Make or Break for Wests Tigers: Tim Sheens

S

shiretiger

Active member
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/make-or-break-for-wests-tigers-tim-sheens/story-e6frexnr-1225833383331

VETERAN Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has been around long enough to know that the 2010 NRL season is a case of now or never for his under-achieving side.
>
The Tigers have not reached the finals since their premiership triumph in 2005, and, with many of the team's once promising youngsters now seasoned first-graders, Sheens, in the final year of his contract, knows it's time for his players to stand up and deliver.
>
Seven wins in their last nine games were not quite enough to clinch a top-eight spot in 2009, but there was evidence in the latter part of the season to suggest the Tigers can be serious contenders in 2010.
>
"I suppose our form at the end of last season has generated some excitement for our supporters and sponsors and we are all fully aware that we need to make the eight this season," Sheens said.
>
"In the last few seasons we have invested a lot of faith in our young players and in Keith Galloway, Chris Lawrence, Tim Moltzen we have three outstanding young talents who have shown they are more than comfortable at this level. Now they must take it to the next level."
>
The signing of English workhorse Gareth Ellis was an unqualified success last year, with the 28-year-old second-rower enjoying a fine first campaign in the NRL.
>
And Sheens is confident the acquisition of dual international Lote Tuqiri will have a similar effect on his side, which will again look to the organising and creative skills of Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall.
>
"He is obviously a great talent, but he hasn't played in the NRL for eight years so we can't expect him to be up to speed immediately," Sheens said.
>
"But I am looking forward to working with him and he will be a huge asset to us."
>
Sheens hinted Tuqiri could play at fullback and admitted he is reluctant to blood exciting young halfback Robert Lui too soon, despite playing the 20-year-old in three of the last four games of last season.
>
"He is a fabulous talent, who is as exciting as anyone I have seen with ball in hand, but we have to be careful not to give him too much too soon," he said.
>
"Young (Daniel) Mortimer at Parramatta did very well last season, but Daniel Anderson did not start him until midway through the season and that was probably the right thing to do.
>
"Moltzen did very well at halfback alongside Benj (Benji Marshall) last year _so we do have options with Lote, **Shannon Gallant** and also Mitch Brown who has joined us from Cronulla and impressed_.
>
"Once Robert is up to speed with Robbie (Farah) and Benj, he will be a great player but we are keen to look after him and not expose him to too much too soon."
>
WESTS TIGERS PREVIEW
>
Year entered premiership: 2000
>
Premierships: 1 - 2005
>
Finishes over the past three years: 2009 - 9th, 2008 - 10th, 2007 - 9th
>
Coach: Tim Sheens
>
Captain: Robbie Farah
>
Gains: Lote Tuqiri (Leicester, English rugby union), Jason Cayless (St Helens), Geoff Daniela (Penrith), Mark Flanagan (Wigan), Mitch Brown (Cronulla), Daniel Fitzhenry (Hull KR), Liam Fulton (Huddersfield), Junior Moors (Penrith), Arana Taumata (unattached), Tame Tupou (Bradford)
>
Losses: Dene Halatau (Bulldogs), John Skandalis (retired), Dean Collis (Cronulla), John Morris (Cronulla), **Shannon Gallant** (Nth Qld), Peni Tagive (St George Illawarra), Daine Laurie (Penrith), Danny Galea (Canberra) Rocky Trimarchi (Celtic Crusaders), Rhys Hanbury (Celtic Crusaders).
>
Money Man: Benji Marshall. Showed glimpses of his best form in the latter end of last season as the Tigers just missed out on the finals with a red-hot run of form. The run coincided with Marshall's return to five-eighth and with the New Zealand star certain to start the season wearing the No.6 shirt, he must fire consistently to ensure the Tigers make the finals for the first time in five years.
>
One to watch: Lote Tuqiri. Returning to the NRL after an eight-year absence in rugby union, Tuqiri bolsters an already explosive backline. But with try machine Taniela Tuiaki set to miss the start of the season with an ankle injury, the dual international winger will be expected to fill the big void left by the New Zealander.
>
Best team: Tim Moltzen, Taniela Tuiaki, Blake Ayshford, Chris Lawrence, Lote Tuqiri, Benji Marshall, Robert Lui, Keith Galloway, Robbie Farah, Bryce Gibbs, Todd Payten, Gareth Ellis, Chris Heighington. Interchange: Jason Cayless, Liam Fulton, Arana Taumata, Daniel Fitzhenry.
>
Betting: Centrebet $12, TAB SportsBet $13.

Shannon Gallant is back! 😱pen_mouth:

Surely Fitzy isn't in our BEST team 😱pen_mouth: :imp: :deadhorse:
 
"Moltzen did very well at halfback alongside Benj (Benji Marshall) last year so we do have options with Lote, Shannon Gallant and also Mitch Brown who has joined us from Cronulla and impressed.

Someone tell him that Mighty Mouse is gone :laughing:
 
Geez he likes to bring up what other coaches, clubs and players have done alot. From what I understand Motimer only got selected because Kingston got injured. It was hardly a pre-season determination by Daniel Anderson that Mortimer would only be used at the back end of the year.

Theres a hint there that Sheens might start with Lui, then put him back to the 20's and then what bring him back in towards the end of the season. It sounds like the depth and options has Tim in all sorts.
 
I hope Sheens gives Lazarus a go in the next trial v the Sharkies. I see FB now a real prob area for us, until Tuqiri arrives (but will he solve our problem?) I strongly believe Moltzen/Marshall need to be the halves - that was proven in our last 7 wins (from 9 games) last year.
 
Lazarus is not ready yet in terms of managing his injury and match fitness to be completely honest.

Blakes recovery has to be first and foremost in the process. I rate him highly but realistically I just don't see it for months yet by which time Lote will be well versed with the WT style and structure
 
To Mr Sheens,
heard it all before…..watershed, make or break...........I AM OVER IT!
Just make the finals.
😛ray:

You have talked the talk, now if you and your players can't walk the walk then.............
Humpreys will sign you on for another 3 years again anyways.
:smiley:

That little pinkie on your right hand is quite big, it has plenty of people at the club wrapped around it.

I love you as a coach, you have the nutz to do what you think is best and often you come up trumps but seldomly do you take the wrap for a decision gone wrong. This side needs confidence, restore that into the boys and we will all be smiling.

A Frustrated Triserratops
:brick:
 
Well hopefully the Tigers show some noticeable improvement against the Sharks this week because they're not going to have it all their own way against Manly in round 1\. If Lui fails to improve against the Sharks I feel we could see Moltzen start at 7 with Brown moving to fullback.

But as others have stated, the Tigers need to aim up. They've talked it up but it's now time to start putting in th effort out on the field.
 
@willow said:
Well hopefully the Tigers show some noticeable improvement against the Sharks this week because they're not going to have it all their own way against Manly in round 1\. If Lui fails to improve against the Sharks I feel we could see Moltzen start at 7 with Brown moving to fullback.

But as others have stated, the Tigers need to aim up. They've talked it up but it's now time to start putting in th effort out on the field.
Click to expand...

The impression I got is that Sheens sees Lui as a long term half-back option, but he's not ready to start the year. His runs in the trial match, from what I gather, are about giving him opportunities so that he's better prepared if or when he's used later in the year.

In the meantime it sounds like Sheens will use Moltzen at half-back with, ideally, Tuquiri or alternatively Brown at fullback to start the year.

I could be totally wrong, but that's just the impression I get from reading the tea leaves.
 
@Colonel said:
@willow said:
Well hopefully the Tigers show some noticeable improvement against the Sharks this week because they're not going to have it all their own way against Manly in round 1\. If Lui fails to improve against the Sharks I feel we could see Moltzen start at 7 with Brown moving to fullback.

But as others have stated, the Tigers need to aim up. They've talked it up but it's now time to start putting in th effort out on the field.

The impression I got is that Sheens sees Lui as a long term half-back option, but he's not ready to start the year. His runs in the trial match, from what I gather, are about giving him opportunities so that he's better prepared if or when he's used later in the year.

In the meantime it sounds like Sheens will use Moltzen at half-back with, ideally, Tuquiri or alternatively Brown at fullback to start the year.

I could be totally wrong, but that's just the impression I get from reading the tea leaves.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Wow….I got the same tea leaves....

This weeks Team sheet could tell more.........
 
the team sheet will be very interesting over the next couple of months. but we wont get that full team sheet with tuqiri and tuaki and hopefully tupou for a while yet. can we hold strong until then?
 
Jason Cayless, Liam Fulton, Arana Taumata, Daniel Fitzhenry - I will be filthy if this is the bench of our top 17…
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Members online

Total: 872 (members: 33, guests: 839)
Back
Top