BALMAIN legend Steve Roach has called on the Wests Tigers to make a physical statement today as they fight for a home final.
>
Roach has put the blowtorch to the Tigers pack ahead of the battle of the west, saying it will take more than razzle dazzle football against Penrith at Campbelltown Stadium.
>
After last week's golden-point loss to South Sydney and unimpressive wins against North Queensland and Cronulla, the Tigers face their toughest test in a month against the second-placed Panthers and their monster pack today.
>
Roach, one of the game's most intimidating frontrowers during his 185-game first grade career over 10 years at Balmain in the 1980s and '90s, says it's time for the Tigers to prove they're not just a one-trick pony.
>
"I worry about the Tigers when they play big, physical packs," Roach said.
\
\
"I love the style of play … and they love throwing the football around, but the other half of the game is being able to defend and trying to intimidate the opposition.
>
"I just don't see that in their mindset and they're my team, I love them.
>
"But this week we've got to match the Panthers physically.
>
"They're one of the two biggest packs in the competition along with Canberra.
>
"We need to prove to ourselves and our fans and people that follow us that we can take it to opposition teams."
>
A glance at the two packs for western derby shows the Tigers weighing in a combined 31kg lighter than their Penrith counterparts.
>
The Tigers have three players - hooker Robbie Farah (88kg) and backrowers Liam Fulton (89kg) and Chris Heighington (98kg) - under 100kg.
>
The Panthers only have one player, hooker Kevin Kingston (89kg), below the 100kg mark.
>
In the late 1980s, Roach combined with fellow internationals Paul Sironen, Benny Elias and Wayne Pearce to form one of the strongest packs in recent history.
>
And the former Test forward suggested the Tigers needed to send a message to their opposition from the opening whistle.
>
"We can take it to them razzle dazzle-wise, but how about we take it to them physically," Roach said.
>
"Tim Sheens is smart enough, he'll know that we have to make it confrontational.
>
"We've just got to make a statement early in that game. If you go out and don't expect a physical confrontation you're in trouble. If you go out with that in your mindset, then you'll be ready to play."
>
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/blocker-roach-challenges-wests-tigers-to-get-tough-in-fight-for-home-final/story-e6frfgbo-1225905297706" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The challenge has been thrown down, hopefully its FORWARD>> rather than side to side from the get go
>
Roach has put the blowtorch to the Tigers pack ahead of the battle of the west, saying it will take more than razzle dazzle football against Penrith at Campbelltown Stadium.
>
After last week's golden-point loss to South Sydney and unimpressive wins against North Queensland and Cronulla, the Tigers face their toughest test in a month against the second-placed Panthers and their monster pack today.
>
Roach, one of the game's most intimidating frontrowers during his 185-game first grade career over 10 years at Balmain in the 1980s and '90s, says it's time for the Tigers to prove they're not just a one-trick pony.
>
"I worry about the Tigers when they play big, physical packs," Roach said.
\
\
"I love the style of play … and they love throwing the football around, but the other half of the game is being able to defend and trying to intimidate the opposition.
>
"I just don't see that in their mindset and they're my team, I love them.
>
"But this week we've got to match the Panthers physically.
>
"They're one of the two biggest packs in the competition along with Canberra.
>
"We need to prove to ourselves and our fans and people that follow us that we can take it to opposition teams."
>
A glance at the two packs for western derby shows the Tigers weighing in a combined 31kg lighter than their Penrith counterparts.
>
The Tigers have three players - hooker Robbie Farah (88kg) and backrowers Liam Fulton (89kg) and Chris Heighington (98kg) - under 100kg.
>
The Panthers only have one player, hooker Kevin Kingston (89kg), below the 100kg mark.
>
In the late 1980s, Roach combined with fellow internationals Paul Sironen, Benny Elias and Wayne Pearce to form one of the strongest packs in recent history.
>
And the former Test forward suggested the Tigers needed to send a message to their opposition from the opening whistle.
>
"We can take it to them razzle dazzle-wise, but how about we take it to them physically," Roach said.
>
"Tim Sheens is smart enough, he'll know that we have to make it confrontational.
>
"We've just got to make a statement early in that game. If you go out and don't expect a physical confrontation you're in trouble. If you go out with that in your mindset, then you'll be ready to play."
>
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/blocker-roach-challenges-wests-tigers-to-get-tough-in-fight-for-home-final/story-e6frfgbo-1225905297706" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The challenge has been thrown down, hopefully its FORWARD>> rather than side to side from the get go
