Joe's Magpies
Juniors
- Messages
- 601
NEW Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter is prepared to pin his faith on a 20-year-old with just five NRL appearances to cure the team's halves conundrum.
Virtually overlooked for first grade despite leading the Tigers NYC feeder team to premiership glory last year, Jacob Miller now has the inside running to partner Benji Marshall in round one.
Having recovered from off-season groin surgery, Miller completed his first full training session yesterday as the Tigers' top-choice scrum base combination was revealed.
One of eight different halves who lined up alongside Marshall last year, Tim Moltzen is set to return to his favoured position of fullback.
After spending most of his career at No.6, experienced recruit Braith Anasta will start at lock.
That leaves Miller with a golden opportunity to prove his wares after the let-down of playing just 40 minutes at NRL level in 2012.
"He's a level-headed kid and he knows he needs to perform," Potter said yesterday.
"He also needs to be allowed to make a few mistakes, because young players will make mistakes. The main thing is that they learn from them and you can cope with that. He'll get a good run."
The coach also indicated Anasta - recently voted into the club's six-man leadership group - would provide direction for Miller, a former Roosters clubmate.
"Braith can provide some guidance for Jacob, his experience around the middle will be great for us," Potter said.
Unable to join ball work at yesterday's first hit-out of 2013 because of a bruised bone in his foot, Anasta agreed the time was ripe for him to shift from the halves.
"I can worry about my own job now and not having to lead the team around," the 30-year-old said.
"I had some success running off Todd Carney in the back row in 2010, and we've got similar players in Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah. They both play off the cuff and that's how I like to play as well.
"In the early and mid part of my career I definitely preferred five-eighth, but all that changed when I moved in 2010. I would have still been playing back row if Todd (Carney) had stayed at the Roosters. I only went back to five-eighth last year because there was no other option."
Anasta said he was "humbled" to join Aaron Woods, Sean Meaney, Chris Lawrence, Farah and Marshall in the leadership group just three months after his arrival.
The former Roosters skipper conceded his career was in a "comfort zone" at Bondi, where he enjoyed greater control over his training program and workload.
"It's been a bit of a wake-up call for me," Anasta said.
"Without even noticing you take things for granted.
"This is the hardest I've trained in a long, long time.
"Coming here I've had to earn my stripes and the respect of the other players.
"You do what you are told, there's no luxury of picking and choosing."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...-tigers-halfback/story-e6freuy9-1226549168186
Sounds Promising. Hopefully Tedesco gets the fullback job and not Moltzen.
Virtually overlooked for first grade despite leading the Tigers NYC feeder team to premiership glory last year, Jacob Miller now has the inside running to partner Benji Marshall in round one.
Having recovered from off-season groin surgery, Miller completed his first full training session yesterday as the Tigers' top-choice scrum base combination was revealed.
One of eight different halves who lined up alongside Marshall last year, Tim Moltzen is set to return to his favoured position of fullback.
After spending most of his career at No.6, experienced recruit Braith Anasta will start at lock.
That leaves Miller with a golden opportunity to prove his wares after the let-down of playing just 40 minutes at NRL level in 2012.
"He's a level-headed kid and he knows he needs to perform," Potter said yesterday.
"He also needs to be allowed to make a few mistakes, because young players will make mistakes. The main thing is that they learn from them and you can cope with that. He'll get a good run."
The coach also indicated Anasta - recently voted into the club's six-man leadership group - would provide direction for Miller, a former Roosters clubmate.
"Braith can provide some guidance for Jacob, his experience around the middle will be great for us," Potter said.
Unable to join ball work at yesterday's first hit-out of 2013 because of a bruised bone in his foot, Anasta agreed the time was ripe for him to shift from the halves.
"I can worry about my own job now and not having to lead the team around," the 30-year-old said.
"I had some success running off Todd Carney in the back row in 2010, and we've got similar players in Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah. They both play off the cuff and that's how I like to play as well.
"In the early and mid part of my career I definitely preferred five-eighth, but all that changed when I moved in 2010. I would have still been playing back row if Todd (Carney) had stayed at the Roosters. I only went back to five-eighth last year because there was no other option."
Anasta said he was "humbled" to join Aaron Woods, Sean Meaney, Chris Lawrence, Farah and Marshall in the leadership group just three months after his arrival.
The former Roosters skipper conceded his career was in a "comfort zone" at Bondi, where he enjoyed greater control over his training program and workload.
"It's been a bit of a wake-up call for me," Anasta said.
"Without even noticing you take things for granted.
"This is the hardest I've trained in a long, long time.
"Coming here I've had to earn my stripes and the respect of the other players.
"You do what you are told, there's no luxury of picking and choosing."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...-tigers-halfback/story-e6freuy9-1226549168186
Sounds Promising. Hopefully Tedesco gets the fullback job and not Moltzen.
