Wests Tigers sign James Roberts till 2022
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avocadoontoast
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Tahu backs Roberts to return to the top and regain Origin jumper
Adrian Proszenko
By Adrian Proszenko
December 5, 2020 — 1.35pm
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Timana Tahu, the newest addition to the Wests Tigers coaching staff, predicts he won’t have new recruit James Roberts at his disposal for the entire 2021 regular season.
“He should be the NSW centre next year,” Tahu said.
Tahu has just joined Michael Maguire’s brains trust as a coach and mentor to the club’s outside backs. The dual international will bring with him all the experience he garnered during an illustrious playing career that included stints with NSW and Australia, and a premiership with Newcastle.
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Considered one of the best three-quarters of his generation, Tahu is keen to share that knowledge with the next group of stars coming through at the joint-venture outfit.
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Tahu will work closely with the Tigers three-quarters, including Roberts, Joey Leilua and Tommy Talau. The 40-year-old believes there is tremendous upside to the trio.
“You look at Jimmy, he was the NSW centre just [two years ago],” Tahu said. “That’s where I expect him and BJ to be as well. They just need to believe in it.
“One of the reasons I’m there is to give them that belief. They are natural strike weapons. There’s not too much to teach on the field.
“I feel they should be the NSW centres, for sure.”
Timana Tahu is confident James Roberts can return to Origin level.
Timana Tahu is confident James Roberts can return to Origin level.CREDIT:GETTY
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Asked about mentoring Roberts, Tahu said: “I’m not his dad. I want to be more of a friend and have a working relationship.
“I don’t want me walking into the room [and him] thinking, ‘Here we go again, another person telling me how I should be behaving or thinking.’
“That’s just not me. My job is to see what he and Madge want and to collaborate to be part of Jimmy’s career, and the other boys as well.”
As for Talau, Tahu still remembers playing against his father, Willie, early in his career.
“I think it was my first year, I played against his old man,” he said. “He was an international, a tough centre. As a young kid you look at the best centres and replicate what they’re doing. To now be a consultant and helping his son, I’m very grateful.”
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Tahu’s appointment comes just as the Tigers announced a partnership with Awabakal, an Aboriginal, community-controlled health service that will help provide pathways for Indigenous athletes to reach their goals at the club. The former Knights, Panthers and Eels centre wants the Tigers to become the preferred destination for all elite Indigenous players.
“Souths have done a really good job, they have always been the team that a lot of Indigenous people follow,” he said.
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“I’m on the Wests Tigers team now, so I want all the best Indigenous players playing for Wests Tigers.
“It’s something I always wanted to do, give back to the game that gave me so much.
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“I got to represent my club, my country, my state and the Indigenous All Stars – I ticked off a lot of boxes. If it wasn’t for rugby league, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
“I’m grateful for what the sport has done for me and with the knowledge I’ve got, getting to work with the best players and coaches in the world. It’s time for me to give back.
“It’s perfect timing and Madge [Maguire] has been awesome.
“Madge says the Wests Tigers are a sleeping giant, that he expects more from the club and where he wants it to be.
“I feel like I’ve come at the right time. I’ve been around winners and Madge is a winner. He’s won a grand final, he’s the Kiwi coach and I feel like I’m coming into a great club, a powerhouse club.”
Adrian Proszenko
By Adrian Proszenko
December 5, 2020 — 1.35pm
Save
Share
Normal text sizeLarger text sizeVery large text size
0
Leave a comment
Timana Tahu, the newest addition to the Wests Tigers coaching staff, predicts he won’t have new recruit James Roberts at his disposal for the entire 2021 regular season.
“He should be the NSW centre next year,” Tahu said.
Tahu has just joined Michael Maguire’s brains trust as a coach and mentor to the club’s outside backs. The dual international will bring with him all the experience he garnered during an illustrious playing career that included stints with NSW and Australia, and a premiership with Newcastle.
Play Video
NRL CEO unveils 2021 draw
Play video
2:38
NRL CEO unveils 2021 draw
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo unveils the season draw for 2021.
Considered one of the best three-quarters of his generation, Tahu is keen to share that knowledge with the next group of stars coming through at the joint-venture outfit.
Advertisement
Tahu will work closely with the Tigers three-quarters, including Roberts, Joey Leilua and Tommy Talau. The 40-year-old believes there is tremendous upside to the trio.
“You look at Jimmy, he was the NSW centre just [two years ago],” Tahu said. “That’s where I expect him and BJ to be as well. They just need to believe in it.
“One of the reasons I’m there is to give them that belief. They are natural strike weapons. There’s not too much to teach on the field.
“I feel they should be the NSW centres, for sure.”
Timana Tahu is confident James Roberts can return to Origin level.
Timana Tahu is confident James Roberts can return to Origin level.CREDIT:GETTY
Advertisement
Asked about mentoring Roberts, Tahu said: “I’m not his dad. I want to be more of a friend and have a working relationship.
“I don’t want me walking into the room [and him] thinking, ‘Here we go again, another person telling me how I should be behaving or thinking.’
“That’s just not me. My job is to see what he and Madge want and to collaborate to be part of Jimmy’s career, and the other boys as well.”
As for Talau, Tahu still remembers playing against his father, Willie, early in his career.
“I think it was my first year, I played against his old man,” he said. “He was an international, a tough centre. As a young kid you look at the best centres and replicate what they’re doing. To now be a consultant and helping his son, I’m very grateful.”
Advertisement
Tahu’s appointment comes just as the Tigers announced a partnership with Awabakal, an Aboriginal, community-controlled health service that will help provide pathways for Indigenous athletes to reach their goals at the club. The former Knights, Panthers and Eels centre wants the Tigers to become the preferred destination for all elite Indigenous players.
“Souths have done a really good job, they have always been the team that a lot of Indigenous people follow,” he said.
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“I’m on the Wests Tigers team now, so I want all the best Indigenous players playing for Wests Tigers.
“It’s something I always wanted to do, give back to the game that gave me so much.
Advertisement
“I got to represent my club, my country, my state and the Indigenous All Stars – I ticked off a lot of boxes. If it wasn’t for rugby league, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
“I’m grateful for what the sport has done for me and with the knowledge I’ve got, getting to work with the best players and coaches in the world. It’s time for me to give back.
“It’s perfect timing and Madge [Maguire] has been awesome.
“Madge says the Wests Tigers are a sleeping giant, that he expects more from the club and where he wants it to be.
“I feel like I’ve come at the right time. I’ve been around winners and Madge is a winner. He’s won a grand final, he’s the Kiwi coach and I feel like I’m coming into a great club, a powerhouse club.”
TIGERPOWER
Well-known member
I think having Timana around the boys is genius. If we can get a firing roberts and BJ wow that would be a dynamic duo.
InBenjiWeTrust
Well-known member
as been awesome.@avocadoontoast said in [Wests Tigers sign James Roberts till 2022](/post/1276969) said:
“Madge says the Wests Tigers are a sleeping giant, that he expects more from the club and where he wants it to be.
ATM, the WT could be sleepy, but giants?:thinking_face:
Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan
Well-known member
nice article!
T
Tiger5150
Guest
Im just waiting for the next "Tigers Management are doing nothing" post.....
@Tiger5150 said in [Wests Tigers sign James Roberts till 2022](/post/1276977) said:
For me I think we have had a great offseason considering where we were like 6 weeks ago...
Media ride us like no other teams, We still have 3 big contracts with us from Ivan, The fans (me included) felt like next year would be another bad year and 2022 we would start the climb up.....
Now... I really believe we are heading up and will only get better.
* The players we have recruited are players we need and want top be here
* We are not overpaying for players
* We have picked up James Roberts who was cheap and if doesn't work out not a big lose in salary
* We have signed players with Club options for the last years of contract (puts us in control)
* We are putting a lot of time and money into junior development and pathways - Will pay off long term
* Considering the way Media beat us up is it amazing that we are in the top 4 teams each year for Channel 9 games with says a lot and how big our fan base is
* Picking up James T and Joe O is a massive win for me as they will bring that winning culture and rep experience with them for our juniors.
* Our COE is starting and will have a big media focus through 2021/22
The list goes on but until we start winning and make the finals the media will always print negative about us.
Coach also did the best thing that has happened to us in a long time and cleaned the dead wood out of the club and put everyone on notice - If you don't want to work hard and win then its not the place for you..
Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan
Well-known member
@hsvjones said in [Wests Tigers sign James Roberts till 2022](/post/1276985) said:
Best case of this is Joey Leilua. He has a club option for a contract next year, so he HAS to play well in 2021 if he wants the third year. If not, we can simply offload him with no penalty for doing so.
mike
Well-known member
Wests Tigers management are hopeless. They never do anything...... Pascoe must go.... lol
@TIGERPOWER said in [Wests Tigers sign James Roberts till 2022](/post/1276970) said:
Timana is a little each way isn't he? Half Aboriginal, half Maori yeah?
tony soprano
Well-known member
@TigerWest said in [Wests Tigers sign James Roberts till 2022](/post/1277028) said:
Yes I’m sure being the no1 sponsor in the NRL helps
Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan
Well-known member
Man, I'm so excited. I'm seeing all of these good characters aligned with our club. People who would normally have nothing to do with us, such as Adam Hartigan, Timana Tahu and even Madge. These guys are adding an extra element to our club which never existed. I am so happy. I feel like we are finally going somewhere new.
I want finals so bad. I will cry when it finally happens. I imagine many others feel the same.
I want finals so bad. I will cry when it finally happens. I imagine many others feel the same.
