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Wests Tigers bolstered by return of prodigal sons
December 15, 2013
Adrian Proszenko
Chief Rugby League Reporter - SMH
Not all of the Wests Tigers' recruits are new faces.
One of the most active clubs in the recruitment market, the joint-venture outfit has overhauled its roster with a view to bringing down the average age of its squad to about 23\. But with officials also mindful of the need for experience, prodigal sons Pat Richards and Dene Halatau were lured back to the den. The duo, part of the premiership-winning Tigers side of 2005, are joined by Martin Taupau (Bulldogs), Cory Paterson (Hull KR), Blake Austin (Panthers) and Keith Lulia (Bradford) in a revamped squad for next year.
The new additions have raised hopes the Tigers are ready to climb the ladder after finishing 15th in an injury-marred season.
''Getting used to the heat again is probably the hardest part but it's great to be back,'' said Richards, who enjoyed a successful eight-year stint with English glamour club Wigan. ''I have some great memories from over there but I'm not getting any younger. If I didn't come home now it's probably shut the door on coming back. The chance to come back at the Tigers was too good to refuse.''
All of the new signings have their own motivations for donning the black, white and orange. For former Bulldogs forward Taupau, it's an opportunity to cement himself as a regular first-grader.
''It's a great change, just what I needed,'' Taupau said. ''At the Bulldogs I wasn't moving so the Tigers has given me a fresh start and a great atmosphere.
''At the Dogs you've got the likes of Aiden Tolman, James Graham and Sam Kasiano. I can't get in front of them. I've learned from them and taken in everything from Jim Dymock, who worked with the forwards, and Des Hasler.
''It's a fresh start for me and hopefully my career can go up.''
Also making the move from the Bulldogs is Tigers favourite Halatau. The former New Zealand international returns to his old stamping ground to help mentor the club's rising batch of youngsters.
''When you change clubs it's like going to school on your first day,'' he said. ''You make new friends and build new relationships but, being here before, the place is pretty familiar to me. That's made it a lot easier.''
Having lost regulars including Benji Marshall, Lote Tuqiri, Blake Ayshford and Joel Reddy, the Tigers hope a new-look team will click under coach Mick Potter.
''We are looking to re-establish a bit of the culture at the club,'' Halatau said.
''Hopefully we can get an upward swing at the club. We're working really hard on the field to get some success and there are some good people at the club leading things. Hopefully we can push for the semi-finals and be a successful side.''
Wests Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer believes the club has struck the right balance with its roster management.
''In speaking to some of the new guys that have come in, there is a good mood in the place,'' Mayer said. ''You start talking to someone like Dene Halatau about the leadership things you can do here and you can't not get excited.
''We have to temper that excitement to a certain degree because this is not about a one-year fix, this is a two- or three-year program.''
December 15, 2013
Adrian Proszenko
Chief Rugby League Reporter - SMH
Not all of the Wests Tigers' recruits are new faces.
One of the most active clubs in the recruitment market, the joint-venture outfit has overhauled its roster with a view to bringing down the average age of its squad to about 23\. But with officials also mindful of the need for experience, prodigal sons Pat Richards and Dene Halatau were lured back to the den. The duo, part of the premiership-winning Tigers side of 2005, are joined by Martin Taupau (Bulldogs), Cory Paterson (Hull KR), Blake Austin (Panthers) and Keith Lulia (Bradford) in a revamped squad for next year.
The new additions have raised hopes the Tigers are ready to climb the ladder after finishing 15th in an injury-marred season.
''Getting used to the heat again is probably the hardest part but it's great to be back,'' said Richards, who enjoyed a successful eight-year stint with English glamour club Wigan. ''I have some great memories from over there but I'm not getting any younger. If I didn't come home now it's probably shut the door on coming back. The chance to come back at the Tigers was too good to refuse.''
All of the new signings have their own motivations for donning the black, white and orange. For former Bulldogs forward Taupau, it's an opportunity to cement himself as a regular first-grader.
''It's a great change, just what I needed,'' Taupau said. ''At the Bulldogs I wasn't moving so the Tigers has given me a fresh start and a great atmosphere.
''At the Dogs you've got the likes of Aiden Tolman, James Graham and Sam Kasiano. I can't get in front of them. I've learned from them and taken in everything from Jim Dymock, who worked with the forwards, and Des Hasler.
''It's a fresh start for me and hopefully my career can go up.''
Also making the move from the Bulldogs is Tigers favourite Halatau. The former New Zealand international returns to his old stamping ground to help mentor the club's rising batch of youngsters.
''When you change clubs it's like going to school on your first day,'' he said. ''You make new friends and build new relationships but, being here before, the place is pretty familiar to me. That's made it a lot easier.''
Having lost regulars including Benji Marshall, Lote Tuqiri, Blake Ayshford and Joel Reddy, the Tigers hope a new-look team will click under coach Mick Potter.
''We are looking to re-establish a bit of the culture at the club,'' Halatau said.
''Hopefully we can get an upward swing at the club. We're working really hard on the field to get some success and there are some good people at the club leading things. Hopefully we can push for the semi-finals and be a successful side.''
Wests Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer believes the club has struck the right balance with its roster management.
''In speaking to some of the new guys that have come in, there is a good mood in the place,'' Mayer said. ''You start talking to someone like Dene Halatau about the leadership things you can do here and you can't not get excited.
''We have to temper that excitement to a certain degree because this is not about a one-year fix, this is a two- or three-year program.''
