An enormous halves name is looming for Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens after a backbone shake-up late in Sunday’s recreation revived the group’s assault.
With the Tigers trailing the Bulldogs 20-6, Sheens made a shock change within the 51st minute, hooking veteran winger David Nofoaluma and injecting playmaker Brandon Wakeham.
Wakeham went to the halves and star five-eighth Adam Doueihi moved to fullback as Charlie Staines shifted to Nofoaluma’s wing.
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Bulldogs hand Tigers third straight loss | 00:55
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It appeared to work because the Tigers laid on three tries in 4 minutes to complete the sport simply 4 factors behind the Dogs.
Prior to the change the Tigers provided up little in assault with rugby league legend Laurie Daley declaring Doueihi’s efficiency at No.6 an “absolute shocker.”
Doueihi was touch-and-go main into Sunday’s recreation at Belmore after he sat out of coaching throughout the week with a foot harm.
He instructed Fox League pre-game that scans revealed he had “a bit of a ligament tear” in his huge toe and “there was a chance” he wasn’t going to play, however he needed to “just deal with the pain.”
But given his shaky efficiency with an harm, Daley instructedSky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast that Sheens shouldn’t think about enjoying Doueihi if he’s ever going right into a recreation once more with restricted preparation.
“It’s just the same old story with the Wests Tigers. They made way too many errors, they put themselves under the pump and they had no resolve in their defence,” Daley mentioned on Monday.
“The Dogs played some really good football and then just fell into a hole — I’m not quite sure what happened to do the Dogs.
“The Tigers found a bit of rhythm with the football and you’ve got to ask where was that early in the contest?
“Adam Doueihi had an absolute shocker yesterday. One thing it’s proved to me, because if he didn’t train throughout the week, if his preparation is not right leading into a game (then) you never pick him again based on that one performance. He played like there was something wrong with him.”
Tigers Press Conference | 06:50
Daley additionally questioned whether or not Doueihi ought to transfer again into the halves to companion Luke Brooks — who took on extra of a five-eighth’s position when Wakeham got here onto the sphere and appeared to unlock his operating recreation.
“I don’t know whether you can keep those two halves together next week — they were going that poor,” Daley mentioned.
“I know they rediscovered some mojo there in the last 15 minutes but up until then they had nothing — absolutely nothing.”
Sheens didn’t wish to focus on the halves change in his post-game press convention however ultimately revealed he made the decision as a result of Wakeham had been coaching with Brooks within the lead-up to the sport.
“We practised that all week. Adam didn’t train all week except for the captain’s run yesterday so it was always with the two boys (who) played together,” he mentioned.
“Things weren’t working for us so I pushed Adam back there.”
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Sheens additionally hinted that Doueihi might stay at fullback after the Tigers’ assault confirmed indicators of life late within the recreation.
“Although I’m not saying he was the superstar but he settles us down a little bit out the back there and he dominates the calls so he might get a bit more time there,” he mentioned.
It makes for an fascinating group checklist Tuesday given Daine Laurie — the Tigers’ first-choice fullback coming into the season — is an opportunity of coming back from a knee harm this week.
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
