still learning who we are, but one thing that has been consistent – bar 20 minutes last week [in a 46-24 loss to Brisbane] – is defensively our resolve and effort that we’re putting in for each other,” he said.

“That’s what wins games … our challenge is to go and do it again next week.”

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Turuva and To’a will fancy their chances at Accor Stadium on Easter Monday, when the Tigers clash with Parramatta for the second time this year.

The Eels are the worst defensive team this year in the NRL, having conceded 202 points at an average of 33.6 per game. The Tigers outgunned them 32-6 in round two, with Turuva posting a hat-trick and To’a also scoring.

That was their first game in tandem, and logic suggests they should continue to improve the longer they play alongside each other.

Michael Chammas and Andrew “Joey” Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. Sign up for the Sin Bin newsletter.