G
Guest
Guest
Sheens puts Tigers on a leash
* By James Phelps
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* August 21, 2010 12:00AM
\
\
VETERAN coach Tim Sheens has put his team into lockdown for fear of providing any ammunition to desperate weekend rivals Parramatta.
Tigers players have been banned from speaking publicly about the game that could decide whether the Eels take any part in the finals series - and could also determine where the Tigers finish in the top eight.
Sheens called senior players into his office late in the week and warned them not to speak out before the Eels match.
"I can't do an interview today," said one leading Tigers player. "Tim will go nuts. The Eels ended our season last year so he doesn't want us talking about it."
One-man wrecking ball Jarryd Hayne ended their finals hopes last year and is the player the Tigers will have in their sights when the two teams resume their western Sydney war tomorrow.
Last week's win over the Panthers has the Tigers back on a high following a heartbreaking loss to Souths.
Club legend Wayne Pearce predicted the Tigers could be a formidable finals outfit provided rookie half Robert Lui continues to fire.
"Benji is important to their chances but, really, Robert Lui is just as important," Pearce said. "He really has to step up and provide a foil for him.
"The key is Lui being able to take the pressure from Benji because the team struggles when he tries to overplay his hand. He has served his apprenticeship and it is time for him to step up now."
With no shortage of sting in the Tigers attack, Pearce said the focus for Sheens must be defence as the competition hurtles towards an unpredictable finish.
"They need to show that they can play a full 80 minutes of football if they are going to go on and win the competition," Pearce said.
"The only team that plays 80 minutes is the Dragons.
"The last time the Tigers did it was when they played Parramatta earlier this year. There is nothing wrong with their attack but defence is the thing they really need to focus on. They have to get their line right and be able to hold."
Pearce believes the Tigers' defence will be tested tomorrow when they come up against a rampant Hayne.
"He is almost impossible to stop when he is in the mood," Pearce said.
"But it all comes back to holding your line. He is the sort of player that can try something that is so left-field that even the best defence can't stop him.
"The Tigers will just have to go out and do their best."
The Tigers all but sealed a spot in the eight with their win over the Panthers last week but the Eels must win all their games to be a chance of contesting the premiership.
* By James Phelps
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* August 21, 2010 12:00AM
\
\
VETERAN coach Tim Sheens has put his team into lockdown for fear of providing any ammunition to desperate weekend rivals Parramatta.
Tigers players have been banned from speaking publicly about the game that could decide whether the Eels take any part in the finals series - and could also determine where the Tigers finish in the top eight.
Sheens called senior players into his office late in the week and warned them not to speak out before the Eels match.
"I can't do an interview today," said one leading Tigers player. "Tim will go nuts. The Eels ended our season last year so he doesn't want us talking about it."
One-man wrecking ball Jarryd Hayne ended their finals hopes last year and is the player the Tigers will have in their sights when the two teams resume their western Sydney war tomorrow.
Last week's win over the Panthers has the Tigers back on a high following a heartbreaking loss to Souths.
Club legend Wayne Pearce predicted the Tigers could be a formidable finals outfit provided rookie half Robert Lui continues to fire.
"Benji is important to their chances but, really, Robert Lui is just as important," Pearce said. "He really has to step up and provide a foil for him.
"The key is Lui being able to take the pressure from Benji because the team struggles when he tries to overplay his hand. He has served his apprenticeship and it is time for him to step up now."
With no shortage of sting in the Tigers attack, Pearce said the focus for Sheens must be defence as the competition hurtles towards an unpredictable finish.
"They need to show that they can play a full 80 minutes of football if they are going to go on and win the competition," Pearce said.
"The only team that plays 80 minutes is the Dragons.
"The last time the Tigers did it was when they played Parramatta earlier this year. There is nothing wrong with their attack but defence is the thing they really need to focus on. They have to get their line right and be able to hold."
Pearce believes the Tigers' defence will be tested tomorrow when they come up against a rampant Hayne.
"He is almost impossible to stop when he is in the mood," Pearce said.
"But it all comes back to holding your line. He is the sort of player that can try something that is so left-field that even the best defence can't stop him.
"The Tigers will just have to go out and do their best."
The Tigers all but sealed a spot in the eight with their win over the Panthers last week but the Eels must win all their games to be a chance of contesting the premiership.
