So far in 2026, our most successful attacking shapes come from a
right-edge sweep / fast shift.
The Tigers have repeatedly created tries by moving the ball quickly to the right, with Doueihi engaging the line, Bula linking, and the outside men finishing.
A couple of examples was when we were able to create a big overlap down the right edge against Newcastle, and also a quick-hands right-edge try against the Cowboys.
Right- edge-forward shape with Kai Pearce-Paul has been a big weapon running that channel. Against Parramatta, he was a constant danger which involved two try assists.
Against the Cowboys, Doueihi hit Bula, who then put Pearce-Paul into a yawning gap. That says the Tigers are getting real value from an edge-forward runner plus a link player out the back.
Madden's engaging halfback shape with support through the middle has been an option and I hope Luai can take up where Jock left off.
A lot of their best attack has not been just “set shape to the corner”; it has been Doueihi running hard, breaking the line, then finding Bula or a support runner. Against the Warriors, Doueihi’s break set up Bula, and later he released Luke Laulilii down the right with Madden backing up in support.
Doueihi ran for 226 metres in that game and set up multiple tries. He's been a gem and we/I have underestimated his influence on the team.
We've also have been contesting kicks / aerial-pressure. They’ve also scored off high-ball pressure and second-phase chaos, not just clean passing shapes.
Against the Warriors, Madden’s high kick led to Tavana’s tap-back, then Turuva’s offload, then a Pearce-Paul try.
Tavana forced another error in a high-ball contest in the same match.
Second-phase offloads on the edges and middle ala KPP and Sir Alex made the Tigers look dangerous, it is often because the first edge runner doesn’t die with the ball. Against Parramatta, Pearce-Paul’s offloads directly created tries for Doueihi and Bula.
Imo, their best attacking style in 2026 is a right-side, run-pass-support game, especially through Doueihi, Bula and Pearce-Paul, with the outside backs cashing in.
This surprising attack appears is much stronger for that side than for a settled, Luai-led left-edge block shape, which makes sense given Luai has missed time since Round 3 and the outside-back combinations have shifted.
What I'm feeling, with the inclusion of Luai this weekend, is if the D is stiffling the right side, then Jarome and Fainu will have more room to move on the left and vice-versa, providing Luai doesn't ruin the shape by running too laterally.
The first and second receiver, as a general rule, needs to commit the D.
Tigers by 12.
