NYC PREVIEW: NO TIME TO REST FOR PAYTEN'S BOYS
By Wayne Cousins
29/03/2012 6:10:08 PM
Three wins in four matches and an improving defensive structure has given Wests Tigers NYC Coach Todd Payten a reason to smile.
Wests Tigers are one of five teams sitting on 6 points but sit second on the competition ladder after the opening month of the season.
Furthermore, Wests Tigers should be sitting outright on top of the ladder after blowing a strong first half lead against Cronulla in the opening round.
Payten is too smart to know premierships are not won in March – his came in October, 2005, with Wests Tigers – but the former respected prop is very pleased with the way his young side can overcome early diversity as was the case in the 40-10 win over Canberra last Monday night.
The loss of half-back Jacob Miller to the NRL side saw Payten bring in a new half in Connor Toia who combined well with exciting five-eighth Manaia Rudolph.
“We spoke about a few things at half-time and they came out and corrected that. The boys stuck to the game plan for most part of the match,’’ Payten said.
“I was concerned about their big forward pack but that can be a strength and also a weakness if you can exploit it properly and we did that.
“I put it to our forwards that this is the week where you have got to stand up and get over the top of your opponent. They worked hard to achieve that.
“Nathan Brown was excellent. Kyle Lovett was strong again and has been very consistent. Mosese Fotuaika played strong and led from the front for the rest of the side to benefit.
“I was more pleased with their defence. I wanted them to get off their line continually and they did that and they harassed their half-back who is their main playmaker and forced a couple of errors out of them.”
This Sunday, Payten will be hoping his side can build on their good form when they tackle South Sydney at Allianz Stadium in round 5.
The Rabbitohs sit in ninth place with 2 wins from 4 matches and go into the game on the back of a 54-30 victory over Brisbane last weekend.
“It was good all-round performance but the challenge for us now is to maintain it. Monday night’s game will mean nothing if we can’t back it up this week,’’ Payten added.
“We’re now a month into the season and three wins from four matches is a good start but as a coach I’m always going to say that there is room for improvement.”
Match Day Schedule
Gates open 12.30pm
U20s Kick-off 12.45pm
NRL Kick-off 3pm