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Aladinsane
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**Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens posts Lote Tuqiri a 'cheat-sheet' on returning to the NRL**
By Tyson Otto From: The Daily Telegraph February 17, 2010 12:00AM
TIM Sheens has posted Lote Tuqiri a "return to rugby league" pack in a bid to have the dual international ready to pull on a Wests Tigers jersey the moment he arrives home.
The pack includes a DVD of Tigers games from 2009, information on the team's playing style and the role Tuqiri will play. Tuqiri, 30, is playing rugby with Leicester in England and has not played rugby league since he left the Broncos for the Waratahs at the end of the 2001 season.
"We're trying to bring him up to speed while he's overseas," Tigers coach Sheens said at the Foundations Cup launch yesterday. "He's still got his rugby to consider - but we are giving him a little bit of information to try to get him mentally prepared for what we do."
The outside back utility is contracted with Leicester to the end of March but Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys is negotiating with his Leicester counterpart to secure an early release that would allow the Queensland State of Origin star to be ready for the Tigers round one clash with Manly on March 15.
"They have a game on March 28 so I would expect Lote to be on a plane the day after that - if there is any agreement on an earlier one … that would be a big bonus," Humphreys said. However, if the negotiations fail, Tuqiri will be lining up for the Tigers in round five.
Captain Robbie Farah said it wouldn't take long for someone as experienced as Tuqiri to be ready for first grade football.
"I know they're working hard on getting him for round one; even if he does get here before round one, it'll only be a few days - so whether he plays [in the first round] or not, I'm not too sure," Farah said.
"It depends on what position Tim wants him to play. If he's going to play on the wing, it won't take too long because he's just got to stand there and score some tries for us. I know Tim's pretty keen to see him at fullback - that will take a lot longer than being on the wing.
"Initially, I think you'll see him on the wing [but] however long it takes him to fit in is probably when you're going to see him get a chance at fullback. He's a player that we're going to want to get his hands on the ball as much as we can. If that means playing him at fullback, the more times Lote touches the ball the more dangerous we're going to be."
Utility Tim Moltzen will play fullback in the meantime, giving exciting 19-year-old Robert Lui a chance at halfback.
By Tyson Otto From: The Daily Telegraph February 17, 2010 12:00AM
TIM Sheens has posted Lote Tuqiri a "return to rugby league" pack in a bid to have the dual international ready to pull on a Wests Tigers jersey the moment he arrives home.
The pack includes a DVD of Tigers games from 2009, information on the team's playing style and the role Tuqiri will play. Tuqiri, 30, is playing rugby with Leicester in England and has not played rugby league since he left the Broncos for the Waratahs at the end of the 2001 season.
"We're trying to bring him up to speed while he's overseas," Tigers coach Sheens said at the Foundations Cup launch yesterday. "He's still got his rugby to consider - but we are giving him a little bit of information to try to get him mentally prepared for what we do."
The outside back utility is contracted with Leicester to the end of March but Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys is negotiating with his Leicester counterpart to secure an early release that would allow the Queensland State of Origin star to be ready for the Tigers round one clash with Manly on March 15.
"They have a game on March 28 so I would expect Lote to be on a plane the day after that - if there is any agreement on an earlier one … that would be a big bonus," Humphreys said. However, if the negotiations fail, Tuqiri will be lining up for the Tigers in round five.
Captain Robbie Farah said it wouldn't take long for someone as experienced as Tuqiri to be ready for first grade football.
"I know they're working hard on getting him for round one; even if he does get here before round one, it'll only be a few days - so whether he plays [in the first round] or not, I'm not too sure," Farah said.
"It depends on what position Tim wants him to play. If he's going to play on the wing, it won't take too long because he's just got to stand there and score some tries for us. I know Tim's pretty keen to see him at fullback - that will take a lot longer than being on the wing.
"Initially, I think you'll see him on the wing [but] however long it takes him to fit in is probably when you're going to see him get a chance at fullback. He's a player that we're going to want to get his hands on the ball as much as we can. If that means playing him at fullback, the more times Lote touches the ball the more dangerous we're going to be."
Utility Tim Moltzen will play fullback in the meantime, giving exciting 19-year-old Robert Lui a chance at halfback.
G
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@AJ* said:
Yeah the big fella is off contract. The injury is a terrible setback and I can only imagine how frustrated Tuiaki would be about it. While I'd love to see him out on the field trampling players, the last thing i want to see is Tuiaki rushing back only to injure himself again.
Tigers_2010
New member
Bad break (mind the pun) for TNT. If he had a gun season he would have been expecting big offers from rugby for 2011 and beyond. On the bright side, something like this happening in a contract renewal season might give the Tigers the edge in signing him for the longer term at a decent price.
@Aladinsane said:
Would almost Kill for a copy.
G
Guest
Guest
Leicester consider Tigers' call for early Lote Tuqiri release
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February 17, 2010
Leicester are considering Wests Tigers' request to release dual international Lote Tuqiri in time for round one of the NRL.
Wests Tigers have asked the English rugby union club to bring an early end to Tuqiri's contract, which expires at the end of March even though the northern hemisphere season runs until the end of May.
A spokesman for Leicester Tigers said no decision had been reached, but confirmed the clubs were in talks about the possibility of an early release.
“There's a lot of balls in the air,” the spokesman said.
“There's been no decision from either side.”
Leicester are out of Europe's Heineken Cup and the Anglo-Welsh LV Cup competition, leaving only the English premiership where they are top of the table.
That means they have only two fixtures in March falling within Tuqiri's contract period, against London Irish on March 6 and Worcester Warriors on March 27.
Should Tuqiri be released after the first of those games, it would be a tough ask to leave England and join his new club in time to face Manly on March 15.
Wests Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys said this week the best case scenario would have the 30-year-old return just prior to round one.
He said: “Whether that means he would be ready to play round one or not's up to the coach”.
AAP
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February 17, 2010
Leicester are considering Wests Tigers' request to release dual international Lote Tuqiri in time for round one of the NRL.
Wests Tigers have asked the English rugby union club to bring an early end to Tuqiri's contract, which expires at the end of March even though the northern hemisphere season runs until the end of May.
A spokesman for Leicester Tigers said no decision had been reached, but confirmed the clubs were in talks about the possibility of an early release.
“There's a lot of balls in the air,” the spokesman said.
“There's been no decision from either side.”
Leicester are out of Europe's Heineken Cup and the Anglo-Welsh LV Cup competition, leaving only the English premiership where they are top of the table.
That means they have only two fixtures in March falling within Tuqiri's contract period, against London Irish on March 6 and Worcester Warriors on March 27.
Should Tuqiri be released after the first of those games, it would be a tough ask to leave England and join his new club in time to face Manly on March 15.
Wests Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys said this week the best case scenario would have the 30-year-old return just prior to round one.
He said: “Whether that means he would be ready to play round one or not's up to the coach”.
AAP
Aladinsane
New member
The puzzle is starting to fall into place , on how the Wests Tigers team will look, once Lote has settled back in Australia and become familiar with the Wests Tigers style of play.
By all the articles that have been floating around..( Cuzzo is doing a great job , with keeping the WT in the papers…hence making sponsors happy) , this IMO, is the way it's going to pan out.....
Starting from a RLW Tony Adams article back in Sept 2, Tim Sheens was quoted saying "Playing fullback is something we can offer Lote that other parties can't".....Hence Sheens has lured Tuqiri by saying to him that he will eventually play fullback.
Sheens has stated that he wants Moltzen to play halfback, but in today paper, Benji is really pushing Lui's cart for halfback...I think Benji is going to get his way, because I heard too many wispers that Lui has blown Camp Concord minds apart , on how he has trained in the off season...he is, this year's Moltzen.
We all know that the WT spin doctors will have TnT coming back every week for the next 20 weeks or so, but we all know deep down poor Taniela the Tank will stuggle to get back in a jumper this season....Hence, a winger is needed.
Heighington has shown in the last couple of seasons that he cannot break a line, hence Sheens showing his hand in the Foundation Cup team to make him a tackling Lock machine cleaning up the ruck, and slotting in the bigger and improved Fulton model as the x Factor second row.
With Tuqiri at Fullback, and with Lui(if Benji is right) surprising everyone and holding down the halfback spot this year...the question arises what to do with Timmy....No 3 spot is calling with speedy Ayshford being pushed to the wing.
Hence, this is what the team will look like , IMO, come round 4 or 5....
\
\
1 Lote Tuqiri
2 Blake Ayshford
3 Tim Moltzen
4 Chris Lawrence
5 Beau Ryan
6 Benji Marshall
7 Robert Lui
8 Keith Galloway
9 Robbie Farah ©
10 Bryce Giibs
11 Gareth Ellis
12 Liam Fulton
13 Chris Heighington
14 Jason Cayless
15 Junior Moors
16 Todd Payten
17 Alan Schirnack......and yes I think Sheens is going for 4 forwards on the interchange bench this year, but I wouldn't be surprised to see his teacher's pet Fitzy on there
By all the articles that have been floating around..( Cuzzo is doing a great job , with keeping the WT in the papers…hence making sponsors happy) , this IMO, is the way it's going to pan out.....
Starting from a RLW Tony Adams article back in Sept 2, Tim Sheens was quoted saying "Playing fullback is something we can offer Lote that other parties can't".....Hence Sheens has lured Tuqiri by saying to him that he will eventually play fullback.
Sheens has stated that he wants Moltzen to play halfback, but in today paper, Benji is really pushing Lui's cart for halfback...I think Benji is going to get his way, because I heard too many wispers that Lui has blown Camp Concord minds apart , on how he has trained in the off season...he is, this year's Moltzen.
We all know that the WT spin doctors will have TnT coming back every week for the next 20 weeks or so, but we all know deep down poor Taniela the Tank will stuggle to get back in a jumper this season....Hence, a winger is needed.
Heighington has shown in the last couple of seasons that he cannot break a line, hence Sheens showing his hand in the Foundation Cup team to make him a tackling Lock machine cleaning up the ruck, and slotting in the bigger and improved Fulton model as the x Factor second row.
With Tuqiri at Fullback, and with Lui(if Benji is right) surprising everyone and holding down the halfback spot this year...the question arises what to do with Timmy....No 3 spot is calling with speedy Ayshford being pushed to the wing.
Hence, this is what the team will look like , IMO, come round 4 or 5....
\
\
1 Lote Tuqiri
2 Blake Ayshford
3 Tim Moltzen
4 Chris Lawrence
5 Beau Ryan
6 Benji Marshall
7 Robert Lui
8 Keith Galloway
9 Robbie Farah ©
10 Bryce Giibs
11 Gareth Ellis
12 Liam Fulton
13 Chris Heighington
14 Jason Cayless
15 Junior Moors
16 Todd Payten
17 Alan Schirnack......and yes I think Sheens is going for 4 forwards on the interchange bench this year, but I wouldn't be surprised to see his teacher's pet Fitzy on there
Tigers_2010
New member
With Tuqiri at Fullback, and with Lui(if Benji is right) surprising everyone and holding down the halfback spot this year…the question arises what to do with Timmy....No 3 spot is calling with speedy Ayshford being pushed to the wing.
Hence, this is what the team will look like , IMO, come round 4 or 5....
\
\
1 Lote Tuqiri
2 Blake Ayshford
3 Tim Moltzen
4 Chris Lawrence
5 Beau Ryan
6 Benji Marshall
7 Robert Lui
8 Keith Galloway
9 Robbie Farah ©
10 Bryce Giibs
11 Gareth Ellis
12 Liam Fulton
13 Chris Heighington
14 Jason Cayless
15 Junior Moors
16 Todd Payten
17 Alan Schirnack......and yes I think Sheens is going for 4 forwards on the interchange bench this year, but I wouldn't be surprised to see his teacher's pet Fitzy on there
It doesnt make any sense to play to two guys completely out of position. Pushing Moltzen to centre just to keep him in FG will not be done. Tuqiri will play on the wing longer than people think with Moltz at the back and Lui/ Arana at half.
Hence, this is what the team will look like , IMO, come round 4 or 5....
\
\
1 Lote Tuqiri
2 Blake Ayshford
3 Tim Moltzen
4 Chris Lawrence
5 Beau Ryan
6 Benji Marshall
7 Robert Lui
8 Keith Galloway
9 Robbie Farah ©
10 Bryce Giibs
11 Gareth Ellis
12 Liam Fulton
13 Chris Heighington
14 Jason Cayless
15 Junior Moors
16 Todd Payten
17 Alan Schirnack......and yes I think Sheens is going for 4 forwards on the interchange bench this year, but I wouldn't be surprised to see his teacher's pet Fitzy on there
It doesnt make any sense to play to two guys completely out of position. Pushing Moltzen to centre just to keep him in FG will not be done. Tuqiri will play on the wing longer than people think with Moltz at the back and Lui/ Arana at half.
BrissieTiger67
Well-known member
Yeh i think thats how it will turn eventually but i also agree with tiger2010, that Lote will be on the wing for a while when he gets here even till round 8 or something. Its a position he hasn't played before so i hope he doesn't get rushed in to it cos then we will lose games and look so embarressing. Last year sheens was still shuffling players around so much it was really frustrating. I just hope that Sheens is right this time about Lote being a fullback because for so long last year while we were losing Sheens was saying "BENJI IS A HALFBACK".
fulleightyminutes
New member
I'm not sure about Ayshford on the wing. I think he is a terrific talent, a good defender and (once he warmed up) seemed to be able to get a ball away but I thought as a winger he was a stopgap for the last game. I want him in the team but as a winger he hasn't got the pace.
IronTiger
Active member
The key to 2005 was maintaining an injury free squad and the same team each week. When he arrives TT will begin on the wing with TIm at FB and Robbie at 7, there just is'nt any other players or sensible combos. I think Beau Ryen will start onthe wing until TT arrives but esseintally that will be the layout IF we are winning and winning well.
Sheen's has said that he wants a more professional team and just scraping through games will not be enough so even this may mean changes. My ideal 2010 17:
1 Tim Moltzen
2 Lote Tuquiri
3 Blake Ayshford
4 Chris Lawrence
5 Beau Ryan/TNT ideally but lets be honest withour selves we will be licky to see him in 2010.
6 Benji Marshall
7 Robert Lui
8 Keith Galloway
9 Robbie Farah ©
10 Bryce Giibs
11 Gareth Ellis
12 Chris Heighington
13 Liam Fulton
14 Jason Cayless
15 Todd Payten
16 Andrew Fifita/Junior Moors
17 Daniel Fitzhenry/Mark Flanagan
The bench is the hardest to pick so it just depends on the opposition i think
Sheen's has said that he wants a more professional team and just scraping through games will not be enough so even this may mean changes. My ideal 2010 17:
1 Tim Moltzen
2 Lote Tuquiri
3 Blake Ayshford
4 Chris Lawrence
5 Beau Ryan/TNT ideally but lets be honest withour selves we will be licky to see him in 2010.
6 Benji Marshall
7 Robert Lui
8 Keith Galloway
9 Robbie Farah ©
10 Bryce Giibs
11 Gareth Ellis
12 Chris Heighington
13 Liam Fulton
14 Jason Cayless
15 Todd Payten
16 Andrew Fifita/Junior Moors
17 Daniel Fitzhenry/Mark Flanagan
The bench is the hardest to pick so it just depends on the opposition i think
G
Guest
Guest
@fulleightyminutes said:
Agree. I can't see Ayshford moving to the wing unless the wingers are injured during the match such as the Eels game last year.
With Tuiaki out for an extended period, I think it's even more important to keep Lote on the wing when he arrives. If Lui struggles at half then by all means Moltzen should be put there with Lote moving to fullback, then either Pritchard or Brown could be promoted to the wing.
I'm unsure about Fulton walking back into the starting pack. I hope he's not used as a battering ram because he'll just get smashed.
Nah, I'd be putting Lawrence on the wing before Ayshford.
Lote has to play wing straight up. Then we just have to wait and see. If Lui plays well, he holds his spot. If Moltzen plays well at fullback, he holds his spot. Leaving Tuquiri on the wing.
Again I just can't see the point of playing Tuquiri in the 1 if Moltzen is doing fine. Don't forget we have Mullaney pushing for a start in 2011\. I'd hate to see both Mullaney and Moltzen miss out to accomodate Tuquiri at fullback. Either way one or more of these players is likely going to be forced to look for an opportunity at another club - Lui, Moltzen, Mullaney and Taumata. Thats alot of talent to sort through.
Lote has to play wing straight up. Then we just have to wait and see. If Lui plays well, he holds his spot. If Moltzen plays well at fullback, he holds his spot. Leaving Tuquiri on the wing.
Again I just can't see the point of playing Tuquiri in the 1 if Moltzen is doing fine. Don't forget we have Mullaney pushing for a start in 2011\. I'd hate to see both Mullaney and Moltzen miss out to accomodate Tuquiri at fullback. Either way one or more of these players is likely going to be forced to look for an opportunity at another club - Lui, Moltzen, Mullaney and Taumata. Thats alot of talent to sort through.
AndTheKungFoSing
New member
Personally I think this side will be… (expecting Tuquiri is ready for round 1...)
1\. Tuquiri
2\. Brown (Tuiaki when he's back)
3\. Lawrence
4\. Ayshford
5\. Ryan (Brown when Tuiaki is back)
6\. Marshall
7\. Moltzen
8\. Galloway
9\. Farah
10\. Gibbs
11\. Ellis
12\. Payten
13\. Heignington
14\. Moors
15\. Fulton
16\. Cayless
17\. A. Fafita / Shirnack
Fulton will provide enough cover to allow a reshuffle in the backline, and cover the second row and lock positions. GREAT utility value. Lote will play fullback, he was brought for the position... Mullaney and Lui will spend another year but will get expirience this year through injuries.
1\. Tuquiri
2\. Brown (Tuiaki when he's back)
3\. Lawrence
4\. Ayshford
5\. Ryan (Brown when Tuiaki is back)
6\. Marshall
7\. Moltzen
8\. Galloway
9\. Farah
10\. Gibbs
11\. Ellis
12\. Payten
13\. Heignington
14\. Moors
15\. Fulton
16\. Cayless
17\. A. Fafita / Shirnack
Fulton will provide enough cover to allow a reshuffle in the backline, and cover the second row and lock positions. GREAT utility value. Lote will play fullback, he was brought for the position... Mullaney and Lui will spend another year but will get expirience this year through injuries.
You guys got it all wrong
1\. Tuquiri
2\. Brown
3\. Lawrence
4\. Moltzen
5\. Ryan (Tuiaki when back)
6\. Marshall
7\. Lui / Tuamata
8\. Galloway
9\. Farah
10\. Cayless
11\. Ellis
12\. Heignington
13\. Fulton
14\. Moors
15\. Payten
16\. Gibbs
17\. A. Fafita / Shirnack
Fowards only on the Bench as Fulton can play in backs if req.
Missies out Ayshford
1\. Tuquiri
2\. Brown
3\. Lawrence
4\. Moltzen
5\. Ryan (Tuiaki when back)
6\. Marshall
7\. Lui / Tuamata
8\. Galloway
9\. Farah
10\. Cayless
11\. Ellis
12\. Heignington
13\. Fulton
14\. Moors
15\. Payten
16\. Gibbs
17\. A. Fafita / Shirnack
Fowards only on the Bench as Fulton can play in backs if req.
Missies out Ayshford
What are you guys thinking?
They call him Shifty, but in all his years at the Tigers I can't recall a single bluff by Sheens when it comes to his lineups.
The amount of times we've seen lineups listed to have everybody posting that won't be the run out side, Sheens has something up his sleeve, etc… and nope, they run out as listed (bar last minute injuries).
Tim has shown his cards. For the opening rounds, he's going to give Lui an opportunity at 7, Moltzen at fullback and when Tuquiri arrives, he'll start on the wing. With Lawrence and Ayshford fit they'll be the centres. Theres no deception. One wing spot open is about it. From there he'll look at them week by week. Thankfully he seems alot more open minded about changes this season, but thats how they'll start.
Tuquiri wont play round 1 unless he's here atleast 2 weeks before that game imo. Thats one thing Sheens has been adamant about. Tuquiri wont walk into the side. Certainly not at fullback in round 1.
They call him Shifty, but in all his years at the Tigers I can't recall a single bluff by Sheens when it comes to his lineups.
The amount of times we've seen lineups listed to have everybody posting that won't be the run out side, Sheens has something up his sleeve, etc… and nope, they run out as listed (bar last minute injuries).
Tim has shown his cards. For the opening rounds, he's going to give Lui an opportunity at 7, Moltzen at fullback and when Tuquiri arrives, he'll start on the wing. With Lawrence and Ayshford fit they'll be the centres. Theres no deception. One wing spot open is about it. From there he'll look at them week by week. Thankfully he seems alot more open minded about changes this season, but thats how they'll start.
Tuquiri wont play round 1 unless he's here atleast 2 weeks before that game imo. Thats one thing Sheens has been adamant about. Tuquiri wont walk into the side. Certainly not at fullback in round 1.
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