Tiger Heighington ready for comeback

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Tiger Heighington ready for comeback
Joe Barton
May 19, 2012 - 1:14PM

AAP

Injured Wests Tigers back-rower Chris Heighington will definitely be fit to face North Queensland next week, but he admits he'll be fighting to reclaim his spot in the NRL starting side.

The England international has been sidelined with a hand injury since their round six loss to Brisbane, but says fitness will not be an issue for next Sunday's clash against the Cowboys at Campbelltown after undergoing a mini pre-season fitness regime for the past six weeks.

Of greater concern for Heighington is the impressive form of Matt Bell who has been brilliant since moving into the starting pack and is averaging 43 tackles a match when starting at lock, Heighington's preferred position, while the Tigers have embarked on a four-match winning streak.

"I don't know what role I'll have. I'll have to sit down with the coach (Tim Sheens) and wait and see," Heighington told AAP.

"But obviously everyone's playing pretty well so I'll be fighting for my spot.

"If I get the opportunity to start or come off the bench I'll do my best, but tonight they played really well and we'll just have to wait and see."

The 29-year-old felt he was fit to face the Warriors at Leichhardt Oval on Friday night, but after Heighington saw a specialist on Thursday the coaching staff decided it was sensible to hold him back for another week and allow him to get more strength back in his hand.

"I'm ready to go, I was ready to play (against the Warriors) to be honest," Heighington said.

"The last six weeks have been like a mini pre-season.

"Obviously because it's a hand injury I can do a lot of running. I've got a lot of Ks in the legs and I'm feeling really fit. I'm beating all my previous times.

"I'm feeling really fit and I've ripped into the weights as well the last couple of weeks after the hand healed.

"I've got to get some strength back in it but I'm definitely playing next week."
 
Great to see Chris has recovered, but I pose the question to you all - do you think Sheens will automatically put him back in the starting side? Bell has been going gangbusters at lock and I, for one, would like to see him stay there. So, where would everyone have Heighno now he's fit again? Any thoughts?
 
We know Sheens won;t pick Moors unless he has to so with Utai on the bench as the spare back Heigho can be the 3rd forward on the bench.
& on the current form of Bell, Cashman and BMM, and Heigho's form before he was injured and late last year he should be the one dropped for Gareth when he's fit.
 
I'd like to see what he can do off the bench as he hasn't set the world on fire in the starting side. Maybe he could be reinvented as an impact forward?
 
bells defence is alot better then heighingtons however he really hasnt offered much in attack

dont think bell can be dropped though as our ruck defence has improved ten fold since bells come in
 
@fergiefurr said:
bells defence is alot better then heighingtons however he really hasnt offered much in attack

dont think bell can be dropped though as our ruck defence has improved ten fold since bells come in
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It's a contrast between the two. Bell is averaging 43 tackles a game and missing 1 or 2\. Not doing much in the way if hitups, which is where Heighno excels as he will make a lot. But to be honest I like that Bell and Fulton keep the defence around the ruck so tight. Woods and Galloway are both playing big minutes and making lots of metres, so I haven't missed Heighno's hitups really.

He should be coming off the bench, let Bell do the dirty defence in the middle for 25 minutes, then come on and go his hardest in attack and defence and bring Bell back on for the last 20 minutes to keep the defence tight.
 
I remember Heighno being so effective off the bench early in his career. Maybe well suited for him now. Bell definitely deserves to stay at lock.
 
Might do a lot of hit ups but never gets over the advantage line, just a shimmy and gets dominated.
His support play and work rate are always good though.
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@Brisbane Tiger said:
Might do a lot of hit ups but never gets over the advantage line, just a shimmy and gets dominated.
His support play and work rate are always good though.
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Absolutely. He's pretty much the most ineffective ball runner in the NRL. His 'hit ups' are just a waste of time and he NEVER bends the line.

Bell doesn't offer a lot of offense either, but his defense is much better than Heighno's.
 
While Bell is performing Heino off the bench..IMO thats where he should be anyway,Bell certainly has earnt his starting spot and should be rewarded.
 
It will give a true indication of Sheens mindset at the moment. If he is picked in the starting line up, he has officially lost it for mine
 
Reality = we lack impact whenever Heigno and Liam are in the same side.

They should NEVER be in the same 17…......and Liam is the better player, so he's the one who should be picked.

Heighno off the bench would be an absolute waste of a spot.

Big Ben is out for a while though, so Heighno is 100% certain to be named.
 
i'd like to see him start off the bench. based on his form before he got injured, he's got some work to do to force Bell and Fulton out.
 
Bell has been a real suprise for mine and deserves to keep a spot in the 17\. I do like the sound of Heighno beating all his previous times. A fully fit Heighnington gets through alot of work and lets not forget 2010, I think that was the year he was playing out of his skin. Would love to see that form again. I don't think many would argue that Bell is a better player.

I like the sound of Heighno off the bench this week.
 
Noooooooo. Honestly I think since he has been out our forwards have looked like a unit where everyone knows their job and I like that very much! Also heighnos attack is just annoying these days.
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