**The home sessions with ‘very needy’ flatmate that could unlock Tigers’ big weapon**
Simon Brunsdon March 6, 2021
Source: FOX SPORTS
Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire might start paying the rent on a house in Sydney’s inner west that has the potential to unlock the team’s biggest weapon this season.
Gun winger David Nofoaluma and star recruit James Roberts have moved in together after the latter arrived at the club over the off-season.
They live not far from the Concord training base and it’s a union that is already paying dividends
“We only live around the corner so it’s convenient, we get in (to training) early in the morning,” Roberts said.
“He’s all right, a bit of high maintenance. He’s very needy.”
They might be new housemates but Roberts and Nofoaluma have known each other for a long time.
They played most of their junior football as opponents, and then teamed up for NSW in the junior State of Origin teams.
Now they’re back in the same colours and Roberts is gunning to start the season at right centre, lining up inside his housemate.
Nofoaluma revealed the pair are so intent on becoming one of the NRL’s elite centre-wing combinations, they take their work home with them.
“We’re going to be playing on the same side. When we’re at home sometimes, if we need to work on something, we’ll just do a video session at home,” he said.
Nofoaluma chose not to bite back at Roberts’ “very needy” jab.
“I’m very high maintenance. He’s a bit of a joker so I thought he might have said something bad,”
“I’ve really enjoyed the fact (living together) came up. Me and Jimmy have a history where we played juniors for NSW in Origin 16s and 18s, we played against each other in Harold Matts and SG Ball. I knew we would have that connection right away. As soon as I had the opportunity to move in with him I said ‘yeah, why not’.
“I think it can only get better from here. We just took it upon ourselves. It’s been great living with him.”
Roberts is a gun centre who has played for the Blues at senior level but his on-field performances have often been inconsistent throughout his career, which has also been peppered by off-field incidents.
He’s been thrown a career lifeline by the Tigers which he is grabbing with both hands, and hopes to nail down a starting spot in the side.
Nofoaluma, on the other hand, is coming off a career-best season in the NRL.
He was the Tigers’ best player last year, considered unlucky to miss Origin selection for NSW, and was rewarded with a fresh four-year contract after Christmas.
His focus now is continuing that form into season 2021.
He admits last time he signed a new contract his form began to slide, and he’s intent on not letting that happen again.
“I remember back in 2017 I thought I had a great year, my best year at that time, and I got a bit complacent the following year. I signed a new deal, and then ended up getting dropped,” Nofoaluma said.
“I learned from that experience, plus I’ve matured a lot more. I know what it takes, I can’t take a step back and I know what it’s like to really do that.
“I have to keep improving. There’s always weaknesses in every person, and I have those areas I’m working hard at and I think I’m improving on them.
“We’ve got an environment here now that everyone wants to do their best and do the best for each other
Simon Brunsdon March 6, 2021
Source: FOX SPORTS
Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire might start paying the rent on a house in Sydney’s inner west that has the potential to unlock the team’s biggest weapon this season.
Gun winger David Nofoaluma and star recruit James Roberts have moved in together after the latter arrived at the club over the off-season.
They live not far from the Concord training base and it’s a union that is already paying dividends
“We only live around the corner so it’s convenient, we get in (to training) early in the morning,” Roberts said.
“He’s all right, a bit of high maintenance. He’s very needy.”
They might be new housemates but Roberts and Nofoaluma have known each other for a long time.
They played most of their junior football as opponents, and then teamed up for NSW in the junior State of Origin teams.
Now they’re back in the same colours and Roberts is gunning to start the season at right centre, lining up inside his housemate.
Nofoaluma revealed the pair are so intent on becoming one of the NRL’s elite centre-wing combinations, they take their work home with them.
“We’re going to be playing on the same side. When we’re at home sometimes, if we need to work on something, we’ll just do a video session at home,” he said.
Nofoaluma chose not to bite back at Roberts’ “very needy” jab.
“I’m very high maintenance. He’s a bit of a joker so I thought he might have said something bad,”
“I’ve really enjoyed the fact (living together) came up. Me and Jimmy have a history where we played juniors for NSW in Origin 16s and 18s, we played against each other in Harold Matts and SG Ball. I knew we would have that connection right away. As soon as I had the opportunity to move in with him I said ‘yeah, why not’.
“I think it can only get better from here. We just took it upon ourselves. It’s been great living with him.”
Roberts is a gun centre who has played for the Blues at senior level but his on-field performances have often been inconsistent throughout his career, which has also been peppered by off-field incidents.
He’s been thrown a career lifeline by the Tigers which he is grabbing with both hands, and hopes to nail down a starting spot in the side.
Nofoaluma, on the other hand, is coming off a career-best season in the NRL.
He was the Tigers’ best player last year, considered unlucky to miss Origin selection for NSW, and was rewarded with a fresh four-year contract after Christmas.
His focus now is continuing that form into season 2021.
He admits last time he signed a new contract his form began to slide, and he’s intent on not letting that happen again.
“I remember back in 2017 I thought I had a great year, my best year at that time, and I got a bit complacent the following year. I signed a new deal, and then ended up getting dropped,” Nofoaluma said.
“I learned from that experience, plus I’ve matured a lot more. I know what it takes, I can’t take a step back and I know what it’s like to really do that.
“I have to keep improving. There’s always weaknesses in every person, and I have those areas I’m working hard at and I think I’m improving on them.
“We’ve got an environment here now that everyone wants to do their best and do the best for each other
