Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens is poised to shift Tim Moltzen

[tigersrule4life]

WESTS Tigers coach Tim Sheens is poised to abandon his plan to convert Tim Moltzen into a No. 7, with the controversial flyer to be shifted to fullback tomorrow night.

Rookie half Jacob Miller will be promoted to partner Benji Marshall, with Moltzen returning to fullback at the expense of Tom Humble for the game against Canberra at Campbelltown Stadium.

The move comes after the one-time premiership favourites were thumped 36-12 by the Dragons last week, sending them to 15th on the ladder after three rounds.

The Tigers went to war with the Dragons last year to keep Moltzen after parting ways with Robert Lui.

After agreeing to terms with St George Illawarra, Moltzen controversially backed out of the deal.

The Tigers declared Moltzen the club's long-term halfback, but they have been forced to shift him to No. 1.

In his three games at halfback this year, Moltzen has managed just five runs per game for an average of 36m. He has also made five errors and missed seven tackles in the front line.
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The late switch will see 19-year-old Miller return to the side after playing four NRL matches last year.

Miller was told of his call-up by Sheens before Tigers training on Tuesday.

Moltzen was a revelation at fullback for the Tigers last year and will have no problems slotting back into the role.

Sheens announced in January that he wanted Moltzen in a major playmaking role and it is unclear if he will return to the halves this year.

"He was a halfback when he first arrived here and I'm confident his combination with Benji can continue to develop," Sheens said when he first mooted the switch.

"I have spoken to Tim about it and he's happy to take on a different set of responsibilities."

The Tigers face the Raiders in what is shaping as a must-win match for a side that sits above struggling Parramatta on the table.

Lock Chris Heighington said the side is ready to rebound following last week's loss to the Dragons.

"It was a disappointing night for us," said Heighington. "Everyone out there didn't play well,"

"We've got a fair bit of work to resurrect that."

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tigers-coach-tim-sheens-is-poised-to-shift-tim-moltzen-to-fullback/story-e6frexnr-1226309011039

 

[richie]

I would have liked him to give him a little more time to get his feet right..! I don't think this is the answer! What happens if Moltzen has a shocking game as fullback! and I still think Jacob has another 1 or 2yrs to make it to NRL leavel..
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[tigerz2012]

Best news I've heard all week, Jacob Miller will do the Job.
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[weststigers4life]

If this is the case,hopefully humble goes to the bench instead of humble
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[tigerz2012]

As much as I like Fulton, I think this decision will result in a better balanced side all-round.

I'm feeling a little more confident going into Mondays game, especially with specialist players playing in their position.
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Agree 100%
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[Tiger_Watto]

I like this switch, but I don't think this will fix our go forward in the short term.

 

[weststigers4life]

Meant humble to the bench instead of meaney
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[weststigers4life]

I like this switch, but I don't think this will fix our go forward in the short term.

most people rightfully so were saying it was time for moltz to step up,but so does our forward pack
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[Guest]

Hi Blackandwhite - will Politoni play? The idea of Fulton at hooker scares me!

Politoni played for Balmain today, and went well from all reports. One back on the bench I can handle. Two backs on the bench against one of the biggest packs in the comp is lunacy.

willow a starting player is saying Meaney and Miller we be on the bench. Obviously Sheens see's our backrow playing plenty of minutes and Fulton will switch there when Miller comes on.

I understand that may be the case Sirro. I just don't agree with it given the Raiders will try and belt the Tigers up the middle.

 

[softlaw]

I'd be interested to know if Sheens is doing this more because he thinks Humble can;t handle fullback or because he thinks Moltzen can;t handle halfback.

Either way I'm just really glad Miller's getting a go this early. I hope he shows us all the talent he's renowned for and makes the Tigers 7 jersey his for a long time to come.

We need a real halfback and it's finally MILLER TIME!

 

[Andyvee]

Thats great news that Miller is in the team. I really do commend Sheens for trying things so early in the year. The team has had a horrible start with injury's and Robbies suspension. Who knows where we would be if we still had the same team as round 1????

Fingers crossed that the forwards have a real go and this combo works with Moltz and Miller.

 

[alexaki]

Cant knock Sheens anymore…he ate "humble" pie and realised Moltzen @#7 failed....last year his pride would've gotten in the way and he would've stuck to his guns....good move Sheens...Fellow Forumers give him some credit!

 

[king_sirro]

I agree willow. Its another crazy bench decision

 

[Mighty_Tigers]

Yep I am not a fan of some of Sheens decisions but I take my hat off to him for recognizing we have a problem rather than digging his heals in like he normally would.That's all we ask as fans give us the best options to win a premiership even if it means experementing sometimes. If the experiment is going wrong change the formula. Sheens greatest criticism comes from his inability to concede he may be wrong sometimes( stubbornness).Go Tiges

 

[Spartan117]

Miller is our best prospect at numbet7.

Im happy… lets see if it actually happens....

 

[Snake]

This is crunch time for the Position of 1/2 back If Miller is seen to be the future at 1/2 so be it ! He will make mistakes sure but in reality if he doesn't pan out this season then get the Chq book out and sign a tested one no use letting this go into next season.As for Moltzen what ever just an average footballer looking for a position whether he is re signed or not no big deal good No 14.

 

[smoking_gun]

I'm not sold on this. Jacob has been struggling in 20s for a bit. He throws in a great game here and there but I Personally think moltzen deserves more then 3 games there.

 

[innsaneink]

Is this all just a reactionary move to farah being out for two?
And will things go back to how they were when he returns?

 

[tiger_sean]

I'm not sold on this. Jacob has been struggling in 20s for a bit. He throws in a great game here and there but I Personally think moltzen deserves more then 3 games there.

I tend to agree a bit.
From what I have seen of Miller I still am not convinced he is a first grade standard halfback just yet.
Definitely has a lot of potential.
I really hope he goes well tomorrow night and proves me wrong

 

[851]

Miller is our best prospect at numbet7.

Im happy… lets see if it actually happens....

It would be so like Sheens to give him 5 minutes at the end and drop him next week,I hope he gets at least 3 games like Tim got,then we can make a call.