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Will Moses Mbye have to turn into the Tigers’ super sub?
By Adam Pengilly
March 3, 2021 — 6.02pmA candid Moses Mbye said he is still baffled about what his best position is as he faces up to the reality of becoming the Wests Tigers’ super sub, a role he argues will be “really important” in the modern game.
Just days after summer recruit Daine Laurie sparkled at fullback in the Tigers’ trial thrashing of Manly, Mbye hinted he could reinvent his own game to suit Michael Maguire’s plans in a squad suddenly brimming with competition for spots.
Mbye, 27, is trying to overcome a hamstring complaint to be fit for the Tigers’ season-opener against the Raiders, which will force Maguire to tinker with his line-up with first-choice five-eighth Adam Doueihi suspended.
It will be almost impossible for Maguire to leave Penrith recruit Laurie out of his round one team despite former captain Mbye spending the entire pre-season preparing to wear the No.1 jumper.
“We’re working a few things out at the minute and trying to see what fits best for our team,” Mbye said. “You watch those guys on the weekend, I feel like an older fella trying to match it with the younger fellas now.
“I’ve been trying to work out where I want to play and where I’m best suited for a large part of my career. I still haven’t worked it out.
“Daine showed some really good form and we’re without Doueihi so I could possibly find myself at six [in round one] and going forward I could even find myself at 14 and making that my role. The game has changed a bit too and we don’t really know what we’re going to get with the rule changes.”
Mbye has primarily played at fullback and centre during his Tigers stint but has even been used at hooker, such is his versatility.
But it was his breakthrough in the State of Origin arena as a bench utility which could pave the way for a new phase of his NRL career, particularly with the forecast increased speed of the game this season.
“You never know until you get there, but I see it as a really important role,” Mbye said. “It’s hard to say [if I’ll be there]. Madge keeps his cards pretty close to his chest, but time will tell and we’ll find out then.
“To be honest I’ve had a really good pre-season, the best I’ve had in a long time. I feel fit and have got myself in really good shape.”
Mbye has missed the opening round in the last two years with minor injuries and still has a year to run on his lucrative deal with the Tigers after this season.
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Mbye as a Super Sub would be the best outcome I think.
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As long as he turns up during matches I’ll be happy.
I was actually hoping he would work out but for some reason he hasn’t.
I get the feeling that both Mbye and Packer will perform this year and it may be the last year with the tigers for mbye.
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Groundhog day. He’s been given every opportunity to cement a spot and can’t nail one down. 14 is probably he’s only hope but this will be at the detriment of Jake Simpkin. Thats a worrying proposition. Madge has a big call to make. Left right out is his best position.
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Where does that leave Simpkin?
Big decisions this year. Mbye would cover a backline injury far better, but Simpkin is a far better hooker sub.
No way these 2 make the bench together
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@mike said in Will Mbye have to turn into the Tigers’ super sub?:
MBye as a Super Sub would be the best outcome I think.
Spare me … the new recruits have brought a paradigm shift in attitude and commitment, Mbye is a real issue for us moving forward - despite being handed the Captaincy he showed no enthusiasm or verbal ability to rally the troops…
We’re only talking “super sub” because of the coin he is on for the next 2 seasons otherwise he’d be put out to pasture. He has no mental strength.
At 27 years old and 3rd year into a huge contract he doesn’t know what his position is? -
I do like the bloke, just think he offers my team zilch. Backup at best. Leave him in reggies and hope he wants out. Waste of a spot in the squad. Mid season swap for Hastings would be nice
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Mbye will play a role for our WT throughout the year and almost certainly be picked each and every week that he is fit and available for selection. Bitching about his pay isn’t going to change anything.
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He just rolled over and let a player win his fullback position when they’ve been at the club for a few weeks of pre seasons and 2 trial games.
I’ll play him at 6 round 1, then Interchange 14 following on from that.
Just pretty upsetting because I believe young Simpkins will do damage this year coming on with tired legs from DH.
But I also guess that Mbye can also scoot around and do that.
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He’s the perfect 14, can cover anywhere in the spine and can play in the centres. Simpkin is good but he’s 19, if the team is stronger with Mbye on the bench that’s the way to go. Simpkin has plenty of time to continue developing and stake his claim but he can only cover 1 position
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Moses it too talented for his own good.
Not too many blokes can rack up nearly 150 games across five positions and make origin.
In a club with little depth, it easy for a guy like him to get shuffled around like a pack of Uno cards on family game night and never really settle into a position.
Nevertheless, it’s going to be hard for him to cement a spot under Madge. He would see him as part of the old guard that are slowly getting moved on.
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Sounds like he’s going to play 6 round 1, what happens from there is anyone’s guess.
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@jc99 said in Will Mbye have to turn into the Tigers’ super sub?:
He’s the perfect 14, can cover anywhere in the spine and can play in the centres. Simpkin is good but he’s 19, if the team is stronger with Mbye on the bench that’s the way to go. Simpkin has plenty of time to continue developing and stake his claim but he can only cover 1 position
“Can Play in the centre’s” is subjective. I saw him struggle in the centre’s last year and we have far better
Honestly could only see him play fullback this year and Laurie has taken that with both hands in a little over a month of being at the club
I want Mbye to work but I don’t see where. Simpkin has the world at his feet and can be destructive at the back end of games I feel
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For round one I’d have Mbye @ 6,coming up against one of the best sixes in the comp could be a bridge to far for Madden. Last weeks trial even thou the opposition was ordinary showed WT’S are a better team this year and need to hit the ground winning with some very competitive games happening early its imperative we keep the tradition of good early form and wins going.
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@the_third said in Will Mbye have to turn into the Tigers’ super sub?:
Where does that leave Simpkin?
Big decisions this year. Mbye would cover a backline injury far better, but Simpkin is a far better hooker sub.
No way these 2 make the bench together
My take is a hooker sub is going to get a lot more game time than a utility sub. I suppose Mbye can also play hooker.
I reckon Mbye will get the bench spot but I’d prefer Simpkin.
