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No rush for Moltzen, says Sheens
David Beniuk AAPFri, Mar 18, 2011 - 5:51 PM
Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens is resisting the temptation to rush gun utility Tim Moltzen back into a starting jersey.
Moltzen began his NRL comeback from a serious knee injury with 10 minutes off the bench in Monday night's 24-14 loss to Canterbury.
The 22-year-old has been named among the Tigers' interchange players again for Saturday night's clash with the Warriors at Leichhardt Oval.
"From the outside looking in you may say (it's tempting) but Tim hasn't had the game-time," Sheens said.
"I'm still concerned about his confidence with that knee but he'll get more time this week than last week and next week the same and he's on song for a return to a starting position within the next two or three weeks."
That places fullback Wade McKinnon and halfback Robert Lui under pressure to hold their spots but only if everyone remains fit, Sheens said.
"I just want Timmy to be playing, it doesn't matter what position, he can play anywhere in the backline," he said.
"Right at this point I just want to get through this game.
"Tim will play a part and we'll wait and see what happens.
"The way things fall generally in football games you don't predict what's going to happen in a month's time."
Right now the concerns for the Tigers are forwards Bryce Gibbs (knee) and Gareth Ellis (ankle).
Gibbs is still trying to get the knee he fractured in 2010 to 100 per cent after taking a knock in the same spot during the pre-season trial against the Sydney Roosters.
Ellis injured an ankle at ANZ Stadium on Monday night.
With backrower Liam Fulton sidelined for up to six weeks with a shoulder injury, the pair will be given until match day to prove their fitness.
Sheens said it was his side's kicking which most needed improving against the Warriors who were also first-up losers, 24-18 to Parramatta.
But he added kicking was the only aspect of superstar Benji Marshall's game that was off as he deals with the major off-field distraction of an assault charge.
"He'd have been unhappy with his kicking game but overall his running game and other aspects of his game were quite good," Sheens said.
"I'm not overly worried about how far he is away from form.
"In fact I don't want him to over-try, that's the issue I concern myself with and I've been at him not to try and prove anything to anyone, just get out and play his football."
David Beniuk AAPFri, Mar 18, 2011 - 5:51 PM
Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens is resisting the temptation to rush gun utility Tim Moltzen back into a starting jersey.
Moltzen began his NRL comeback from a serious knee injury with 10 minutes off the bench in Monday night's 24-14 loss to Canterbury.
The 22-year-old has been named among the Tigers' interchange players again for Saturday night's clash with the Warriors at Leichhardt Oval.
"From the outside looking in you may say (it's tempting) but Tim hasn't had the game-time," Sheens said.
"I'm still concerned about his confidence with that knee but he'll get more time this week than last week and next week the same and he's on song for a return to a starting position within the next two or three weeks."
That places fullback Wade McKinnon and halfback Robert Lui under pressure to hold their spots but only if everyone remains fit, Sheens said.
"I just want Timmy to be playing, it doesn't matter what position, he can play anywhere in the backline," he said.
"Right at this point I just want to get through this game.
"Tim will play a part and we'll wait and see what happens.
"The way things fall generally in football games you don't predict what's going to happen in a month's time."
Right now the concerns for the Tigers are forwards Bryce Gibbs (knee) and Gareth Ellis (ankle).
Gibbs is still trying to get the knee he fractured in 2010 to 100 per cent after taking a knock in the same spot during the pre-season trial against the Sydney Roosters.
Ellis injured an ankle at ANZ Stadium on Monday night.
With backrower Liam Fulton sidelined for up to six weeks with a shoulder injury, the pair will be given until match day to prove their fitness.
Sheens said it was his side's kicking which most needed improving against the Warriors who were also first-up losers, 24-18 to Parramatta.
But he added kicking was the only aspect of superstar Benji Marshall's game that was off as he deals with the major off-field distraction of an assault charge.
"He'd have been unhappy with his kicking game but overall his running game and other aspects of his game were quite good," Sheens said.
"I'm not overly worried about how far he is away from form.
"In fact I don't want him to over-try, that's the issue I concern myself with and I've been at him not to try and prove anything to anyone, just get out and play his football."
