Tuqiri not ready for fullback role yet: coach

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WESTS TIGERS coach Tim Sheens is reluctant to shift Lote Tuqiri to fullback to play Parramatta on Friday night even though halfback Robert Lui will probably miss the clash.

Lui rolled his ankle in yesterday's 44-32 loss to the Roosters and Sheens conceded he was unlikely to play against the Eels. Sheens could shift fullback Tim Moltzen to halfback and Tuqiri, two games into his return to the NRL after seven years in rugby union, to fullback, which would set up a positional clash with Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne.

But Sheens said he would prefer not to rush Tuqiri's switch to No.1, even though he showed further positive signs from the wing yesterday, scoring a 60-metre try.

''It's probably a bit early for that, but I'll have to have a look at how things happen during the week with injuries,'' Sheens said. ''I'll just have to weigh up Lui's issue and whether or not he's fit enough to play.

''I don't want to do that to Lote at the moment but he wants to get involved. It's a bit different, though, when you're back there for 80 minutes. I don't think I'd go to the big fella just yet.''

More likely is the elevation of Arana Taumata or Blake Lazarus - the current halves pairing for the unbeaten Balmain NSW Cup side.

''I'm not totally out of options, rather than shake the whole thing up just yet,'' Sheens said.

Sheens is likely to have a stronger squad on hand for the club's clash with the Eels. Forward Todd Payten (calf) and winger Beau Ryan (suspension) are due to return, along with Bryce Gibbs (hamstring) and Liam Fulton (virus).

Gibbs and Fulton were ruled out of yesterday's clash just before the game. Fulton fell ill in the warm-up, prompting Sheens to play debutants Andrew Fifita and Jason Schirnack.

''We just couldn't risk playing [Fulton] in the conditions,'' Sheens said.

He was willing to cut his side some slack for conceding so many points in the heat - but not much.

''I'd like to think we're not going to put that performance together again but we've given up 44 points,'' Sheens said. ''It's not good - not for a first-grade side.''

By Glenn Jackson
[Source](http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/tuqiri-not-ready-for-fullback-role-yet-coach-20100321-qo5j.html)
 
well there ya go, of course he could change his mind by the end of the week…

Taumata or Lazarus at the back with Moltzen moving to halfback, hopefully Payten, Gibbs and Fulton will be right.

Whatever he does, when he takes Sauce off, the guy coming on actually needs to fire up, we seem to be losing far too much when Sauce comes off for a break. If Gibbs is right to play, don't take them both off at the same time.... it might help.
 
@Tigerdave said:
well there ya go, of course he could change his mind by the end of the week…

Taumata or Lazarus at the back with Moltzen moving to halfback, hopefully Payten, Gibbs and Fulton will be right.

Whatever he does, when he takes Sauce off, the guy coming on actually needs to fire up, we seem to be losing far too much when Sauce comes off for a break. If Gibbs is right to play, don't take them both off at the same time.... it might help.
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I think he means leaving Moltzen at fullback with either Lazarus or Taumata at halfback. I'm not sure why Sheens is convinced that Moltzen is a fullback.
 
@willow said:
@Tigerdave said:
well there ya go, of course he could change his mind by the end of the week…

Taumata or Lazarus at the back with Moltzen moving to halfback, hopefully Payten, Gibbs and Fulton will be right.

Whatever he does, when he takes Sauce off, the guy coming on actually needs to fire up, we seem to be losing far too much when Sauce comes off for a break. If Gibbs is right to play, don't take them both off at the same time.... it might help.

I think he means leaving Moltzen at fullback with either Lazarus or Taumata at halfback. I'm not sure why Sheens is convinced that Moltzen is a fullback.
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ahh damn, yeah he could mean that….. *sigh*... yeah I'm not sure why Sheens is convinced either, I'm having flashbacks to him being convinced Morris could be a halfback.
 
I'm becoming more and more frustrated with Sheens and his selections…...

It's not Fantasy League Tim.....

Go Lazo anyway.....cause Taumata is NOT a halfback.....
 
Let's see how long Sheens stubbornness costs us this season.

He persisted with Morris at halfback for almost three years, now its the same story with Moltzen at fullback.
 
In the Fonz we trust!!!
😱pen_mouth:

If he says he isnt ready then…...............he isnt ready!
😢

Im waiting for the press conference when he says he is!!
:wink:
 
Moltzen was shown up at fullback by Fitzhenry of all people who was, quite correctly, bagged by all and summary for his past performances at fullback. He was better positioned for kicks, returned the ball stronger and put his body on the line more than Moltzen.

Now I don't want Fitzy and the back to play the Eels but I sure as hell don't want Moltzen there either.

Sheens has said Moltzen is someone he sees as a ball runner well maybe if he ran it that would be the case
 
Nothing would please me more than seeing Blake Lazo in the #7 jersey, but that would mean Sheens would keep Moltzen at Fullback…......please no!!.

Hence I think it's time for Sheens to add , a tough , roll up the sleeves, who kicks conversions better than Benji, kind of fullback, and put in Sean Meaney....he will get the jonb done.

Blake will be our No#7 within time, but needs extra games in State Cup....there is no need to rush this WT diamond

Hence my starting 17 would look like this...

1\. Sean Meaney
2.Beau Ryan
3.Blake Ayshford
4.Chris Lawrence
5.Lote Tuquiri

6.Benji Marshall
7.Tim Moltzen

13.Chris Heighington
12.Gareth Ellis (Jason Schirnack if Ellis is ruled out)
11.Liam Fulton
10.Keith Galloway
9.Robbie Farah
8.Bryce Gibbs

14.Todd Payten
15.Junior Moors
16.Mark Flanagan
17.Andrew Fifita
 
I havent agreed with Sheens much in the past couple of seasons but I do on this one, Tuqiri is still getting used to the modern version of rugby league and he wouldn't be a wise choice for fullback at the moment.

Lui has to be punted for the time being, he isn't quite ready for the NRL level yet, which means Moltzen HAS to play halfback (where he should have been from round 1 anyway).

So, that poses the question, if you were an opposition supporter, who would you least want returning your kicks? For me it is definately Chris Lawrence… Plus his one on one defence has improved significantly and he has the speed to mop up a lot of tricky situations that players like Fitzy just wouldn't have the legs to get to...

Lawrence also gets a big tick for ability under the high ball, so chuck him the #1 jumper I reckon.

I'm not being biased but I honestly reckon he could rival Jarryd Hayne in attacking threat from the back.
 
You are right Zab…

Although I am not so keen on Lawrence at FB... I think he provides too much in the centers. Also there isn't much use moving him, when Lote will eventually replace him. For the time being... we need to move Moltz from FB...

I can't believe I am saying this... but Fitzhenry will fit the bill fine until Lote is ready imo. He reads the game well and hopefully can organise our defence alot better. Past that he runs it back harder and isn't scared.
 
A few people have suggested Taumata at fullback. He has played some football there before and is the quickest player at the Tigers…Should Sheens throw Taumata at fullback and shift Moltzen to 7? I don't see too many other fullback options at the moment given Tuqiri is still a few games away from being given the duties.
 
@willow said:
A few people have suggested Taumata at fullback. He has played some football there before and is the quickest player at the Tigers…Should Sheens throw Taumata at fullback and shift Moltzen to 7? I don't see too many other fullback options at the moment given Tuqiri is still a few games away from being given the duties.
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Decent point, and Taumata is a runner, which is apparently what Sheens wants at fullback.
 
I wouldn't be shifting Lote yet, he has started fairly well but needs more time before he is thrown in at FB. Moltzen is a very good player and should be in the halves. I agree with Z Lawrence would make a great fullback.
 
Mullaney seemed to cop a leg injury yesterday so that most likely rules him out.

Will be interesting to see what the Commander does. What are the chances of this line up been selected by Chief Sheens -

1\. Moltzen
4\. Brown
6\. Lawrence
7\. Marshall

2/1 on
 
The trouble with Taumata is i don't think he's ready for the gig at fullback yet. He was buggered after 50 odd mins on saturday afternoon and to ask him to play first grade fullback, well that borders on a harsh thing to ask of him right now. Meaney would be a chance but i get the feeling that we'll see Lazerus get the gig with Moltzen staying at the back, if of course that is assuming Lui is out.
 
moltzen is not a fullback - look at all the mistakes in 2 weeks - i say tuqiri wont do any worse than moltzen at fullback. hayne v tuqiri - bring it on.
 
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