Titans v Tigers: Wests coach Jason Taylor wants defensive woes to remain thing of the past
CHRISTIAN NICOLUSSI THE DAILY TELEGRAPH MARCH 06, 2015 4:12PM SHARE
Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor wants his player focused on defending their line
MAKING players muscle up in defence was high on the agenda for coach Jason Taylor when he first lobbed at the Wests Tigers.
And this weekend Taylor will quickly find out if all the hard work spent on tackling and defence over the summer will pay off when the Tigers travel to the Gold Coast.
The Tigers had the worst defensive record in the NRL last year when they leaked a whopping 631points.
They even conceded more points than wooden-spooners Cronulla (613 points).
While exciting youngsters Luke Brooks, Mitch Moses and James Tedesco will ensure plenty of points are scored, Taylor stressed the importance of defending their own tryline.
The early signs are good if the trials are any guide as the Tigers gave up a combined 12 points against an under-strength Parramatta, and a Cronulla side still finding its way with new recruits Ben Barba and Michael Ennis in key positions.
Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor calls for patience“I’ve been happy with what we’ve done defensively in the trials, but they were only trials, and you have to keep that in perspective,’’ Taylor told The Daily Telegraph.
“We’ve worked hard in all areas, but it is important we improve there (in defence) because the team was last when it came to defence last year.
“We must improve our defence if we’re to do anything this year.
“Any coach who takes over a new team, the first thing you look at is some of the detail of the performances, and that was an area that stood out.’’
The Tigers have often been noted for their attacking prowess, which stemmed from the free-spirited and side-stepping crowd favourite Benji Marshall.
That reputation has stuck. As Taylor said at the club’s launch, the Warriors were also still pegged as an exciting attacking team, even though former coach Ivan Cleary changed that mindset several years ago.
The cocaine scandal that has rocked the Titans, and led to five players, including representative stars Greg Bird and Dave Taylor, being stood down, means the Tigers are warm favourites.
Asked yesterday if the Titans now had a point to prove, Taylor said: “I’m sure they will, I think that will definitely be the case, and they’ll have some young guys in that team who will be excited by that opportunity to play.
“We expect a tough opposition, but it’s not about them, it’s about us as far as we’re concerned. We need to work hard at what we’ve been practising, and if we can do that for 80 minutes, we’ll be hard to beat.’’
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/titans-v-tigers-wests-coach-jason-taylor-wants-defensive-woes-to-remain-thing-of-the-past/story-fni3grk4-1227251470027
CHRISTIAN NICOLUSSI THE DAILY TELEGRAPH MARCH 06, 2015 4:12PM SHARE
Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor wants his player focused on defending their line
MAKING players muscle up in defence was high on the agenda for coach Jason Taylor when he first lobbed at the Wests Tigers.
And this weekend Taylor will quickly find out if all the hard work spent on tackling and defence over the summer will pay off when the Tigers travel to the Gold Coast.
The Tigers had the worst defensive record in the NRL last year when they leaked a whopping 631points.
They even conceded more points than wooden-spooners Cronulla (613 points).
While exciting youngsters Luke Brooks, Mitch Moses and James Tedesco will ensure plenty of points are scored, Taylor stressed the importance of defending their own tryline.
The early signs are good if the trials are any guide as the Tigers gave up a combined 12 points against an under-strength Parramatta, and a Cronulla side still finding its way with new recruits Ben Barba and Michael Ennis in key positions.
Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor calls for patience“I’ve been happy with what we’ve done defensively in the trials, but they were only trials, and you have to keep that in perspective,’’ Taylor told The Daily Telegraph.
“We’ve worked hard in all areas, but it is important we improve there (in defence) because the team was last when it came to defence last year.
“We must improve our defence if we’re to do anything this year.
“Any coach who takes over a new team, the first thing you look at is some of the detail of the performances, and that was an area that stood out.’’
The Tigers have often been noted for their attacking prowess, which stemmed from the free-spirited and side-stepping crowd favourite Benji Marshall.
That reputation has stuck. As Taylor said at the club’s launch, the Warriors were also still pegged as an exciting attacking team, even though former coach Ivan Cleary changed that mindset several years ago.
The cocaine scandal that has rocked the Titans, and led to five players, including representative stars Greg Bird and Dave Taylor, being stood down, means the Tigers are warm favourites.
Asked yesterday if the Titans now had a point to prove, Taylor said: “I’m sure they will, I think that will definitely be the case, and they’ll have some young guys in that team who will be excited by that opportunity to play.
“We expect a tough opposition, but it’s not about them, it’s about us as far as we’re concerned. We need to work hard at what we’ve been practising, and if we can do that for 80 minutes, we’ll be hard to beat.’’
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/titans-v-tigers-wests-coach-jason-taylor-wants-defensive-woes-to-remain-thing-of-the-past/story-fni3grk4-1227251470027
