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Tigers' big men have Soward in their sights
Michael Chammas
September 24, 2010
WESTS TIGERS have a simple message for Jamie Soward: You're in for the toughest night of your career. Soward, the sometimes referred to by his critics as a human speed hump, will tomorrow night come under siege from the Tigers in the do-or-die battle at ANZ Stadium. The 25-year-old's defence has been heavily criticised since Greg Inglis disposed of him last year, but with bodyguard Beau Scott trailing his every move, Soward has rarely been exposed this season.
English second-rower Gareth Ellis, who has been dynamic down the left flank in the opening two weeks of the finals, has pledged to give Soward's defence a thorough examination tomorrow night. ''I'm sure there will be a bit of traffic going down his way,'' Ellis said.
''He's someone we want to take a bit of juice out of because he's so important to them and is a massive threat in attack. It's definitely something we'll buy into and give 100 per cent.''
Brett Kimmorley was also heavily targeted by opposition teams throughout his career. The retired halfback has thrown his support behind Soward and has labelled the criticism of his defence as unfair. ''He's been tortured because of what Inglis did to him, but good luck to anyone trying to stop Inglis from that close to the try line,'' he said.
Soward said he was constantly trying to improve that facet of his game. ''I'll always be criticised, being smaller, but I'm not supposed to be out there putting big hits on 120-kilogram blokes,'' Soward said. ''That's why we've got our own 120kg blokes.''
Michael Chammas
September 24, 2010
WESTS TIGERS have a simple message for Jamie Soward: You're in for the toughest night of your career. Soward, the sometimes referred to by his critics as a human speed hump, will tomorrow night come under siege from the Tigers in the do-or-die battle at ANZ Stadium. The 25-year-old's defence has been heavily criticised since Greg Inglis disposed of him last year, but with bodyguard Beau Scott trailing his every move, Soward has rarely been exposed this season.
English second-rower Gareth Ellis, who has been dynamic down the left flank in the opening two weeks of the finals, has pledged to give Soward's defence a thorough examination tomorrow night. ''I'm sure there will be a bit of traffic going down his way,'' Ellis said.
''He's someone we want to take a bit of juice out of because he's so important to them and is a massive threat in attack. It's definitely something we'll buy into and give 100 per cent.''
Brett Kimmorley was also heavily targeted by opposition teams throughout his career. The retired halfback has thrown his support behind Soward and has labelled the criticism of his defence as unfair. ''He's been tortured because of what Inglis did to him, but good luck to anyone trying to stop Inglis from that close to the try line,'' he said.
Soward said he was constantly trying to improve that facet of his game. ''I'll always be criticised, being smaller, but I'm not supposed to be out there putting big hits on 120-kilogram blokes,'' Soward said. ''That's why we've got our own 120kg blokes.''
