LUI WELCOMES THE HALF-BACK BATTLE
By Wayne Cousins
6/01/2011 4:42:27 PM
The experience of playing regularly alongside the world’s best player in Benji Marshall and the taste of finals football has half-back Rob Lui primed for a very big season.
Lui admits to ‘finding his feet’ in 2010 after playing just a few NRL games the season before after graduating from the Toyota Cup competition.
“The first couple of games last season it was a learning curve for me. I found my feet towards the back end and really enjoyed the season,’’ Lui said.
“I’m really pumped for this season. I’m looking forward to it. It should be a good year for Wests Tigers .”
Lui says the likes of Marshall, hooker and captain Robbie Farah, to experienced prop Todd Payten have played a major role in his development as a young NRL player as he prepares for an almighty battle for the coveted half-back position following the return of Tim Moltzen from a knee injury.
“I want to be the key person in the seven jersey,’’ Lui stated.
“There is always plenty of talk about who will play half-back between Moltz and me but at the end of the day, it is what is best for the team.
“Moltz and I are good mates and the talk doesn’t faze us. Tim and I both want to be playing first grade in round one. It is a good challenge and it is good for the club as well to have two competitive half-backs fighting for the one position.
“All this talk in the end though means nothing as it will come down to Tim Sheens. If he feels I’m the number seven then so be it, if he feels its Tim, then that’s how it is.
“One of the key lessons I learnt last year was to be cool when it comes to pressure. Benji is always cool, he teaches you that as well as directing the forwards.
“I also want to read the game a bit better. Towards the back end of last year, I had better vision in terms of playing either short or long, feeding Benji, or running off Robbie or hitting the forwards or backs."
Lui admits he even sits back at times and marvels at the magical skills of the Golden Boot winner.
“It is still a very big buzz for myself to be playing alongside Benji Marshall,’’ Lui said.
“He was one of my idols when I was at Keebra Park High. He is clearly above everyone else. It is amazing to watch what Benji does.
"Everyone does it, from the coaching staff, the players, to the fans. Benji Marshall is in another world and hopefully he stays there so Wests Tigers can win the premiership in 2011.”
Well, that just about confirms that he'll be sticking around in 2011.
