New signings’: Sheens says returning Tigers duo like fresh recruits
For all the excitement surrounding the arrival of Isaiah Papali’i, Api Koroisau and David Klemmer, Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens says you can’t under-estimate the importance of the club’s “other two signings”.
Tommy Talau and Shawn Blore missed all of last season because of injury, and Sheens can’t wait to welcome the return of the 22-year-old pair.
“They are great ‘signings’ for us - they didn’t play a game last season, and coming back from knee injuries is a real bonus,” Sheens told the Herald.
“To say we missed them is an understatement. “They’re two good characters, and I’m really looking forward to working with them. All things being equal you find a spot for both of them in your 17 if not your 13.”
There was so much hype surrounding Talau that he was used as one of the faces of an NRL campaign a few years ago, while Blore became an instant cult hero when he called out Parramatta’s Nathan Brown during his NRL debut during the 2020 season.
Talau ruptured his left ACL in the final round of 2021 - he also suffered a tear in his meniscus and bone fractures to the same knee - and spent the year getting to know Blore while in the rehabilitation group together.
The Tigers banked on their promise by offering the pair contract extensions - Blore until 2024, Talau until the end of 2023 - and the youngsters can not wait to repay the faith.
Back-rower Blore said: “Tim is right, we basically are new recruits when you think we haven’t played in 18 months.
“It’s been a rough couple of years. I’m unproven, I haven’t done anything in the league so far, and for the club to show me that faith and give me a contract extension, it’s really motivating, and I feel like I’ve got a debt to repay.
“They’ve given me the best physios, the best treatment, we’ve got the best facility, I’m in the position to repay that faith, and all I honestly want to do is stay on the park and prove I am worth the contract.”
Blore has undergone extensive conditioning work and will rejoin the main group in the new year.
Talau, who played alongside incoming coach Benji Marshall, said he was also thankful to have his own deal stretched out, and wanted to make an immediate impact.
Sheens said he always liked players capable of playing more than one position, and viewed Blore as someone capable of handling the edge and middle, while Talau, who has spent most of the summer at right centre, was another edge option.
The Tigers return in the new year, with English international John Bateman likely to join them in time for Sheens’ second coming in charge.
