Wests Tigers issue breach notices to five players who failed pre-season fitness standards
The Wests Tigers have put their entire playing roster on notice regarding a shift in the wooden spoon winning club’s expectations with five players failing to meet pre-season fitness goals.
Brent Read and
David Riccio
The Wests Tigers have ushered in a new era of accountability after it emerged that up to five players had been given official breaches for not meeting strict fitness guidelines on their return for pre-season training.
This masthead understands that the entire playing group were given - and agreed to fitness standards - at their exit interviews at the end of last season.
They were expected to meet those standards on their return for pre-season training or face the consequences. The club has been true to its word by issuing official warnings to a handful of players who didn’t meet the expectations required by club officials.
It is understood at least two of the players concerned will be required to front the club’s board to explain why they live up to their end of the bargain.
Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson has made it clear in recent weeks that the club will demand the highest standards from its playing group as they look to avoid a fourth consecutive wooden spoon.
The fact that as many as five players have been given official warnings is confirmation that the club is drawing a line in the sand when it comes to discipline.
While the future of forward John Bateman has been at the centre of much of the off-season debate around the Tigers, the entire playing group have been called on to lift the standards.
As recently as last weekend, Richardson laid a marker for the upcoming season when he told this masthead that players would have to meet expectations or face the consequences.
“Players have to live up to what the standards are of a team that’s going to be successful,” Richardson said.
“There’s no stone unturned about the discipline the club requires to be successful. I’ve got to say overall, I’ve had no major pushback on that.
Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson has warned players to lift their standards. Picture: David Swift
“So the players have got to understand that Benji’s way is the way. It’s as simple as that. And if they want to play first grade at the club, they have to understand it is under what Benji’s rules are. It’s got nothing to do with between young players and older players.
“We have won three straight wooden spoons. We are just not going to accept anything that is not absolutely of the higher standards for culture and for training and everything else.”
Tigers powerbrokers are confident that the club is heading in the right direction and it is hoped that the imminent arrival of four-time premiership winner Jarome Luai can supercharge their resurgence.
Luai will begin training with the Tigers next month, his arrival delayed because he was in England with the Samoan Test side.
The Tigers are also in the mix for Sydney Roosters forward Terrell May and have spoken to Brisbane forward Kobe Hetherington, who is off contract at the end of next season and has been told he is required for this season by Broncos coach Michael Maguire.
The Tigers had hoped he would be in their ranks this season.
