tony soprano
Well-known member
Seeing any kick Laurie has done prob stops the thought of Laurie in the halves.
Team for the Broncos
- Thread starter tigersfan
- Start date
Seeing any kick Laurie has done prob stops the thought of Laurie in the halves.
tony soprano
Well-known member
Dam, thought he was going to hook Brooks to keep fans happy
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
‘Don’t need to defend Brooksy’: Sheens stays loyal, Bateman cleared
Tigers coach Tim Sheens has no appetite to give Luke Brooks a stint in NSW Cup, while John Bateman has been cleared of a broken rib and will play on Saturday.
Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has no appetite to give Luke Brooks a stint in NSW Cup and will retain the club’s only million-dollar player in the halves for Saturday’s trip to Brisbane.
John Bateman skipped training on Tuesday with a rib injury but will also feature against the unbeaten Broncos.
Brooks looked frustrated against Melbourne last Friday, but Sheens has been one of his biggest supporters, and said the best decision for the Tigers right now was to persevere with Brooks and Brandon Wakeham in the halves and Adam Doueihi in the No.1.
“I don’t need to defend ‘Brooksy’, he doesn’t need me to defend him, he’s a tough kid, [the criticism] would get to anyone, but every training session he turns up with a smile,” Sheens told the Herald on Tuesday.
“They [Brooks and Wakeham] have got the left- and right-footed kicking game, they play well on the left and right edge of the ruck, and with Adam at No.1, that allows him to pick his run, be it left or right. There’s no better [fullback] at the club.
“We need to make it work, and the only way to make it work is to give them time.”
Daine Laurie is expected to spend the weekend in reserve grade to improve his fitness, with Jake Simpkins to return from concussion on the bench.
Brooks is seen by many as a better five-eighth option, but Sheens concedes the local junior has essentially been playing as a second receiver, despite wearing the No.7. The coach did not want to get drawn into the spotlight being forever fixed on Brooks, but did ask where was the praise when he scored a long-range try and set up another in a matter of minutes against the Bulldogs a couple of weeks ago.
Bateman suffered a rib injury in the first half against the Storm and needed a painkilling injection at half-time.
Sheens, however, said the Englishman – who has already won over the long-suffering fans with his passion and physicality – would line up against the Broncos.
“He’s had a knock to the ribs in the last game, he’s been cleared of a broken rib, but he certainly did some damage,” Sheens said.
“He’ll play Saturday. We rested him today, but he’ll train Thursday when we have a big captain’s run.”
Meanwhile, dumped winger David Nofoaluma will be sidelined for a few weeks after suffering ligament damage and a small fracture in his right foot.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Looks like only change will be Jake Simpkin in for Daine Laurie.
Jolls
Well-known member
Appears that way sadly.
ElleryHanley
Well-known member
Looks that way...
I am guessing someone will cop it for the scrum loss...Seyfarth was on the side the ball was, so Sheens will prob just switch him and Joe.
The team desperately needs a ballplayer at 13 to help the woeful spine.
Pole and Twal can't do that. Both should be bench props and nothing more.
Matamura should come in.
But Sheens is nothing if not stubborn...
Tiger_Fanatic3
Well-known member
If anyone, Bateman can do it.
Harvey
Well-known member
I was thinking an average team and garbage bench. I was right
