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TIM SHEENS CONFIDENT CHRIS LAWRENCE CAN SHINE AT FIVE-EIGHTH
By Wayne Cousins
Thursday 17 May 2012 2:53 PM
TIM SHEENS CONFIDENT CHRIS LAWRENCE CAN SHINE AT FIVE-EIGHTH
Wests Tigers Head Coach Tim Sheens is confident Chris Lawrence will play a key role at five-eighth against the Warriors at Leichhardt Oval on Friday night.
Sheens has named Lawrence in the six jersey, resulting in regular five-eighth Benji Marshall moving to half. The Australian Test Coach started Lawrence at five-eighth in the win over the Gold Coast Titans after originally naming him in his normal centre position.
Sheens said Lawrence had trained very well at five-eighth where he will mark up against James Maloney.
“I have got a high opinion of Chris in this position. He will run the ball and he has got a good strong defensive game,’’ Sheens said.
“Chris will get more involved and more touches which is important for us with Robbie (Farah) being out.
“Our key players touching the ball more and getting closer to the ball more is important. I’ve asked Chris to do a job and he has trained very well. I’m confident he can do it.”
The match will be the first time the two teams have clashed since last year’ semi-final when the Warriors came from behind to snatch victory at the death.
Sheens feels there won’t be much in the game and says his side will need to play very well without NSW hooker Farah.
“We still have memories of getting beaten by them last year in the semi-finals which put an end to our season so we have got a lot to play for,’’ Sheens added.
“I think we are still hurting (from that loss), particularly the nature of the last minute try that beat us given we led the whole game. We have got a lesson to learn there.
“We are going to have to play a little more consistent as our form has been patchy. We have put together three wins in our last three games and we are looking to build on that.”
Sheens confirmed the Club was not interested in re-signing former full-back Wade McKinnon after he returned to Sydney last week from a short stint in England. He also expects second-rower Chris Heighington to return from a hand injury against the Cowboys at Campbelltown Stadium next week.
By Wayne Cousins
Thursday 17 May 2012 2:53 PM
TIM SHEENS CONFIDENT CHRIS LAWRENCE CAN SHINE AT FIVE-EIGHTH
Wests Tigers Head Coach Tim Sheens is confident Chris Lawrence will play a key role at five-eighth against the Warriors at Leichhardt Oval on Friday night.
Sheens has named Lawrence in the six jersey, resulting in regular five-eighth Benji Marshall moving to half. The Australian Test Coach started Lawrence at five-eighth in the win over the Gold Coast Titans after originally naming him in his normal centre position.
Sheens said Lawrence had trained very well at five-eighth where he will mark up against James Maloney.
“I have got a high opinion of Chris in this position. He will run the ball and he has got a good strong defensive game,’’ Sheens said.
“Chris will get more involved and more touches which is important for us with Robbie (Farah) being out.
“Our key players touching the ball more and getting closer to the ball more is important. I’ve asked Chris to do a job and he has trained very well. I’m confident he can do it.”
The match will be the first time the two teams have clashed since last year’ semi-final when the Warriors came from behind to snatch victory at the death.
Sheens feels there won’t be much in the game and says his side will need to play very well without NSW hooker Farah.
“We still have memories of getting beaten by them last year in the semi-finals which put an end to our season so we have got a lot to play for,’’ Sheens added.
“I think we are still hurting (from that loss), particularly the nature of the last minute try that beat us given we led the whole game. We have got a lesson to learn there.
“We are going to have to play a little more consistent as our form has been patchy. We have put together three wins in our last three games and we are looking to build on that.”
Sheens confirmed the Club was not interested in re-signing former full-back Wade McKinnon after he returned to Sydney last week from a short stint in England. He also expects second-rower Chris Heighington to return from a hand injury against the Cowboys at Campbelltown Stadium next week.
