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Blueprint for beating Dragons
Steve Gee and Christian Nicolussi From: The Daily Telegraph September 23, 2010 12:00AM
WESTS Tigers have blown rivals apart with the NRL's most unpredictable attack.
But defence holds the key to their hopes against St George Illawarra, according to the men with the best record against the premiership heavyweights - Cameron Smith and David Furner.
Between them, Melbourne captain Smith and Canberra coach Furner are three from three against the Dragons in 2010\. Furner also won both games in 2009\. And the Test vice-captain and Kangaroos assistant coach yesterday delivered a blueprint that both believe is the key to upsetting the NRL's best grinders.
Forget blowing the Dragons away with expansive attack, Smith and Furner say the Tigers must aim to frustrate Wayne Bennett's men.
Both believe the Dragons' reliance on opposition mistakes for points is a weakness to be exploited.
"We only got to play them once this year, but it was probably one of the better games we've played all year and we beat them," Smith said. "We came out, got away to a really good start, didn't drop too much ball and defensively we were very good.
"We didn't offer them too much on the edges, where they've got a lot of speed.
"They've got Gasnier and Cooper out there and Soward does a really good job as well.
"[But] if you know you can muscle up in defence and don't give them too many opportunities and you hold on to the footy, then you're a real chance of beating them."
Smith suggested the Tigers must rein in the flair to cut down on errors.
"You've just got to be willing to get into an arm-wrestle with the Dragons," he said. "They don't really give you too much.
"They've been the best defensive side in the comp for the past two years, so you always know they're going to come prepared to have a strong defensive game.
"A lot of people have labelled them quite boring with the ball but they're about wearing sides down."
Furner, whose Raiders defeated the Dragons 32-16 in round 24, said Wests had to capitalise on any break or opportunity.
"You have to take your chances and if you make a linebreak against St George you have to make sure you score," he said.
Furner added that Tigers playmaker Benji Marshall had the ability to blow holes in the Dragons' rock-solid defence.
"We allowed Benji to play well the other night, he set up a couple of good tries and he was dangerous," Furner said.
Steve Gee and Christian Nicolussi From: The Daily Telegraph September 23, 2010 12:00AM
WESTS Tigers have blown rivals apart with the NRL's most unpredictable attack.
But defence holds the key to their hopes against St George Illawarra, according to the men with the best record against the premiership heavyweights - Cameron Smith and David Furner.
Between them, Melbourne captain Smith and Canberra coach Furner are three from three against the Dragons in 2010\. Furner also won both games in 2009\. And the Test vice-captain and Kangaroos assistant coach yesterday delivered a blueprint that both believe is the key to upsetting the NRL's best grinders.
Forget blowing the Dragons away with expansive attack, Smith and Furner say the Tigers must aim to frustrate Wayne Bennett's men.
Both believe the Dragons' reliance on opposition mistakes for points is a weakness to be exploited.
"We only got to play them once this year, but it was probably one of the better games we've played all year and we beat them," Smith said. "We came out, got away to a really good start, didn't drop too much ball and defensively we were very good.
"We didn't offer them too much on the edges, where they've got a lot of speed.
"They've got Gasnier and Cooper out there and Soward does a really good job as well.
"[But] if you know you can muscle up in defence and don't give them too many opportunities and you hold on to the footy, then you're a real chance of beating them."
Smith suggested the Tigers must rein in the flair to cut down on errors.
"You've just got to be willing to get into an arm-wrestle with the Dragons," he said. "They don't really give you too much.
"They've been the best defensive side in the comp for the past two years, so you always know they're going to come prepared to have a strong defensive game.
"A lot of people have labelled them quite boring with the ball but they're about wearing sides down."
Furner, whose Raiders defeated the Dragons 32-16 in round 24, said Wests had to capitalise on any break or opportunity.
"You have to take your chances and if you make a linebreak against St George you have to make sure you score," he said.
Furner added that Tigers playmaker Benji Marshall had the ability to blow holes in the Dragons' rock-solid defence.
"We allowed Benji to play well the other night, he set up a couple of good tries and he was dangerous," Furner said.
