BENJI MARSHALL CALLS FOR FORWARDS TO PROTECT YOUNG PROPS
By Wayne Cousins
31/03/2012 10:28:04 AM
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Wests Tigers acting captain Benji Marshall says its time the internationals in the forward pack stood up and protected young props Aaron Woods and Matt Groat.
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Speaking before the team’s final training run ahead of tomorrow’s clash against South Sydney at Allianz Stadium, Marshall called on internationals Gareth Ellis, Adam Blair and Chris Heighington to match the big South Sydney pack.
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“Sam Burgess has been the form front-rower of the comp for me. His form has been outstanding,’’ Marshall said.
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“It is no different for our forwards this week. We know they are going to try and come through the middle of us and we have been doing a lot of work this week to tighten that up.
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“I’ve got a lot of confidence in our forwards that we will do a good job this week.
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“I think our young props have been going great. Unfortunately in the past few weeks, they have been criticised of being a bit soft through the middle there but at the same time, we have still got a lot of senior guys in the team.
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“Our back row has all played international footy. That’s no excuse. I think we need to start looking out for (Woods and Groat) a bit more.”
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Marshall said it was vital the side picked up the two competition points on their home turf to get Wests Tigers season rolling. He was very wary of Souths full-back Greg Inglis in open space.
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“Both teams have only won one game so it is not an ideal start. Whoever doesn’t win this game will be languishing down the bottom there. We know we have got a big focus on winning this week. If we don’t win, it is not the end of the world but we really do need to,’’ Marshall said.
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“When I first saw him play, he played at full-back and he was outstanding. The more he gets his hands on the ball, the more dangerous he is. It is a scary prospect with him out there,’’ Marshall added.
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Wests Tigers Head Coach Tim Sheens said Inglis is very dangerous off set pieces.
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“He gets in off John Sutton and he works well off his halves. We are going to have work very hard to keep him quiet and limit his opportunities,’’ Sheens said.
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“Our forward pack aren’t small but we are going to have to work hard to control them, particularly Isaac Luke and his running game so we have done a lot of work on our defence this week.
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“Most of our training sessions has been focused around them so we are going to be very determined to come out and defend well to start the game.”
http://www.weststigers.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=50016&title=benji-marshall-calls-for-forwards-to-protect-young-props
I think our forwards have enough on their plate without having to protect our props.
Our props need protecting, that'll do me.
By Wayne Cousins
31/03/2012 10:28:04 AM
>
Wests Tigers acting captain Benji Marshall says its time the internationals in the forward pack stood up and protected young props Aaron Woods and Matt Groat.
>
Speaking before the team’s final training run ahead of tomorrow’s clash against South Sydney at Allianz Stadium, Marshall called on internationals Gareth Ellis, Adam Blair and Chris Heighington to match the big South Sydney pack.
>
“Sam Burgess has been the form front-rower of the comp for me. His form has been outstanding,’’ Marshall said.
>
“It is no different for our forwards this week. We know they are going to try and come through the middle of us and we have been doing a lot of work this week to tighten that up.
>
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in our forwards that we will do a good job this week.
>
“I think our young props have been going great. Unfortunately in the past few weeks, they have been criticised of being a bit soft through the middle there but at the same time, we have still got a lot of senior guys in the team.
>
“Our back row has all played international footy. That’s no excuse. I think we need to start looking out for (Woods and Groat) a bit more.”
>
Marshall said it was vital the side picked up the two competition points on their home turf to get Wests Tigers season rolling. He was very wary of Souths full-back Greg Inglis in open space.
>
“Both teams have only won one game so it is not an ideal start. Whoever doesn’t win this game will be languishing down the bottom there. We know we have got a big focus on winning this week. If we don’t win, it is not the end of the world but we really do need to,’’ Marshall said.
>
“When I first saw him play, he played at full-back and he was outstanding. The more he gets his hands on the ball, the more dangerous he is. It is a scary prospect with him out there,’’ Marshall added.
>
Wests Tigers Head Coach Tim Sheens said Inglis is very dangerous off set pieces.
>
“He gets in off John Sutton and he works well off his halves. We are going to have work very hard to keep him quiet and limit his opportunities,’’ Sheens said.
>
“Our forward pack aren’t small but we are going to have to work hard to control them, particularly Isaac Luke and his running game so we have done a lot of work on our defence this week.
>
“Most of our training sessions has been focused around them so we are going to be very determined to come out and defend well to start the game.”
http://www.weststigers.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=50016&title=benji-marshall-calls-for-forwards-to-protect-young-props
I think our forwards have enough on their plate without having to protect our props.
Our props need protecting, that'll do me.
