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VETERAN Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has been around long enough to know that the 2010 NRL season is a case of now or never for his under-achieving side.
The Tigers have not reached the finals since their premiership triumph in 2005, and, with many of the team's once promising youngsters now seasoned first-graders, Sheens, in the final year of his contract, knows it's time for his players to stand up and deliver.
Seven wins in their last nine games were not quite enough to clinch a top-eight spot in 2009, but there was evidence in the latter part of the season to suggest the Tigers can be serious contenders in 2010.
"I suppose our form at the end of last season has generated some excitement for our supporters and sponsors and we are all fully aware that we need to make the eight this season," Sheens said.
"In the last few seasons we have invested a lot of faith in our young players and in Keith Galloway, Chris Lawrence, Tim Moltzen we have three outstanding young talents who have shown they are more than comfortable at this level. Now they must take it to the next level."
Related Coverage
Benji labels Lui a freak Fox Sports, 5 days ago
Tigers turning 'professional' The Australian, 6 days ago
Mail on Lote for round one return Daily Telegraph, 6 days ago
Lui wants first shot at halfback Daily Telegraph, 10 Feb 2010
Sheens hints he might wing it on Tuqiri Daily Telegraph, 5 Feb 2010
The signing of English workhorse Gareth Ellis was an unqualified success last year, with the 28-year-old second-rower enjoying a fine first campaign in the NRL.
And Sheens is confident the acquisition of dual international Lote Tuqiri will have a similar effect on his side, which will again look to the organising and creative skills of Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall.
"He is obviously a great talent, but he hasn't played in the NRL for eight years so we can't expect him to be up to speed immediately," Sheens said.
"But I am looking forward to working with him and he will be a huge asset to us."
Sheens hinted Tuqiri could play at fullback and admitted he is reluctant to blood exciting young halfback Robert Lui too soon, despite playing the 20-year-old in three of the last four games of last season.
"He is a fabulous talent, who is as exciting as anyone I have seen with ball in hand, but we have to be careful not to give him too much too soon," he said.
"Young (Daniel) Mortimer at Parramatta did very well last season, but Daniel Anderson did not start him until midway through the season and that was probably the right thing to do.
"Moltzen did very well at halfback alongside Benj (Benji Marshall) last year so we do have options with Lote, Shannon Gallant and also Mitch Brown who has joined us from Cronulla and impressed.
"Once Robert is up to speed with Robbie (Farah) and Benj, he will be a great player but we are keen to look after him and not expose him to too much too soon."
WESTS TIGERS PREVIEW
Year entered premiership: 2000
Premierships: 1 - 2005
Finishes over the past three years: 2009 - 9th, 2008 - 10th, 2007 - 9th
Coach: Tim Sheens
Captain: Robbie Farah
Gains: Lote Tuqiri (Leicester, English rugby union), Jason Cayless (St Helens), Geoff Daniela (Penrith), Mark Flanagan (Wigan), Mitch Brown (Cronulla), Daniel Fitzhenry (Hull KR), Liam Fulton (Huddersfield), Junior Moors (Penrith), Arana Taumata (unattached), Tame Tupou (Bradford)
Losses: Dene Halatau (Bulldogs), John Skandalis (retired), Dean Collis (Cronulla), John Morris (Cronulla), Shannon Gallant (Nth Qld), Peni Tagive (St George Illawarra), Daine Laurie (Penrith), Danny Galea (Canberra) Rocky Trimarchi (Celtic Crusaders), Rhys Hanbury (Celtic Crusaders).
Money Man: Benji Marshall. Showed glimpses of his best form in the latter end of last season as the Tigers just missed out on the finals with a red-hot run of form. The run coincided with Marshall's return to five-eighth and with the New Zealand star certain to start the season wearing the No.6 shirt, he must fire consistently to ensure the Tigers make the finals for the first time in five years.
One to watch: Lote Tuqiri. Returning to the NRL after an eight-year absence in rugby union, Tuqiri bolsters an already explosive backline. But with try machine Taniela Tuiaki set to miss the start of the season with an ankle injury, the dual international winger will be expected to fill the big void left by the New Zealander.
Best team: Tim Moltzen, Taniela Tuiaki, Blake Ayshford, Chris Lawrence, Lote Tuqiri, Benji Marshall, Robert Lui, Keith Galloway, Robbie Farah, Bryce Gibbs, Todd Payten, Gareth Ellis, Chris Heighington. Interchange: Jason Cayless, Liam Fulton, Arana Taumata, Daniel Fitzhenry.
Betting: Centrebet $12, TAB SportsBet $13.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...igers-tim-sheens/story-e6frexnr-1225833383331
This f**k wit has no idea at all - he still thinks Gallant is with us.
Faith.,..........
The Tigers have not reached the finals since their premiership triumph in 2005, and, with many of the team's once promising youngsters now seasoned first-graders, Sheens, in the final year of his contract, knows it's time for his players to stand up and deliver.
Seven wins in their last nine games were not quite enough to clinch a top-eight spot in 2009, but there was evidence in the latter part of the season to suggest the Tigers can be serious contenders in 2010.
"I suppose our form at the end of last season has generated some excitement for our supporters and sponsors and we are all fully aware that we need to make the eight this season," Sheens said.
"In the last few seasons we have invested a lot of faith in our young players and in Keith Galloway, Chris Lawrence, Tim Moltzen we have three outstanding young talents who have shown they are more than comfortable at this level. Now they must take it to the next level."
Related Coverage
Benji labels Lui a freak Fox Sports, 5 days ago
Tigers turning 'professional' The Australian, 6 days ago
Mail on Lote for round one return Daily Telegraph, 6 days ago
Lui wants first shot at halfback Daily Telegraph, 10 Feb 2010
Sheens hints he might wing it on Tuqiri Daily Telegraph, 5 Feb 2010
The signing of English workhorse Gareth Ellis was an unqualified success last year, with the 28-year-old second-rower enjoying a fine first campaign in the NRL.
And Sheens is confident the acquisition of dual international Lote Tuqiri will have a similar effect on his side, which will again look to the organising and creative skills of Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall.
"He is obviously a great talent, but he hasn't played in the NRL for eight years so we can't expect him to be up to speed immediately," Sheens said.
"But I am looking forward to working with him and he will be a huge asset to us."
Sheens hinted Tuqiri could play at fullback and admitted he is reluctant to blood exciting young halfback Robert Lui too soon, despite playing the 20-year-old in three of the last four games of last season.
"He is a fabulous talent, who is as exciting as anyone I have seen with ball in hand, but we have to be careful not to give him too much too soon," he said.
"Young (Daniel) Mortimer at Parramatta did very well last season, but Daniel Anderson did not start him until midway through the season and that was probably the right thing to do.
"Moltzen did very well at halfback alongside Benj (Benji Marshall) last year so we do have options with Lote, Shannon Gallant and also Mitch Brown who has joined us from Cronulla and impressed.
"Once Robert is up to speed with Robbie (Farah) and Benj, he will be a great player but we are keen to look after him and not expose him to too much too soon."
WESTS TIGERS PREVIEW
Year entered premiership: 2000
Premierships: 1 - 2005
Finishes over the past three years: 2009 - 9th, 2008 - 10th, 2007 - 9th
Coach: Tim Sheens
Captain: Robbie Farah
Gains: Lote Tuqiri (Leicester, English rugby union), Jason Cayless (St Helens), Geoff Daniela (Penrith), Mark Flanagan (Wigan), Mitch Brown (Cronulla), Daniel Fitzhenry (Hull KR), Liam Fulton (Huddersfield), Junior Moors (Penrith), Arana Taumata (unattached), Tame Tupou (Bradford)
Losses: Dene Halatau (Bulldogs), John Skandalis (retired), Dean Collis (Cronulla), John Morris (Cronulla), Shannon Gallant (Nth Qld), Peni Tagive (St George Illawarra), Daine Laurie (Penrith), Danny Galea (Canberra) Rocky Trimarchi (Celtic Crusaders), Rhys Hanbury (Celtic Crusaders).
Money Man: Benji Marshall. Showed glimpses of his best form in the latter end of last season as the Tigers just missed out on the finals with a red-hot run of form. The run coincided with Marshall's return to five-eighth and with the New Zealand star certain to start the season wearing the No.6 shirt, he must fire consistently to ensure the Tigers make the finals for the first time in five years.
One to watch: Lote Tuqiri. Returning to the NRL after an eight-year absence in rugby union, Tuqiri bolsters an already explosive backline. But with try machine Taniela Tuiaki set to miss the start of the season with an ankle injury, the dual international winger will be expected to fill the big void left by the New Zealander.
Best team: Tim Moltzen, Taniela Tuiaki, Blake Ayshford, Chris Lawrence, Lote Tuqiri, Benji Marshall, Robert Lui, Keith Galloway, Robbie Farah, Bryce Gibbs, Todd Payten, Gareth Ellis, Chris Heighington. Interchange: Jason Cayless, Liam Fulton, Arana Taumata, Daniel Fitzhenry.
Betting: Centrebet $12, TAB SportsBet $13.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...igers-tim-sheens/story-e6frexnr-1225833383331
This f**k wit has no idea at all - he still thinks Gallant is with us.
Faith.,..........
