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Sheens turns to youth in injury crisis
Steve Jancetic
April 7, 2012 - 2:44PM
AAP
Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens will give an insight into the NRL club's future as he turns to youth to help cover for an injury-ravaged forward pack.
The Tigers' already shallow forward stocks took a battering on Friday night, with English Test representative Chris Heighington and young prop Matt Groat lost before halftime in the 18-14 defeat to Brisbane.
Heighington broke three bones in his hand, with a visit to the specialist in the coming days to determine the length of his rehabilitation, while Groat is an unlikely starter against Penrith next weekend after being concussed by a heavy Ben Te'o shoulder charge that was put on report.
The pair join the already injured Gareth Ellis (foot) on the sidelines - the extended casualty ward the last thing Sheens needs with the side having just one win from their opening six games.
"Luckily we've got nine days to put it together, but we're going to be scratching to put a side together in the back-row now losing Heighington as well," Sheens said.
"You're losing people in one position, when you lose guys in one position most sides will struggle, you're starting to have to dig pretty deep.
"Guys will have to fill in, guys that don't normally play there will have to fill in a bit and some of the younger ones will have to be given a go.
"There's a couple of good kids in the 20s and NSW Cup - someone will step up."
Asked about the what will be the toughest factor to replace, Sheens said:
"Experience is what we've lost in Gareth and Chris.
"Bringing on another young fella, it's not always easy to step up under the pressure that we're under with a 1-5 start - that's not easy for a kid to come in.
"The guys are a bit anxious at the moment, the pressure's on us."
Steve Jancetic
April 7, 2012 - 2:44PM
AAP
Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens will give an insight into the NRL club's future as he turns to youth to help cover for an injury-ravaged forward pack.
The Tigers' already shallow forward stocks took a battering on Friday night, with English Test representative Chris Heighington and young prop Matt Groat lost before halftime in the 18-14 defeat to Brisbane.
Heighington broke three bones in his hand, with a visit to the specialist in the coming days to determine the length of his rehabilitation, while Groat is an unlikely starter against Penrith next weekend after being concussed by a heavy Ben Te'o shoulder charge that was put on report.
The pair join the already injured Gareth Ellis (foot) on the sidelines - the extended casualty ward the last thing Sheens needs with the side having just one win from their opening six games.
"Luckily we've got nine days to put it together, but we're going to be scratching to put a side together in the back-row now losing Heighington as well," Sheens said.
"You're losing people in one position, when you lose guys in one position most sides will struggle, you're starting to have to dig pretty deep.
"Guys will have to fill in, guys that don't normally play there will have to fill in a bit and some of the younger ones will have to be given a go.
"There's a couple of good kids in the 20s and NSW Cup - someone will step up."
Asked about the what will be the toughest factor to replace, Sheens said:
"Experience is what we've lost in Gareth and Chris.
"Bringing on another young fella, it's not always easy to step up under the pressure that we're under with a 1-5 start - that's not easy for a kid to come in.
"The guys are a bit anxious at the moment, the pressure's on us."
