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How Packer can get Tigers back on track
Author Alicia Newton Timestamp Tue 8 May 2018, 07:06 PMThe feelings were mutual - Russell Packer missed being on the field over the last month and the Wests Tigers dearly missed their pack leader.
The co-captain’s return from a knee injury is a timely boost for Ivan Cleary’s men as they look to get back on track against North Queensland at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday night.
The fashion in which the joint venture have lost in recent weeks has hurt Packer most. Two close losses against teams below them on the ladder in Newcastle and Parramatta, compounded with a heavy defeat to the Warriors in Auckland last Saturday, have brought the club back to a logjam in the top eight.
“It’s a bit disappointing, everyone is realistic to the fact that the standards we set earlier in the year haven’t been held to the same level,” Packer said.
“It’s always hard watching whether you’re injured or haven’t been selected. It’s one of the challenges when you play in the NRL. It’s a struggle to watch because everyone wants to play.”
Packer baulked at suggestions the side were back to where everyone predicted them to be after proving to be the surprise packets of the Telstra Premiership in the opening month of the season.
The Tigers remain the second best defensive outfit in the competition but have gone away from their simple methods in recent weeks that saw them knock off premiers Melbourne twice and pre-season favourites, the Sydney Roosters, at ANZ Stadium in their season opener at ANZ Stadium.
“It’s irrelevant,” Packer responded.
"So if we never get predicted to win, does that mean we lose every game? If we listen to everyone.
"I don’t know if this team does use it as motivation but I personally don’t. If it was based on predictions, we would fall to wherever the experts tell us.
"I wouldn’t say that we overachieved, I would say that we won games. If you want to play semi-final football, you’re winning 13-14 games to guarantee your spot in the top eight. Currently we have five.
"On that statistic, we need to win eight or nine more. Over the third of the season is gone. We are where we are. You can’t take back games that you’ve lost and can’t win games you haven’t played. We’ve got to play hard.
“The thing about the NRL competition is getting off to a good start matters, but really there is an assessment done on your position after 24 rounds are played.”
The Tigers boast a strong record against the Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval, having never lost at the venue since 2000.
Chris Lawrence has been named despite being ruled out with concussion. With a five-day turnaround and NRL rules, it’s unlikely the back-rower will play.
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Kinda feeling confident with him back in the side
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If Lawrence was going to be fit as well I’d be confident
Packer by himself won’t make a great deal of difference , probably play 45-50 minutes at best , be looking for his 2nd wind early on
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Good to have the skipper back
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I look at their 17 and in particular their spine and I look at ours and I see a long night at the office even with Packer back and the LO factor
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Is this the same Cowboys that pretty much sucked all year…sure they beat a depleted Panthers last week but lead 20-0 and nearly got run down…
Smash Thurston…smash the Cows…Packer is a huge IN…not just himself …he lifts those around him…we have missed him and his get behind me attitude…
I confident we will win probably more than any other game this year…well apart from smashing Manly…
We are DESPERATE…
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@:
Is this the same Cowboys that pretty much sucked all year…sure they beat a depleted Panthers last week but lead 20-0 and nearly got run down…
Smash Thurston…smash the Cows…Packer is a huge IN…not just himself …he lifts those around him…we have missed him and his get behind me attitude…
I confident we will win probably more than any other game this year…well apart from smashing Manly…
We are DESPERATE…
First month form means nothing, the Cows did the same thing last year. Although I love your optimism and we have a great record against them. As for a injury riddled Penrith, they are still a very good football side, they certainly are not mugs. Anyway mate I hope your right but personally I cant see it, but have been wrong plenty of times in the past
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Ashley Klein gave the Cows a huge leg up against the Panthers Friday night.
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#bouncebackfactor
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Packer certainly made a difference…
Our Pack matched if not bettered the Cows…
