Wests Tigers Team v Canberra Rd 1

[Jedi_Tiger]

Lucianos x-factor in the video ??

Quickly becoming my Fav WT player

The closest we have to a superstar and fast becoming one if that trial form holds up ?


I've asked myself more than once - What on earth was Mary thinking? You simply don't let blokes like Lucy go.

One my friends who is a saints fan reckons he was the laziest defender and had a poor work rate. 1 year later I’m having the last laugh

I don't think your friend saw him play if he thought that. Glad you had the last laugh though.

He who laughs last - laughs best so they say.

Some of it is true though, he was lazy - Madge changed that

But it was obvious he had ability

He was never fit at saints go back and have a look at some games he played 25 to 30 mins

 

[Deleted member 3518]

Lucianos x-factor in the video ??

Quickly becoming my Fav WT player

The closest we have to a superstar and fast becoming one if that trial form holds up ?


I've asked myself more than once - What on earth was Mary thinking? You simply don't let blokes like Lucy go.

One my friends who is a saints fan reckons he was the laziest defender and had a poor work rate. 1 year later I’m having the last laugh

I don't think your friend saw him play if he thought that. Glad you had the last laugh though.

He who laughs last - laughs best so they say.

Some of it is true though, he was lazy - Madge changed that

But it was obvious he had ability

I think he was just unfit , and didn’t understand what was required of a first grader . Plus if you don’t want to be somewhere , it’s hard to be motivated . Saints sounds like a real toxic culture .

Maybe a little, but always thought he was underutilised at the dragons and why I expected he would more than make up for the loss of player in Matterson that he was replacing. Lucy is a true second rower, whilst the other a middle wannabe.

Looking forward to seeing him and those around him on the left really shining this weekend and into the season.

Yep , well he loves the joint here , so thanks saints !!!

 

[TigerWest]

Talau at 14 and Packer are bizarre inclusions.

Can't understand why Simpkin would be left out.

I can understand all the selection choices depending on how they are going to be utilised.

What troubles me more is not playing Liddle for 60 minutes or so in the proper trial to help prepare for big minutes, if as I am pretty sure one poster here who occasionally gives some good oil stated at the time, that we were only going with one specialist nine in Liddle to start the season. If the intent is to run Mbye there for a stint and I cannot imagine another filling the role, then I would prefer that Simpkin as a proper nine be there.

I would prefer 4 forwards (no second DH), but if not, then it has to be Mbye as he can cover so many positions. I think he will help us out big time.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Lucianos x-factor in the video ??

Quickly becoming my Fav WT player

The closest we have to a superstar and fast becoming one if that trial form holds up ?


I've asked myself more than once - What on earth was Mary thinking? You simply don't let blokes like Lucy go.

One my friends who is a saints fan reckons he was the laziest defender and had a poor work rate. 1 year later I’m having the last laugh

He was into the Oporto back then but appears to have found professionalism works for him.

Was still a good player even then, but has really kicked on since.

We will see Luciano have a similar year to Matterson in 2019. Would not be surprised to see him in the Blues squad. If you are playing Fantasy or Supercoach I highly recommend picking him up. He's owned by very few people.


agreed, he will have a great season this year, but the top teams will target him early I think. Just creates options around him for his brother and DL

How good will it be if Laurie is a supporting fullback?

Hope he & Brooks support Luc all year plenty of opportunities will arise


exactly this. if they support we get plenty of points


If the Manly trial is anything to go by Brooks could be our Terry Lamb. What made Baa Baa so good? You could tell nobody insisted he stay on one side of the field.


he always. - ALWAYS supported up the middle. Scored so many tries that way. Last year we had no one doing that. Brooks and Laurie should be doing it all day

Yeah, even early on, though it was pretty easy to do when he first went to Canterbury with Mortimer running the show.

Laurie looked good backing up closer to the middle on early plays and then moving wider, just like the traitor used him in limited appearances last year. Hoping that he can bring similar strengths in the areas he will be well tested on without the ball on Sunday.

 

[the_third]

Lucianos x-factor in the video ??

Quickly becoming my Fav WT player

The closest we have to a superstar and fast becoming one if that trial form holds up ?


I've asked myself more than once - What on earth was Mary thinking? You simply don't let blokes like Lucy go.

One my friends who is a saints fan reckons he was the laziest defender and had a poor work rate. 1 year later I’m having the last laugh

He was into the Oporto back then but appears to have found professionalism works for him.

Was still a good player even then, but has really kicked on since.

We will see Luciano have a similar year to Matterson in 2019. Would not be surprised to see him in the Blues squad. If you are playing Fantasy or Supercoach I highly recommend picking him up. He's owned by very few people.


agreed, he will have a great season this year, but the top teams will target him early I think. Just creates options around him for his brother and DL

How good will it be if Laurie is a supporting fullback?

Hope he & Brooks support Luc all year plenty of opportunities will arise


exactly this. if they support we get plenty of points


If the Manly trial is anything to go by Brooks could be our Terry Lamb. What made Baa Baa so good? You could tell nobody insisted he stay on one side of the field.


he always. - ALWAYS supported up the middle. Scored so many tries that way. Last year we had no one doing that. Brooks and Laurie should be doing it all day

Yeah, even early on, though it was pretty easy to do when he first went to Canterbury with Mortimer running the show.

Laurie looked good backing up closer to the middle on early plays and then moving wider, just like the traitor used him in limited appearances last year. Hoping that he can bring similar strengths in the areas he will be well tested on without the ball on Sunday.

fingers crossed - he looked electric when he was running

 

[Tim Sheens]

Talau at 14 and Packer are bizarre inclusions.

Can't understand why Simpkin would be left out.

I can understand all the selection choices depending on how they are going to be utilised.

What troubles me more is not playing Liddle for 60 minutes or so in the proper trial to help prepare for big minutes, if as I am pretty sure one poster here who occasionally gives some good oil stated at the time, that we were only going with one specialist nine in Liddle to start the season. If the intent is to run Mbye there for a stint and I cannot imagine another filling the role, then I would prefer that Simpkin as a proper nine be there.

I would prefer 4 forwards (no second DH), but if not, then it has to be Mbye as he can cover so many positions. I think he will help us out big time.

I hope that Liddle can become an 80 minute nine and possibly allow for your preference, though for mine a huge bench went out when the interchange was reduced.

 

[earl]

Lucianos x-factor in the video ??

Quickly becoming my Fav WT player

The closest we have to a superstar and fast becoming one if that trial form holds up ?


I've asked myself more than once - What on earth was Mary thinking? You simply don't let blokes like Lucy go.

One my friends who is a saints fan reckons he was the laziest defender and had a poor work rate. 1 year later I’m having the last laugh

I don't think your friend saw him play if he thought that. Glad you had the last laugh though.

He who laughs last - laughs best so they say.

Some of it is true though, he was lazy - Madge changed that

But it was obvious he had ability

I think he was just unfit , and didn’t understand what was required of a first grader . Plus if you don’t want to be somewhere , it’s hard to be motivated . Saints sounds like a real toxic culture .

Maybe a little, but always thought he was underutilised at the dragons and why I expected he would more than make up for the loss of player in Matterson that he was replacing. Lucy is a true second rower, whilst the other a middle wannabe.

Looking forward to seeing him and those around him on the left really shining this weekend and into the season.

I prefer Luc on an edge by a mile.

 

[TigerWest]

Talau at 14 and Packer are bizarre inclusions.

Can't understand why Simpkin would be left out.

I can understand all the selection choices depending on how they are going to be utilised.

What troubles me more is not playing Liddle for 60 minutes or so in the proper trial to help prepare for big minutes, if as I am pretty sure one poster here who occasionally gives some good oil stated at the time, that we were only going with one specialist nine in Liddle to start the season. If the intent is to run Mbye there for a stint and I cannot imagine another filling the role, then I would prefer that Simpkin as a proper nine be there.

I would prefer 4 forwards (no second DH), but if not, then it has to be Mbye as he can cover so many positions. I think he will help us out big time.

I hope that Liddle can become an 80 minute nine and possibly allow for your preference, though for mine a huge bench went out when the interchange was reduced.

Understand your point, if they were yesteryears fwds, but not to many slackers in our lot these days.

But anyway, they want to go with a utility, I am not to argue with them.

 

[sleeve]

Roberts and Nofo together should score plenty of tries
Defensively not the most stable combo though expect plenty of traffic

I agree , i think we can hold them in the middle, but Ricki's sides aim for the edges, thats where Whiton likes to attack, i hope Moses has got rid of his give way sign.

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

**Major Talking Points in Round 1 team list**

Five of the club’s new recruits will make their Wests Tigers debuts, while there's also plenty of interest with new selections and player positions.


* Daine Laurie named at fullback

* Positional switch for Moses Mbye
* AJ Kepaoa set to soar on left wing
* Big minutes looming for Jacob Liddle


* Big starting pack and even bigger bench

 

[JC99]

Talau at 14 and Packer are bizarre inclusions.

Can't understand why Simpkin would be left out.

I can understand all the selection choices depending on how they are going to be utilised.

What troubles me more is not playing Liddle for 60 minutes or so in the proper trial to help prepare for big minutes, if as I am pretty sure one poster here who occasionally gives some good oil stated at the time, that we were only going with one specialist nine in Liddle to start the season. If the intent is to run Mbye there for a stint and I cannot imagine another filling the role, then I would prefer that Simpkin as a proper nine be there.

I would prefer 4 forwards (no second DH), but if not, then it has to be Mbye as he can cover so many positions. I think he will help us out big time.

I hope that Liddle can become an 80 minute nine and possibly allow for your preference, though for mine a huge bench went out when the interchange was reduced.

I reckon he'll play 80. Tamou reckons he's the fittest bloke at the club and I don't see why he can't

 

[Tigerwould]

Lucianos x-factor in the video ??

Quickly becoming my Fav WT player

The closest we have to a superstar and fast becoming one if that trial form holds up ?


I've asked myself more than once - What on earth was Mary thinking? You simply don't let blokes like Lucy go.

One my friends who is a saints fan reckons he was the laziest defender and had a poor work rate. 1 year later I’m having the last laugh

He was into the Oporto back then but appears to have found professionalism works for him.

Was still a good player even then, but has really kicked on since.

We will see Luciano have a similar year to Matterson in 2019. Would not be surprised to see him in the Blues squad. If you are playing Fantasy or Supercoach I highly recommend picking him up. He's owned by very few people.

Luciano 2020 Matterson 2019 but it’s very close IMO

Luciano lost his form from rounds 15-19 in 2020, whereas Matterson was good for the entire season.

Matterson does sometimes pop up on the opposite edge. If Brooks in roaming hope Lucy and Laurie aren’t to far away.

 

[nrlsurvivor]

Just noticed the weather forecast in Canberra on Sunday is tops on 16 degrees with 100% chance of rain. That could hurt is. It’s a shame because Saturday in Canberra is 28 and sunny.

 

[Guest]

Liddle confident physical and mental strain finally behind him
Author
Chris Kennedy
NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp
Wed 10 Mar 2021, 09:28 AM

Wests Tigers hooker Jacob Liddle says the mental challenges of his injury history outweigh the physical but he's now fit and ready for a contract year.

Since Liddle's debut in late 2016, his injury checklist has included a season-ending shoulder injury in late 2017 that impacted his 2018 season and a full knee blowout that included a ruptured ACL in late 2019 that sidelined him for another year.

All up, Liddle has played 44 games across five seasons, in a period that has seen Robbie Farah return to the club then retire, Matt Ballin recruited before he retired, and Harry Grant brought over on a loan deal before going back to Melbourne.

Liddle told NRL.com the physical challenges of returning were nothing compared to the mental challenges, but he is in a great space now.

"I'm feeling good – all intact," he laughed. "Full summer. I came back and probably got six games at the end of the season.

"I wasn't expecting to get back last season but I was happy to get that out of the way. Trained a full pre-season and feeling strong.

"It's been really great, great for my body, great for my game. Great for the mind too, going into season off a big pre-season."

Liddle doesn't shy away from how tough things got after the knee injury, having only just reclaimed a starting spot thanks to a Farah injury in 2019.

"Yeah it was tough. There's a lot of mental stuff around it. I think that's probably most of it," he said.

"The physical stuff, we train every day, you can get through that easy. It's about the support around you, keeping that positive mindset, not looking too far down the road. You get back. It takes time but you get back eventually.

"That's been my goal, just to keep plugging away. I'm ready to go now."

There has been a great show of faith from the club in the former Australian Schoolboys and NSW under 20s hooker.

"They've been great. They've got me through there surgeries now, they supported me the whole way," he added.

"Madge [coach Michael Maguire] has been great. I think I've brought my game a long way since I debuted in 2016."

When the 24-year-old runs out on Sunday, fans can expect to see a hooker who has developed his talking game over the summer as he has built his confidence in a new-look side that piled on a huge 52-18 trial win over Manly.

"When I was younger I probably wasn't the best communicator," Liddle said.

"It's something I've worked on a lot, I've come a long way since then. I think I've come on leaps and bounds this pre-season, so I'm really happy with that."

Liddle will be a key man for several reasons this year; his speed and fitness under the new, faster rules could be a huge asset.

"I'd love to [play 80 minutes]," he added.

"I think that's the goal for every hooker, especially with limited interchanges. But whatever Madge wants to do, if he wants to put another hooker on the bench or wherever he wants me, I'll just play that role.

"The hooker is involved in everything. I think a bit of speed out of there really helps, it goes a long way with these new rules. It's going to be fast."

Off-contract at the end of the year, Liddle knows how important 2021 is but after some major setbacks, isn't looking too far ahead just yet.

"This is the final year [of my current deal]; obviously it's in the back of every player's mind when you're coming off contract," he said.

"I'm just grateful to be back on the field to be honest. It's been a lot of ups and downs over the last couple of years, I'm just grateful to be out there again that's the main thing."

 

[The_Patriot]

Liddle confident physical and mental strain finally behind him
Author
Chris Kennedy
NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp
Wed 10 Mar 2021, 09:28 AM

Wests Tigers hooker Jacob Liddle says the mental challenges of his injury history outweigh the physical but he's now fit and ready for a contract year.

Since Liddle's debut in late 2016, his injury checklist has included a season-ending shoulder injury in late 2017 that impacted his 2018 season and a full knee blowout that included a ruptured ACL in late 2019 that sidelined him for another year.

All up, Liddle has played 44 games across five seasons, in a period that has seen Robbie Farah return to the club then retire, Matt Ballin recruited before he retired, and Harry Grant brought over on a loan deal before going back to Melbourne.

Liddle told NRL.com the physical challenges of returning were nothing compared to the mental challenges, but he is in a great space now.

"I'm feeling good – all intact," he laughed. "Full summer. I came back and probably got six games at the end of the season.

"I wasn't expecting to get back last season but I was happy to get that out of the way. Trained a full pre-season and feeling strong.

"It's been really great, great for my body, great for my game. Great for the mind too, going into season off a big pre-season."

Liddle doesn't shy away from how tough things got after the knee injury, having only just reclaimed a starting spot thanks to a Farah injury in 2019.

"Yeah it was tough. There's a lot of mental stuff around it. I think that's probably most of it," he said.

"The physical stuff, we train every day, you can get through that easy. It's about the support around you, keeping that positive mindset, not looking too far down the road. You get back. It takes time but you get back eventually.

"That's been my goal, just to keep plugging away. I'm ready to go now."

There has been a great show of faith from the club in the former Australian Schoolboys and NSW under 20s hooker.

"They've been great. They've got me through there surgeries now, they supported me the whole way," he added.

"Madge [coach Michael Maguire] has been great. I think I've brought my game a long way since I debuted in 2016."

When the 24-year-old runs out on Sunday, fans can expect to see a hooker who has developed his talking game over the summer as he has built his confidence in a new-look side that piled on a huge 52-18 trial win over Manly.

"When I was younger I probably wasn't the best communicator," Liddle said.

"It's something I've worked on a lot, I've come a long way since then. I think I've come on leaps and bounds this pre-season, so I'm really happy with that."

Liddle will be a key man for several reasons this year; his speed and fitness under the new, faster rules could be a huge asset.

"I'd love to [play 80 minutes]," he added.

"I think that's the goal for every hooker, especially with limited interchanges. But whatever Madge wants to do, if he wants to put another hooker on the bench or wherever he wants me, I'll just play that role.

"The hooker is involved in everything. I think a bit of speed out of there really helps, it goes a long way with these new rules. It's going to be fast."

Off-contract at the end of the year, Liddle knows how important 2021 is but after some major setbacks, isn't looking too far ahead just yet.

"This is the final year [of my current deal]; obviously it's in the back of every player's mind when you're coming off contract," he said.

"I'm just grateful to be back on the field to be honest. It's been a lot of ups and downs over the last couple of years, I'm just grateful to be out there again that's the main thing."

Big year ahead.

In person he looks massive.

Can only hope this is the end of his dramas

 

[tigger19]

Much better 2021 round 1 team compared to 2020.Last year the team started with Jennings and Walters,and Lawrence and Cheekam both on the bench.Once Musgrove,Douehi and Blore come back in looks even stronger

 

[Magpieger]

The only odd thing about Talau on the bench is so far he's only played wing and centre, unless I'm mistaken. It'd be a good wrong-un to pitch at the Raiders as they probably wont expect it if Mbye goes to D/H and he slots in at 5/8th, but does anyone know if he's done any training there?

I lime the idea of finding a spot for a top up and coming player like TT.

He can play halves and is a relativley big body also.

I fell he is our new MCK

Hopefully without the concussions and a bit more killer instinct. Cheeks almost seems too much of a nice guy to be playing contact sport.

 

[Aesopian]

Rnd 1 2021 VS Rnd 1 2020

1. Daine Laurie | 1. Corey Thompson

2. David Nofoaluma | 2. David Nofoaluma

3. James Roberts | 3. Joseph Leilua

4. Joseph Leilua | 4. Adam Doueihi

5. Asu Kepaoa | 5. Robert Jennings (**Nuffie**)

6. Moses Mbye | 6. Benchie (**Literally a benchie now**) Marshall

7. Luke Bwooks | 7. Josh Reynolds (**Really!**)

8. James Tamou | 8. Josh Aloiai 🙂angry: )

9. Jacob Liddle | 9. Billy Walters (**Nuffie**)

10. Joe Ofahengaue | 10. Alex Twal

11. Luke Garner | 11. Luke Garner

12. Luciano Leilua (**God 2.0**) | 12. Luciano Leilua (**God**)

13. Alex Twal | 13. Elijah Taylor (**Semi Plodder**)

**Bench**

14. Tommy Talau | 14. Thomas Mikaele

15. Thomas Mikaele | 15. Zane Musgrove

16. Stefano Utoikamanu | 16. Chris Lawrence

17. Russell Packer (**Field goal specialist**) | 17. MCK

 

[hsvjones]

Rnd 1 2021 VS Rnd 1 2020

1. Daine Laurie | 1. Corey Thompson

2. David Nofoaluma | 2. David Nofoaluma

3. James Roberts | 3. Joseph Leilua

4. Joseph Leilua | 4. Adam Doueihi

5. Asu Kepaoa | 5. Robert Jennings (**Nuffie**)

6. Moses Mbye | 6. Benchie (**Literally a benchie now**) Marshall

7. Luke Bwooks | 7. Josh Reynolds (**Really!**)

8. James Tamou | 8. Josh Aloiai 🙂angry: )

9. Jacob Liddle | 9. Billy Walters (**Nuffie**)

10. Joe Ofahengaue | 10. Alex Twal

11. Luke Garner | 11. Luke Garner

12. Luciano Leilua (**God 2.0**) | 12. Luciano Leilua (**God**)

13. Alex Twal | 13. Elijah Taylor (**Semi Plodder**)

**Bench**

14. Tommy Talau | 14. Thomas Mikaele

15. Thomas Mikaele | 15. Zane Musgrove

16. Stefano Utoikamanu | 16. Chris Lawrence

17. Russell Packer (**Field goal specialist**) | 17. MCK

What an off season and I believe it will get better next off season once we lose Packer and the remaining dead wood.
Just clearly shows the clean out was needed and if we can sneak into the 8 it will do wonders for the club and player recruitment.
The best part for me was the fact we didn't over pay for players like we have in the past. (aka Dogs this year)

This team is so much better than last year so fingers crossed we start well.

 

[clontarfkid]

Think we'll give em a surprise,and have plenty of strike out wide,but all international spine of Raiders vs ours will be telling in the end..unfortunately