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Lui growing in stature for Wests Tigers
IAN MCCULLOUGH
June 5, 2010 - 11:14AM
AAP
Young Wests Tigers playmaker Robert Lui admits playing either side of Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall in the NRL is something he is still coming to terms with.
The 20-year-old halfback showed his growing maturity by slotting over the match-defining 71st-minute field goal in the Tigers' 19-12 win over Canterbury on Friday - a job that would usually fall to Farah or Marshall.
"Playing alongside Benji, Robbie and Lote Tuqiri is what I dreamed about as a little kid, and I am starting to feel more and more comfortable at first grade," Lui told AAP.
"For the field goal I just made sure that I called 'seven' and took control of the situation, that is my job and what I am in the team to do."
Tigers coach Tim Sheens has been a big admirer of the quietly-spoken halfback from Townsville for some time and although he is happy with his progress, said he still had a long way to go to reach his full potential.
"We have a three-pronged kicking game with the two Robbies and Benji and as a seven he has got to start standing up and doing those things, but as 20-year-old it is not easy to do that.
"He is gradually getting there, his best football is well ahead of him and again you can't ask too much more from him."
Sheens again heaped praise on workaholic second-rower Gareth Ellis, who produced another strong performance in conditions more akin to Salford than Sydney, after more than 78 millimetres of rain fell on ANZ Stadium in the 24 hours leading up to kick-off.
Ellis flew out of Sydney on Saturday to play for England against France in Leigh, near Manchester, on Wednesday, and Sheens said he was more than happy to allow the 29-year-old to represent his country.
"We let all of our other rep players play so I am not going to stop him, I think playing in a Test match will be good for him," Sheens said.
"He leaves nothing in the tank, he is scary, I would have to say from the imports, he is probably the best signing this club has ever made."
The Tigers have won their last three games to put their poor run of form, that included a 50-10 defeat by South Sydney last month, firmly behind them.
Sheens said his players had benefited greatly from the work of former Bulldogs mentor Steve Folkes, who is employed as the team's conditioning coach, but said the benefits of playing on three successive Fridays had been a huge factor in their recent run.
"Steve has been pushing them hard and does a good job, the other thing is the seven-day turnaround," Sheens said.
"Ask the Dragons from the first four weeks how good that is. You play on a Sunday and back up on a Friday in heavy conditions it is tough, and that is probably where the Bulldogs are right now."
"Three seven-day turnarounds make such a difference.
"You play on a Friday you are ready to go on Monday morning whereas other teams are sore as hell for two days and have then have two days to prepare."
IAN MCCULLOUGH
June 5, 2010 - 11:14AM
AAP
Young Wests Tigers playmaker Robert Lui admits playing either side of Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall in the NRL is something he is still coming to terms with.
The 20-year-old halfback showed his growing maturity by slotting over the match-defining 71st-minute field goal in the Tigers' 19-12 win over Canterbury on Friday - a job that would usually fall to Farah or Marshall.
"Playing alongside Benji, Robbie and Lote Tuqiri is what I dreamed about as a little kid, and I am starting to feel more and more comfortable at first grade," Lui told AAP.
"For the field goal I just made sure that I called 'seven' and took control of the situation, that is my job and what I am in the team to do."
Tigers coach Tim Sheens has been a big admirer of the quietly-spoken halfback from Townsville for some time and although he is happy with his progress, said he still had a long way to go to reach his full potential.
"We have a three-pronged kicking game with the two Robbies and Benji and as a seven he has got to start standing up and doing those things, but as 20-year-old it is not easy to do that.
"He is gradually getting there, his best football is well ahead of him and again you can't ask too much more from him."
Sheens again heaped praise on workaholic second-rower Gareth Ellis, who produced another strong performance in conditions more akin to Salford than Sydney, after more than 78 millimetres of rain fell on ANZ Stadium in the 24 hours leading up to kick-off.
Ellis flew out of Sydney on Saturday to play for England against France in Leigh, near Manchester, on Wednesday, and Sheens said he was more than happy to allow the 29-year-old to represent his country.
"We let all of our other rep players play so I am not going to stop him, I think playing in a Test match will be good for him," Sheens said.
"He leaves nothing in the tank, he is scary, I would have to say from the imports, he is probably the best signing this club has ever made."
The Tigers have won their last three games to put their poor run of form, that included a 50-10 defeat by South Sydney last month, firmly behind them.
Sheens said his players had benefited greatly from the work of former Bulldogs mentor Steve Folkes, who is employed as the team's conditioning coach, but said the benefits of playing on three successive Fridays had been a huge factor in their recent run.
"Steve has been pushing them hard and does a good job, the other thing is the seven-day turnaround," Sheens said.
"Ask the Dragons from the first four weeks how good that is. You play on a Sunday and back up on a Friday in heavy conditions it is tough, and that is probably where the Bulldogs are right now."
"Three seven-day turnarounds make such a difference.
"You play on a Friday you are ready to go on Monday morning whereas other teams are sore as hell for two days and have then have two days to prepare."
