WESTS Tigers Team V Roosters...

[Tweed_Tiger]

https://twitter.com/TripleM_NRL/status/971648609627267072

 

[Cairnstigers]

Ivan may just mix the team up on field as he did in the trials

That will make it harder for the opposition to know what's going on
Reynolds Brooks Benji Tui and even Goodinet could spend time in the halves or even Hooker for that matter
Seemed to work against the cowboys
Mixing it up may be a good plan of attack against the Hens
As long as our players know their positions when we switch
I know it's risky but it gives us a lot more options and combinations in attack
Nothing like a good trick shot
A little like the kick from Hunt to Widdop in tonight's game
Brisbane didn't expect it and it almost paid dividends
I would like to see our team try that kind of play if we are finding it hard to break their line
If it doesn't work it will still keep them and other teams in two minds
Everyone seams to think we don't have a chance this year
They are probably right if we don't try anything new and just run the ball
But if we can add some short chip kicks and cut out passes to our game along with more offloads we will stand a very good chance of springing a few upsets this year
Think of how we through the ball around in 2005
More of that please
I think the best chance of winning for us is to change our plan of attack from years gone by
Make other teams change the way they need to defend against us

Well that's my thought on how we can win
What's your plan of attack

 

[Geo]

What's your plan of attack

Give it to Tedesco..

 

[Cairnstigers]

What's your plan of attack

Give it to Tedesco..

So we can :deadhorse:

 

[innsaneink]

The Dragons tonight have shown what a CLASSY spine can do behind a quality pack.

Yeah found myself envious of Widdop & Hunt…they were pretty good from the get go, wait until they really learn each others game

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Can’t stand reshuffles if there aren’t injuries. Just name the side. Not that it’s a side on paper to write home about. Packerlino have a massive job to stand up to their pack.

 

[The_Patriot]

From Brent Read on The Lurker Live..

Lurker live - could be a reshuffle starting line up.
Reynolds to hooker and either Benji or Lolahea to 5/8.
Lolahea would see Thompson at FB and Nofo back in on wing.

This sounds like pure fantasy.

So much effort and expense put into Brooks and Reynolds that they arent going to change it before a ball has even been kicked.

 

[old_man_tiger]

I think if beni is fit he would have a better short kicking game (based on his time as a donkey) than Lucas or Joshua. He also might be better at finding space for someone like Esan or Tuimalolo. Without a trial and past halfway to pension age I don't think he can do it for 80.

I've come around to some of the more pessimistic views on here in one way, I'm not sure if our recruitment strategy was right in terms of balance in the spine. However, I'll be chuffed if I'm wrong and my happy thoughts come back.

 

[barra]

It's hard not to be disappointed… My main concerns are that the backrow is meh and there's a real lack of size on our flanks to do the heavy lifting when it comes to bringing back all those Cronk kicks to the corners.

On the upside, I'm hoping for a totally new look side in a few rounds when some others are ready, we certainly have some options to be bigger and better.

 

[Don Kershane]

Seems clear to me that Lolohea and Thompson will be rotated at fullback given comments from Cleary regarding how impressed he was with Thompson's form.Good option if Lolo struggles.

 

[Tweed_Tiger]

Benji Marshall has overcome a calf issue to take his place in the side. “No concern about his calf. He’ll play,” Ivan Cleary said.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/nrl-round-1-late-mail-updated-team-lists-and-tips-from-every-team-every-game/news-story/62584f687bf3660c72cb702871a11521

 

[shifty]

I know it was only round 1, but honestly watching the Broncos play last night, I think they’re in for a tough year…can’t remember the last time I looked at them and thought “geez is that it”..they will definitely miss Hunt..

 

[Tweed_Tiger]

Marshall confirmed to make Wests Tigers return
https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2018/03/09/marshall-confirmed-to-make-wests-tigers-return/

Wests Tigers Head Coach Ivan Cleary has confirmed that Benji Marshall will play in Saturday's season opener at ANZ Stadium against the Sydney Roosters.

Reports earlier in the week had suggested the 33-year-old would miss the match with a calf injury, but Cleary was quick to dismiss the notion that Marshall would miss his return game — instead highlighting his energy and enthusiasm around the group in the build up to Saturday's blockbuster clash.

"He's in," Cleary told reporters at today's media session.

"No concern with his calf."

"It's good to have Benji back. It's good to see him genuinely happy.

"It's really good to see someone who has done so much for the club really want to come back and love the club — it's definitely a positive for us to have and for the squad."

Marshall is one of seven new faces set to feature against the Roosters tomorrow, with six club debutants all confirmed to feature in Saturday's showdown against the competition favourites.

In his first game for the club in 1646 days, the Life Member will come off the bench at some point in the match — perhaps spelling Pita Godinet at hooker or moving in to the halves as had been speculated by Josh Reynolds — but Cleary wasn't giving any secrets away about his role tomorrow.

"I've got a plan," he said with a smirk.

"We'll leave it at that."

Wests Tigers will kick off against the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium from 4:30pm on Saturday.

 

[tigerbalm]

Win , loose or get the annual rooster rogering…its nice to see Benji in the lineup.

I will definitely have a different opinion come round 6 and he's passing into row 6 but for now, its nice.

 

[colmcd]

I just can't believe that Pita Godinet was a Genuine COME HERE.

Not sure if he is there to pressure McKillwick or Liddle to work harder or if he offered what Ivan wanted. Either way for a signing that many disparaged I am glad to see him become useful.

I don't know how he will go against the bigger teams, I could see Pita getting run over by Smith, Friend, etc.

I find it interesting that Ivan seems to be deliberately choosing the older players over the younger talent. This is so counter cultural for us Tigers.

 

[jrtiger]

I just can't believe that Pita Godinet was a Genuine COME HERE.

Not sure if he is there to pressure McKillwick or Liddle to work harder or if he offered what Ivan wanted. Either way for a signing that many disparaged I am glad to see him become useful.

I don't know how he will go against the bigger teams, I could see Pita getting run over by Smith, Friend, etc.

I find it interesting that Ivan seems to be deliberately choosing the older players over the younger talent. This is so counter cultural for us Tigers.

How is it counter cultural when the players that have thoroughly impressed and worked harder than others in the Pre-Season have been rewarded? They haven't been shafted to reserves in a Farah-like situation, they simply have things to work on and once they've been fixed then they'll be back in firsts.

As for Godinet, he outplayed McIlwrick in both trials and at this point with Liddle out until Round 4, he's our best HOOKER to start. ET, Benji and Reynolds can all do a job there, but a specialist will begin the rotation tomorrow night.

 

[Snake]

I just can't believe that Pita Godinet was a Genuine COME HERE.

Not sure if he is there to pressure McKillwick or Liddle to work harder or if he offered what Ivan wanted. Either way for a signing that many disparaged I am glad to see him become useful.

I don't know how he will go against the bigger teams, I could see Pita getting run over by Smith, Friend, etc.

I find it interesting that Ivan seems to be deliberately choosing the older players over the younger talent. This is so counter cultural for us Tigers.

How is it counter cultural when the players that have thoroughly impressed and worked harder than others in the Pre-Season have been rewarded? They haven't been shafted to reserves in a Farah-like situation, they simply have things to work on and once they've been fixed then they'll be back in firsts.

As for Godinet, he outplayed McIlwrick in both trials and at this point with Liddle out until Round 4, he's our best HOOKER to start. ET, Benji and Reynolds can all do a job there, but a specialist will begin the rotation tomorrow night.

Well said !

 

[TigerCast]

I just can't believe that Pita Godinet was a Genuine COME HERE.

Not sure if he is there to pressure McKillwick or Liddle to work harder or if he offered what Ivan wanted. Either way for a signing that many disparaged I am glad to see him become useful.

I don't know how he will go against the bigger teams, I could see Pita getting run over by Smith, Friend, etc.

I find it interesting that Ivan seems to be deliberately choosing the older players over the younger talent. This is so counter cultural for us Tigers.

McIllwrick was truley horrible in the sharks trial, he had me wondering if we still had Masada Iosefas number.

 

[tigerap]

The Dragons tonight have shown what a CLASSY spine can do behind a quality pack.

Yeah found myself envious of Widdop & Hunt…they were pretty good from the get go, wait until they really learn each others game

Widdop was the star, he threw some bullet cutout passes that lead to trys

 

[TigerSJ]

Broncos looked underdone for sure. Nikorima was almost absent and the Dragons pack outmuscled the Broncos forwards, which shouldn't be a surprise as they have a great pack. Widdop is all class, and Hunt was just OK in my view. He made a lot of errors, sure he scored a good intercept try and a couple of other plays, but overall he has a way to go to reach his best. The Dragons will be tough to beat as long as Widdop stays healthy. The little fullback (Dufty?) will be on a few highlight reels this year, I'm sure.

As for out team selections - it seems pretty obvious and transparent after watching all the videos and interviews of Ivan, that he has put a lot of thought and science into his selections. He has alluded to "more questions than answers" relating to the team but has made his choices on effort and form to date. He's made it clear that effort will be rewarded and that all 30 players are part of a squad that will all play their part in the success of the team over the duration of a long season. Best of luck to every player!!