Aladinsane
New member
Moltzen happy to move to halves if new recruit Tuqiri wants to play at the back
GLENN JACKSON February 08, 2010
WESTS TIGERS coach Tim Sheens is open-minded about which position Lote Tuqiri will fill when he arrives from Leicester - and so is the player who made fullback his home for the club last season, Tim Moltzen.
Moltzen is in the curious position of being able to gain and lose the most from the Tigers' acquisition of Tuqiri; the 21-year-old could lose the fullback position, but he might also fill the halfback role the club has struggled with since Scott Prince departed.
That explains why Moltzen is cautiously content to hand over the No.1 jersey, in which he excelled late last season, should Tuqiri hit the ground running upon his return to the NRL.
''I've played a fair bit of fullback and halfback [at training] in the off-season,'' Moltzen said. ''Lote will be an asset for the team - he's a world-class player. I think everyone's happy to have him on board.
''From my point of view, this time last year I was happy to play anywhere. It might take Lote a bit of time to find his feet, which might mean me staying at fullback a little while longer, but if fullback's where Tim wants Lote to play, I might hopefully slip back into the halves.''
Moltzen said he had no preference yet. ''There are pros and cons of half and fullback but I've enjoyed both,'' he said. ''I'll be happy to play wherever. We'll just wait and see.''
Moltzen said Tuqiri would help the Tigers reach the finals for the first time since 2005.
''It's an exciting time for the club,'' he said. ''He's a big-name player and he's one we'll benefit from. Everyone's excited about the prospect of playing with him.
''Hopefully, on the back of where we finished the season last year, it'll be a successful year. We haven't made the top eight since they made the grand final but I think he'll help us achieve that.''
GLENN JACKSON February 08, 2010
WESTS TIGERS coach Tim Sheens is open-minded about which position Lote Tuqiri will fill when he arrives from Leicester - and so is the player who made fullback his home for the club last season, Tim Moltzen.
Moltzen is in the curious position of being able to gain and lose the most from the Tigers' acquisition of Tuqiri; the 21-year-old could lose the fullback position, but he might also fill the halfback role the club has struggled with since Scott Prince departed.
That explains why Moltzen is cautiously content to hand over the No.1 jersey, in which he excelled late last season, should Tuqiri hit the ground running upon his return to the NRL.
''I've played a fair bit of fullback and halfback [at training] in the off-season,'' Moltzen said. ''Lote will be an asset for the team - he's a world-class player. I think everyone's happy to have him on board.
''From my point of view, this time last year I was happy to play anywhere. It might take Lote a bit of time to find his feet, which might mean me staying at fullback a little while longer, but if fullback's where Tim wants Lote to play, I might hopefully slip back into the halves.''
Moltzen said he had no preference yet. ''There are pros and cons of half and fullback but I've enjoyed both,'' he said. ''I'll be happy to play wherever. We'll just wait and see.''
Moltzen said Tuqiri would help the Tigers reach the finals for the first time since 2005.
''It's an exciting time for the club,'' he said. ''He's a big-name player and he's one we'll benefit from. Everyone's excited about the prospect of playing with him.
''Hopefully, on the back of where we finished the season last year, it'll be a successful year. We haven't made the top eight since they made the grand final but I think he'll help us achieve that.''
