Wests Tigers don't know how Titans will respond to cocaine scandal
Adrian Proszenko
Published: February 26, 2015 - 9:00PM
Wests Tigers admit they have no idea how the cocaine scandal will affect round one opponents Gold Coast and have made a pact not to let the Titans' dramas affect their own preparations.
The Tigers officially launched their season at Waterview in Bicentennial Park on Thursday, ushering in a new era under coach Jason Taylor. The former halfback's first game in charge of the joint-venture club will be at Cbus Stadium against a side still reeling from drugs supply charges levelled against five current players, including Greg Bird, David Taylor and Beau Falloon.
Taylor expressed sympathy for the Queensland club but said he wouldn't spend a single moment thinking about their plight. "We can't, we won't be spending any time thinking about where those guys are at," Taylor said. "I am sure it is difficult for them and I feel for their club and their supporters. But we just have to focus on what we're about.
"It was about us focusing on what we have to do and ensuring the boys weren't waking up each day and wondering where all the dramas were at, because that will take our mind off the job we have ahead of us. We have had that conversation and that's all we will say about it."
Tigers captain Robbie Farah said he was "concerned" about long-time Blues teammate Greg Bird but didn't want to buy into the controversy. Asked if he thought the drugs dramas could galvanise the opposition, the veteran hooker said: "It could, it could go either way, I don't know. I don't know how they are going to react, I don't know how their players are feeling ... We see it, we hear about it, but we're not too concerned. We can't control what they do and how they are going to play on the night. For us, we've just got to take care of what we're doing, that's the only thing we're in control of.
"Our preparation is key. An away game in round one is always tough no matter what. We've got to start well and that's something we're looking to do."
The absence of key Titans personnel will ensure the Sydney side goes into the match as warm favourites. However, Tigers forward Martin Taupau wishes the Gold Coast had their full complement. The New Zealand international was stretchered off in the Four Nations final with a neck injury but has one vivid recollection from the victory against the Kangaroos. "What I do remember is off a drop out, getting the ball and running straight at Greg Bird and putting him on his arse," Taupau said. "If he does play round one, I'll be looking forward to that."
The Tigers have put in a solid preseason under Taylor, winning both their trials and producing solid performances in the Auckland Nines. "We have some trial footage from the Titans," Taylor said. "We will have a bit of a look at that and we will expect them to play well. They won't change the way they play. Whatever they have been working on in the pre-season with their structures, regardless of who is in or out, they will continue to play that way.
"Knowing the sort of attack they are going to present to us and what we're going to be dealing with, that really doesn't change that much if you take some guys out and put some in. They might not do it quite as well because of those guys being out, but it still means we can prepare for them to play well and play the style of footy they have played in their last few games."
This story was found at:
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...spond-to-cocaine-scandal-20150226-13pule.html
