G
Guest
Guest
Wests Tigers forward Adam Blair vows the change tackling technique
Josh Massoud
The Daily Telegraph
July 17, 2012 12:00AM
\
\
WESTS Tigers star Adam Blair has vowed to be more "careful" with his tackling technique after becoming the first player to be suspended for a leg-pull last week.
The punishment angered Tigers coach Tim Sheens and skipper Robbie Farah, both of whom claimed Blair was pre-judged on the wrestling reputation of former club Melbourne. But Blair dismissed any suggestion of victimisation ahead of his return for Monday night's trip to Townsville.
The Kiwi back-rower did, however, predict whistleblowers would be looking more closely at the offence and promised to adjust accordingly. "I work hard on the ground," he said. "Obviously I got in a bit of trouble for it last week. I've got to be careful with what I'm doing and concentrate really hard on the things I do on the ground."
Blair was outed for one week after the NRL match review committee deemed him to illegally twist the ankle of Bulldogs centre Josh Morris.
Referees missed the incident and Blair also struggled to recall it yesterday.
"It happened so quick," he said. "You don't get a chance to think that quick.
"Obviously I got done with a leg-pull, I've moved on from there now. It's an issue that's going to be looked at closely in the coming weeks."
Despite breaking a three-match losing streak with a much-needed win over lowly Penrith last weekend, Tigers players were still loath to talk up their form yesterday.
The Tigers remain in eighth position and must beat the Cowboys to be assured of staying there.
"We are harsh critics on ourselves. We're not playing to the best of our ability."
Josh Massoud
The Daily Telegraph
July 17, 2012 12:00AM
\
\
WESTS Tigers star Adam Blair has vowed to be more "careful" with his tackling technique after becoming the first player to be suspended for a leg-pull last week.
The punishment angered Tigers coach Tim Sheens and skipper Robbie Farah, both of whom claimed Blair was pre-judged on the wrestling reputation of former club Melbourne. But Blair dismissed any suggestion of victimisation ahead of his return for Monday night's trip to Townsville.
The Kiwi back-rower did, however, predict whistleblowers would be looking more closely at the offence and promised to adjust accordingly. "I work hard on the ground," he said. "Obviously I got in a bit of trouble for it last week. I've got to be careful with what I'm doing and concentrate really hard on the things I do on the ground."
Blair was outed for one week after the NRL match review committee deemed him to illegally twist the ankle of Bulldogs centre Josh Morris.
Referees missed the incident and Blair also struggled to recall it yesterday.
"It happened so quick," he said. "You don't get a chance to think that quick.
"Obviously I got done with a leg-pull, I've moved on from there now. It's an issue that's going to be looked at closely in the coming weeks."
Despite breaking a three-match losing streak with a much-needed win over lowly Penrith last weekend, Tigers players were still loath to talk up their form yesterday.
The Tigers remain in eighth position and must beat the Cowboys to be assured of staying there.
"We are harsh critics on ourselves. We're not playing to the best of our ability."
