Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor says the club will not send their stars to the Auckland Nines
CHRISTIAN NICOLUSSI, The Daily Telegraph
January 16, 2017 5:05pm
JAMES Tedesco was a standout during a hybrid practice game against the Aussie rugby sevens team on Monday.
But the superstar Wests Tigers fullback will not be given the chance to strut his stuff in open space at the Auckland Nines — and nor will the bulk of his senior teammates.
Tigers coach Jason Taylor confirmed he had little interest in winning the Nines, with halfback Luke Brooks one of the few recognisable faces the club will send across the ditch next month.
While last year’s Nines champs Parramatta trotted out big guns Corey Norman, Semi Radradra, Bevan French and Junior Paulo, the Tigers, currently $17 with the TAB, will be much less appealing.
Taylor made no apologies for his decision to keep the majority of his stars at home, including Tedesco.
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The Tigers had a session with the Australian sevens team.
Plenty of rival coaches feel the same.
“We don’t put much emphasis on the Nines,’’ Taylor told The Daily Telegraph.
“I’m comfortable to say that because I don’t want to pretend we do.
“The Nines is a really good weekend, the guys who go there enjoy it, they run it well, but I don’t want Wests Tigers fans to get excited about what we’re going to do at the Nines because we’re not excited about it.
“Our session today against the Aussie sevens was not about the Nines and all of a sudden throwing flick passes, it’s about getting our speeds up at training, and preparing us for March when the NRL starts.’’
Tedesco’s speed was impossible to ignore, even against ultra-fit sevens players, including Aussie skipper Sam Myers and former Tiger Jesse Parahi.
Taylor said Tedesco had undergone minor work on his nose and jaw during the off-season, while he also had a minor clean-out of his knee, but was in for another big season.
“Teddy has been building up and it was good to see that out there today,’’ Taylor said.
Taylor is about to begin his third season in charge of the Tigers.
“The experience for him with Origin was massive, it’s something he always wanted to do, and everybody here knew he was good enough to play it for a fair period _ so for him to get that opportunity was great. He’s on top of those (injuries) and looking well.’’
Hooker Matt Ballin did not take part but remains on track to overcome a second knee reconstruction to play in round one.
Kyle Lovett was also absent, with reports suggesting the backrower had been shopped around.
“At this stage Kyle will be here this season,’’ Taylor said.
The Tigers will not stand in the way of Lovett if he finds a new club, and he was informed over summer he could explore his options.
The Tigers must still shed at least one player to be cap compliant by round one, but the amount of money is believed to be much less than the $200,000 they could save by shifting Lovett.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/tigers/wests-tigers-coach-jason-taylor-says-the-club-will-not-send-their-stars-to-the-auckland-nines/news-story/6fb77906cd6254288b5f465b13f4a5dd
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