Tuqiri's not stealing my spot: Ryan
BY TIM BARROW
11 Feb, 2010 04:00 AM
Illawarra junior Beau Ryan doesn't believe his place in the Wests Tigers team is threatened by the arrival of dual international Lote Tuqiri.
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Ryan's NRL career took giant strides last season after playing 24 games and scoring 13 tries.
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The 24-year-old admitted Tuqiri will walk straight into the Tigers line-up this year, but he backed himself to hold his position under coach Tim Sheens.
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"I'm not really threatened in that I'm not worried about him taking my position," Ryan said. "I'm confident in the preseason that I've had, that I can hold my own, but in saying that (Tuqiri will) play wherever he wants to play.
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"He's proven it in rugby union and league that he has what it takes in his position and he said he wants to play fullback or wing."
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Instead of being concerned about his playing future, Ryan believes learning from Tuqiri's experience could help him take his own game to another level.
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At an NRL One Community junior clinic at Campbelltown yesterday, the Windang resident used the example of recently retired winger Wendell Sailor helping the career of St George Illawarra star Brett Morris, who played for Australia in their end-of-season Four Nations triumph last year.
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"You only need to look at people like Brett Morris and Jason Nightingale when Sailor came to their club," he said.
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"They were consistent first graders and then sort of took their games to the next level.
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"Brett played for Australia and Jason Nightingale played for New Zealand, so even just watching some of the things (Tuqiri) he does, I think it can only be good for the outside backs like me, Taniela (Tuiaki) and (centre) Chris Lawrence. I'm excited for Lote to get here and I'll be having a word to him to help me with my own game."
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Ryan will have a head start on powerful fellow winger Tuiaki, who is still overcoming a broken ankle sustained late last year.
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He said the Tigers are focused on being quick out of the blocks this season in a bid to qualify for the NRL finals series for the first time since winning the premiership in 2005.
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"In the past we've let some games slip early in the season and then tried to make up for it," Ryan said. "This year we're more prepared to hit the ground running in our first game against Manly."
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The Tigers play trials against North Queensland in Mackay tomorrow, the Roosters on Sunday week and Sharks at Gosford on February 27, before their opening-round clash with the Sea Eagles on Monday, March 15.
Go the Beau
