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Tigers are better than 2005 premiers
* By David Riccio
* From: The Sunday Telegraph
* July 04, 2010 12:01AM
THEY have been overlooked by State of Origin selectors and dismissed by bookmakers.
But back-rower Chris Heighington has fired a warning to all Wests Tigers critics by declaring this year's team better than the 2005 premiers.
The Wests Tigers cemented third position on the NRL ladder with a come-from-behind 16-14 win over the Broncos on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.
It might have been an ugly game - the Tigers waited until the 78th minute before snatching the valuable two points - but it proved they have the mettle to hang in there when it's tough.
"We had to fight our way back into the game and ended up coming away with a pretty solid win," Heighington told The Sunday Telegraph.
"That's what sometimes you have got to do. You can't always be fancy."
But despite their gritty win, the Wests Tigers remain $13 outsiders with TAB Sportsbet for the premiership.
Amazingly, the struggling Eels are rated $9 chances behind competition favourites the Dragons ($2.75).
Heighington said the Tigers cared little about what their knockers thought and instead showered the squad in rare praise.
The talented back-rower was just 23 when the Tigers produced a fairytale march to the premiership in 2005, beating the Cowboys in the decider.
After their ninth win of the season on Friday night, the Wests Tigers workhorse pointed to the wealth of talent and experience in the squad as the reason this year's team would overshadow the 2005 squad.
"All I can say is that we've probably got a better squad than what we did back then," Heighington said.
"I don't think we have a weak link in our team.
"We've got a really good future as well, with a lot of young fellas like Junior Moors and Andrew Fifita and Simon Dwyer who are coming on for us and doing a good job.
"And I think if you've got a really good interchange, you've got a pretty good chance in this competition.
"Over the years we haven't had that bench … that real good impact.
"But at the moment those young fellas are really doing a good job.
"And I think as you saw on Friday night [compared to five years ago] that extra first-grade experience is showing on the field.
"We're definitely a much more experienced team."
Former Balmain legend Steve Roach supported the claims by Heighington that the Tigers aren't getting the respect they deserve.
"When you've got blokes like [Robbie] Farah and Benji Marshall and the scores close enough, then you're always a chance of winning," Roach said. "They've got a world class player in the back row with [Gareth] Ellis, too, and you only need to get a bit of a sniff and you saw the ride they went on in 2005."
Roach showed his belief in the Tigers by suggesting they were the team that could trouble premiership heavyweights St George Illawarra.
"I think the Tigers, with their brand of football, are one of the only sides in the comp that worries St George," Roach said.
"All they need is the ball to stick and a bit of luck. I mean, last week [against the Dragons] they were in that game for 60 minutes.
"I think everyone in the competition will be worried about them. They're that style of side."
* By David Riccio
* From: The Sunday Telegraph
* July 04, 2010 12:01AM
THEY have been overlooked by State of Origin selectors and dismissed by bookmakers.
But back-rower Chris Heighington has fired a warning to all Wests Tigers critics by declaring this year's team better than the 2005 premiers.
The Wests Tigers cemented third position on the NRL ladder with a come-from-behind 16-14 win over the Broncos on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.
It might have been an ugly game - the Tigers waited until the 78th minute before snatching the valuable two points - but it proved they have the mettle to hang in there when it's tough.
"We had to fight our way back into the game and ended up coming away with a pretty solid win," Heighington told The Sunday Telegraph.
"That's what sometimes you have got to do. You can't always be fancy."
But despite their gritty win, the Wests Tigers remain $13 outsiders with TAB Sportsbet for the premiership.
Amazingly, the struggling Eels are rated $9 chances behind competition favourites the Dragons ($2.75).
Heighington said the Tigers cared little about what their knockers thought and instead showered the squad in rare praise.
The talented back-rower was just 23 when the Tigers produced a fairytale march to the premiership in 2005, beating the Cowboys in the decider.
After their ninth win of the season on Friday night, the Wests Tigers workhorse pointed to the wealth of talent and experience in the squad as the reason this year's team would overshadow the 2005 squad.
"All I can say is that we've probably got a better squad than what we did back then," Heighington said.
"I don't think we have a weak link in our team.
"We've got a really good future as well, with a lot of young fellas like Junior Moors and Andrew Fifita and Simon Dwyer who are coming on for us and doing a good job.
"And I think if you've got a really good interchange, you've got a pretty good chance in this competition.
"Over the years we haven't had that bench … that real good impact.
"But at the moment those young fellas are really doing a good job.
"And I think as you saw on Friday night [compared to five years ago] that extra first-grade experience is showing on the field.
"We're definitely a much more experienced team."
Former Balmain legend Steve Roach supported the claims by Heighington that the Tigers aren't getting the respect they deserve.
"When you've got blokes like [Robbie] Farah and Benji Marshall and the scores close enough, then you're always a chance of winning," Roach said. "They've got a world class player in the back row with [Gareth] Ellis, too, and you only need to get a bit of a sniff and you saw the ride they went on in 2005."
Roach showed his belief in the Tigers by suggesting they were the team that could trouble premiership heavyweights St George Illawarra.
"I think the Tigers, with their brand of football, are one of the only sides in the comp that worries St George," Roach said.
"All they need is the ball to stick and a bit of luck. I mean, last week [against the Dragons] they were in that game for 60 minutes.
"I think everyone in the competition will be worried about them. They're that style of side."
