'14 - Round 9 v Roosters (Team Lists)

[Ron's_Mate]

Wests Tigers face test of mettle as Roosters take flight

Michael Chammas
Published: May 8, 2014 - 4:35PM

The Wests Tigers are flying high in the top four but coach Mick Potter says Friday night's clash against the premiers will be his side's biggest test of the season.

The Roosters will be buoyed by the recovery of James Maloney and Michael Jennings, who missed the representative round after suffering injuries in the round-eight game against the Dragons on Anzac Day.

Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will still be stinging after missing out on selection for the New Zealand Test team, when Tigers prop Martin Taupau earned his maiden Kiwis jersey at his expense.

Potter says that will only add to the difficulty of toppling the reigning champions at Allianz Stadium.

"No doubt, yeah, I think it is [the biggest test]," Potter said. "There's a few guys in their team with points to prove in regards to international selection. I rate the players that are at the Roosters and it's going to be one hell of a game. I'm looking forward to watching it and hopefully a lot of people get there."

With Braith Anasta missing with an ankle injury, and Mitchell Moses stood down for his comments during last weekend's under-20s State of Origin, Potter has opted to partner Blake Austin with Luke Brooks in the halves.

Austin has provided plenty of impact coming off the bench at hooker in the past fortnight, and Potter says the former Panther will add some spark to the halves having trained alongside Brooks before the start of the competition.

"They've done quite a bit together in pre-season and they look very sharp," Potter said.

"I look forward to them combining. Blake Austin has been very good in state cup and has helped win them a couple of games. He's been very good coming on at hooker the last couple of games. I'm looking forward to him playing at six."

Tigers prop Aaron Woods will get another opportunity to prove himself as an Origin player as he lines up against Kiwis prop Sam Moa and New Zealand discard Waerea-Hargreaves.

"Aaron's played good the whole year and I don't expect anything less from him the way his form has been," Potter said. "I think he'll maintain that. I hope he gets selected in NSW. It's not for me to say who or how he gets picked, but I think he's doing a great job for us. He's playing long minutes and doing everything right."

The Tigers will be without Anasta, James Tedesco, Curtis Sironen, James Gavet and skipper Robbie Farah, however, there's a suggestion Farah might make a shock return against the Roosters.

Potter said the week off for the representative round was a blessing.

"It came at the right time and we could probably do with a couple more weeks off to get a few more back," he said. "We have a good team and we're up against a strong and in-form Roosters team. We're looking forward to the challenge."

Potter also said the club would appeal the $20,000 fine handed down by the NRL for breaching the concussion rules in round five, when Liam Fulton was allowed to play on after copping a head knock.

“I think our medical staff did everything possible and the right thing on the day,” he said. “I think Grant's looking at it. I think we've got a good case. I thought [Fulton] was OK, as did our medical staff. I don't think there's any question really.

“I was [shocked] that there was even an investigation into it.”

This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...e-as-roosters-take-flight-20140508-zr6wo.html

 

[Vic Mackey]

Fulton out really Screws everything up. I'd imagine he was going to play some hooker. No idea what we'll do as Luani doesn't look capable of 80. Maybe farlow will come in? Otherwise buchanan and someone like Thompson may fill in at hooker.

Jesus Christ we are depleted in play making positions. Farah, tedesco, sironen, anasta, Molzten, Fulton and Moses ALL out. Even 1 of those guys fit would make a huge difference to the balance of the team.

 

[madunit]

I think we'd more likely see austin cover hooker, lawrence to 6, thompson to centre

 

[Matchball]

Fulton out really Screws everything up. I'd imagine he was going to play some hooker. No idea what we'll do as Luani doesn't look capable of 80. Maybe farlow will come in? Otherwise buchanan and someone like Thompson may fill in at hooker.

Jesus Christ we are depleted in play making positions. Farah, tedesco, sironen, anasta, Molzten, Fulton and Moses ALL out. Even 1 of those guys fit would make a huge difference to the balance of the team.

Fulton never went well out of dummy half. Defensively he is fine but as an attacking option he just doesn't have it.
Lets hope Farah comes back early at the last minute like people are suggesting he will.

 

[Radical Rat]

Moltzen was way in front of where Rowe is at present. Moltzen actually was a good defender and was very good at sniffing out a gap or supporting a half break. Agreed he was average at kick returns and was hot and cold under the high ball, but before he did his last ACL he was close to our best back (in a side playing busted).

Funny thing when he did his first ACL, people were screaming for him to make a comeback in the final series that year. Now Iam not saying he is a world beater, but he is way better than a lot people make him out to be.

The sad thing is we could have kept Mitch Brown for not of lot of money and he would have been great coverage for 1 thru to 4.

As for Rowe he is way off the pace at present and the chooks will target him all night and reap the rewards

Agreed. Moltzen is ten times the player Rowe is. They could both lose you a game but at least Moltzen is capable of winning us one and has done in the past. Rowe adds absolutely nothing to the side. It's just blatantly obvious he is well, well out of his depth.

Mitch Brown would have been perfect for this period. Can't begrudge him for looking for opportunities elsewhere though.

 

[madunit]

Late Mail:

Captain Robbie Farah has been declared by his club as no chance to make a return from an elbow injury, with Joel Luani to keep the No.9 tonight. Farah is more likely to make his comeback next weekend against the Sharks. Back-rower Liam Fulton has been ruled out with a back problem that could keep him sidelined for several weeks, opening the door for Jack Buchanan to play his first NRL game of the season. Blake Austin is back at five-eighth for the injured Braith Anasta and Keith Lulia is in the centres for the suspended Tim Simona.

 

[Tiger05]

Late Mail:

Captain Robbie Farah has been declared by his club as no chance to make a return from an elbow injury, with Joel Luani to keep the No.9 tonight. Farah is more likely to make his comeback next weekend against the Sharks. Back-rower Liam Fulton has been ruled out with a back problem that could keep him sidelined for several weeks, opening the door for Jack Buchanan to play his first NRL game of the season. Blake Austin is back at five-eighth for the injured Braith Anasta and Keith Lulia is in the centres for the suspended Tim Simona.

Its not looking good for tonight. I just hope they turn up but I am not confident at all.

 

[macnaz]

Is this the slowest WT's ever to take the field

 

[madunit]

I was just thinking that our passes are all so slow.

Gotta say, Rowe is having his best game yet, by a long way. Even got involved in a few plays.

 

[BuffaloRules]

Roosters have bombed about 18 tries.

Hope they can limit the for and against damage here.

 

[Tiger05]

Rowe is having his best game yet, by a long way. Even got involved in a few plays.

He was good. He also was nowhere near as bad as he was made out to be the last couple of games.

He isn't at Tedesco's level yet and might not get there but he isn't as bad as he was made out to be.

 

[madunit]

His positioning was a lot better, as was his defence.

They still need more work, but if he can maintain the quality tonight, that will be enough to satisfy me from a replacement fullback.

 

[mepelthwack]

That Jennings second half try, did he knock-on? Did anyone else notice that on the replay after the conversion? Then the metre forward pass in the lead up to the next try. Not saying we should of won, just saying.

Tigers did play better than the scoreline suggested though.

 

[Tiger05]

Then the metre forward pass in the lead up to the next try.

This was so obvious and it was just let go like nothing happened.

 

[Shanghai Charlie]

Um.......he was actually our most dangerous player. A very good game in every aspect. Flawless in fact.

Funny what he can do when he actually has a go instead of letting he game pass him by.

Still prefer Moltzen and I f**king hate Moltzen.

 

[Old Time Tiger]

All things considered - team, combinations, experience both the Tigers and the opposition, I thought they went OK.


Players like Brooks & Austin up against the NSW SOO pair, will hopefully, learn plenty from that.

 

[macnaz]

I was a litle disappointed with the effort but more so in the referees giving in to all the bitching about the Roossters getting hammered in the penalties. .. they hung on and flopped and walked of the mark plus got away with the decades most forward pass AND still won the count.. they were still way better across the park but that BS helped turn it into a walkover

 

[madunit]

Um.......he was actually our most dangerous player. A very good game in every aspect. Flawless in fact.

Funny what he can do when he actually has a go instead of letting he game pass him by.

Still prefer Moltzen and I f**king hate Moltzen.

I would take Tonight's Rowe over Moltzen every time.

He got bombed nearly every second set of six and only missed one (which he contested for anyway).

He saved two tries at least with his tackling.

I've never seen Moltzen that strong in defence, ever.

And Rowe held his own in attack, made a few half breaks, almost got a try after chiming into a backling movement, sweeping around.

His positioning is still not the best but it improved a fair bit tonight.

f**king harsh judges if you want Moltzen over what Rowe did tonight.

Perhaps you'd prefer it if we conceded 50 points instead of 30?

 

[macnaz]

He went ok , I wouldn't say he was brilliant but he did all the basics right which was a massive improvement over revent weeks.
Overall we were never go to defend the rorters out of the game , we needed to have speed to blow them away but picked snails .

 

[Shanghai Charlie]

I would take Tonight's Rowe over Moltzen every time.

He got bombed nearly every second set of six and only missed one (which he contested for anyway).

He saved two tries at least with his tackling.

I've never seen Moltzen that strong in defence, ever.

And Rowe held his own in attack, made a few half breaks, almost got a try after chiming into a backling movement, sweeping around.

His positioning is still not the best but it improved a fair bit tonight.

f**king harsh judges if you want Moltzen over what Rowe did tonight.

Perhaps you'd prefer it if we conceded 50 points instead of 30?

Prefer Moltzen over what Rowe has shown in four games, not just one.
Three shockers and one good game. Prefer Moltzen.