Round 23, 2009: Tigers 56 - Sharks 10 @ Toyota Stadium

[peachey]

i WILL be at this game, then racing off to the city to see Sydney FC play Adelaide Utd

i just read our team for tigers match and fergo is not playing again and stapelton is on bench, i thought both these have played really well. does anyone know why fergo has been dropped and stapelton is starting on the bench?

recycled team list, we played on monday, teams who play monday dont have the time to figure our team for next week, expect a few changes

fergo hasnt been dropped, he is having a well deserved rest

 

[Google News]

Wests Tigers pick swimming pool lifeguard Robert Lui to make debut ...

Wests Tigers pick swimming pool lifeguard Robert Lui to make debut ...Melbourne Herald Sun... surviving a Shark attack, the challenge Lui was handed last night after being named to make his NRL debut against Cronulla at Toyota Stadium on Sunday. ...

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/nrl/story/0,27074,25917642-5016554,00.html&usg=AFQjCNHAdNTrzdu4Oy2xicyz4WIHR4pedQ

Wests Tigers pick swimming pool lifeguard Robert Lui to make debut against Sharks
By Josh Massoud
August 12, 2009 12:00am

THANKS to his day job as a lifeguard, Tigers cub Robert Lui knows all about being thrown in at the deep end.

But that's a completely different story to surviving a Shark attack, the challenge Lui was handed last night after being named to make his NRL debut against Cronulla at Toyota Stadium on Sunday.

Gunning for six straight wins, Tigers coach Tim Sheens has elected to gamble on the 19-year-old to fill his side's problematic No. 7 jersey as they strive to continue a remarkable late-season finals surge.

Virtually unknown to all but the dawn paddlers at Drummoyne Olympic pool, the Torres Strait Island youngster was earmarked for the top grade a month ago, according to Tigers assistant coach Royce Simmons.

"He's a mature type of kid - I don't think this will fluster him," Simmons said. "He's been training with us for three or four weeks because we knew there would probably be an injury and he'd come in. He has fit right in at training and has no problems giving the boys orders."

With regular fullback Shannon Gallant ruled out for six weeks, coach Tim Sheens has moved Tim Moltzen back to the No. 1 jersey to accommodate Lui at the base of the scrum.

Lui was plucked from obscurity in Townsville five years ago when Wests Tigers recruitment boss Warren McDonnell spotted the youngster playing a junior club game for local side Centrals.

Impressed with his size and ball skills, McDonnell fast-tracked Lui into the joint-venture's scholarship stream with Gold Goast schoolboy football powerhouse Keebra Park High - Benji Marshall's alma mater.

After finishing his studies in 2007, Lui moved to Sydney's inner west last year.

He has switched between a Tigers Toyota Cup jersey and a pair of Speedos ever since.

With the pool temporarily closed for winter, he now mows lawns for club sponsor Waratah Environmental Service - ironically the same career that Cronulla opposite Scott Porter put on hold to pursue his NRL dream this season.

The softly spoken Lui - who lives in a Tigers billet house in Five Dock - politely declined an interview last night, telling The Daily Telegraph he was under instructions not to talk publicly.

Lui's childhood coaches in Townsville last night recalled tales about his confidence as a junior.

"I'll never forget one match where we had a kid go to hospital and we were down by 18 points," said Ray Foster, one of Lui's coaches at his first junior club, Upper Ross Rams.

"Robert was only 12 at the time but he said to me, 'Don't worry coach, I'll win this game for him'.

"He went out and scored three tries and surely enough, we won."

McDonnell said arrangements were being made for Lui's parents, who live in Mt Isa, and his Townsville-based grandmother to attend Sunday's game.

LUKE O'Donnell's reputation to intimidate will be a bonus when the NSW Origin forward resumes his injury-marred season for the Cowboys against an aggressive Bulldogs on Friday night.

Coach Neil Henry plans to play both O'Donnell and returning centre Ashley Graham against the Bulldogs.

 

[Google News]

ROBERT LUI COMFORTABLE WITH HIS ROLE

Wests TigersROBERT LUI COMFORTABLE WITH HIS ROLEWests TigersLui, who has been named at half-back to face the Sharks this Sunday at Toyota Stadium, enjoyed training with the NRL team and is confident that he will ...and more »

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.weststigers.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=19228&usg=AFQjCNHaX7nl3VPd1q4Gaf3ST8Hxmq1Qzw

ROBERT LUI COMFORTABLE WITH HIS ROLE
August 12, 2009

Wests Tigers debutant Robert Lui says he is comfortable with his role in the team this Sunday, as well as playing along side Benji Marshall.

Lui, who has been named at half-back to face the Sharks this Sunday at Toyota Stadium, enjoyed training with the NRL team and is confident that he will manage his nerves when he takes to the field.

Lui has been a stand-out in the Toyota Cup this season for Wests Tigers, and is the second NYC player following Simon Dwyer to make his first grade debut.

 

[Google News]

Good news for 'Mighty Mouse'

Good news for 'Mighty Mouse'NRL.COM... reshuffle with Moltzen returning to fullback and rookie Robert Lui making his NRL debut in the no.7 jersey for this weekend's clash with Cronulla. ...

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.nrl.com/newsviews/latestnews/newsarticle/tabid/10874/newsid/56243/good-news-for-mighty-mouse/default.aspx&usg=AFQjCNHCTr0v4AfKVUGTYjeRY53btzsxtA

Good news for 'Mighty Mouse'
Ben Blaschke
12 Aug 2009 11:13:00

It has been a miserable week for injured Wests Tigers fullback Shannon ‘Mighty Mouse’ Gallant but he can rest easy today after the club last night threw him an NRL lifeline.

The 23-year-old, currently on a base contract of only $20,000, is set to sign a new one-year-deal this week – just days after a badly broken leg threatened to derail his career.

Gallant’s manager, Martin Tauber, will contact his client today to go over the terms of the Tigers’ offer but they are expected to accept the deal within days.

“I haven’t spoken to Shannon yet – I think he has gone home to Newcastle because he has been given the week off – but I would say that we will accept the offer,” Tauber told NRL.com.

“There was some concern about the opportunities that might come up from other clubs.

“There was one other club that was interested but they will pull the pin now because he will be out for six weeks and nobody knows the result of the injury.

“But this will secure his future.

“He is a good footballer and he deserves his opportunity.”

The Tigers have offered a one-year deal with an option in their favour for 2011 and 2012 having yesterday revised their initial proposal.

Tigers recruitment manager Warren McDonnell called Tauber last night after the club had initially feared they may not be able to offer Gallant enough to stop him from quitting the NRL and joining the police force.

“It was something we were going to talk about earlier this week but unfortunately Shannon was hurt on the weekend so that slowed things up a bit,” Wests Tigers’ chief executive Stephen Humphries said.
“It’s been tough for him and the fact is that he is a player on the fringe of our cap.

“But we’ve certainly given Shannon the best that we can offer which is better than he has had.

“We’re hopeful that it will be finalised.”

It is believed that one sticking point has been whether Gallant accepts a flat salary or a lesser deal with incentives for playing first grade – a deal similar to the one he is on this season.

“If he plays consistent first grade he can get a decent earn,” Humphries said.

“There are a few different ways that we could structure the arrangement and we’re open to that.

“It depends what balance he wants to strike there.”

While Gallant is yet to be considered a certain starter for the Tigers when fit, the leg injury he sustained during last Sunday’s 17-10 win over the Roosters has thrown the club’s plans for a last-minute surge to the finals into disarray.

Having finally struck a balance in the halves with Tim Moltzen at halfback, Gallant’s absence has forced coach Tim Sheens into a drastic reshuffle with Moltzen returning to fullback and rookie Robert Lui making his NRL debut in the no.7 jersey for this weekend’s clash with Cronulla.

Tauber said the Tigers’ problems were evidence of Gallant’s importance to the side this season.

“I know they say his height and stature go against him but he has proven that he has the heart of Richard the Lionheart,” he said.

Humphries said it was unlikely that the Tigers would look elsewhere to finalise their squad for 2010.

“Our focus is really to retain what we think is a pretty good team at the moment,” he said.

“We’ve got a couple of players (John Morris, Dean Collis and Pene Tagive) moving on so it’s just a few players in our top tier and one or two in our second tier that we’re playing with at the moment.”

 

[Google News]

Gallant to miss five to six weeks

Gallant to miss five to six weeksBigPond NewsGallant hobbled off the Sydney Football Stadium midway through the first half of the Tigers' 17-10 NRL win over the Sydney Roosters on Sunday. ...and more »

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Sport/2009/08/11/Gallant_to_miss_five_to_six_weeks_361143.html&usg=AFQjCNE6qq0KAeG-9CHFrKslz452gJ9sxw

Gallant to miss five to six weeks
August 11, 2009 » 12:01am

Wests Tigers fullback Shannon Gallant has been ruled out for five to six weeks after x-rays confirmed he had fractured his left leg.

Gallant hobbled off the Sydney Football Stadium midway through the first half of the Tigers' 17-10 NRL win over the Sydney Roosters on Sunday.

The in-form fullback has fractured the fibula in his left leg, ruling him out until at least the second week of the NRL finals.

The Tigers are currently seventh on the NRL table but locked in an eight-way tussle for the final four places in the finals.

 

[Google News]

Round 23 preview: Sharks v Tigers

Round 23 preview: Sharks v TigersRugby League LiveIt won't get much easier for Cronulla in the run home, with four clashes against finals contenders remaining (although Souths' finals hopes may faded by the ...and more »

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.rugbyleaguelive.com.au/Articles/6241/2009/08/13/Round_23_preview_Sharks_v_Tigers.aspx&usg=AFQjCNF_JkbrgaSvzFem6zTyH5O-l72reQ

Round 23 preview: Sharks v Tigers
Rugbyleaguelive.com
13/08/09

CRONULLA SHARKS v WESTS TIGERS
Sunday 16th August, 2.00pm
Toyota Stadium
Referees: Steve Lyons, Alan Shortall

HEAD TO HEAD
Tigers 11 wins, Sharks 5 wins, 1 draw

FORM GUIDE
Sharks: WLLLLLLBLLWWWWLLLLLL
Tigers: WLWLLWWLBLLLLWLLWWWWW

It’s a year to forget for the Sharks, down and out, with injuries and suspension to star players taking its toll and the wooden spoon now in sight.

It won’t get much easier for Cronulla in the run home, with four clashes against finals contenders remaining (although Souths’ finals hopes may faded by the time they meet the Sharks in round 26).

The Sharks have lost six on the trot, and it looks like becoming seven against Wests – who are chasing a sixth straight win.

That run has propelled the Tigers into the top eight, and they can now secure a finals berth with three wins from their last four games.

By far the easiest of those four will be against Cronulla, making this an absolute must win for Tim Sheens’ men.

IT’S A BIG GAME FOR… Robert Lui

Robert who?

The Tigers have turned to a 19-year-old lifeguard to fill the all-important halfback spot after trialing the likes of John Morris, Benji Marshall and Tim Moltzen in the No.7 jersey.

The Queensland-raised Torres Straight Islander has been training with the team for the best part of a month and now comes into the first grade side thanks to an injury to fullback Shannon Gallant.

Moltzen returns to his old position to cover for Gallant’s absence, with Lui taking on the halfback role beside superstar pivot Marshall.

Marshall will surely take on the bulk of the playmaking duties for Lui’s top grade debut – but if the Toyota Cup star can shine in his step up to NRL football, the Tigers just may have found the missing part of their puzzle in time for the finals.

PUNTERS GUIDE
Head to head: Sharks $3.00; Tigers $1.36
With several big name Sharks stuck on the injured list (see below), not to mention a couple of bad boys no longer at the club, Cronulla just doesn’t have the talent left to compete with the NRL’s form teams.

The Tigers are one of them, and they should win this one easily. Wests by 16.

CASUALTY WARD
Sharks: Ben Ross – neck (season), Brett Kearney – foot (season), Reece Williams – concussion (indefinite), Jacob Selmes – ankle (season), Trent Barrett – cheekbone (season), Anthony Tupou – hamstring (Rnd 24)
Tigers: Blake Lazarus – knee (season), Peni Tagive – shoulder (season), Dene Halatau – knee (Rnd 24), Shannon Gallant – leg (indefinite)

BAD BOYS
Sharks: Reni Maitua – drug ban (2 seasons)
Tigers: -

TEAM LISTS
SHARKS: Bronx Goodwin, Misi Taulapapa, Ben Pomeroy, Mitch Brown, Luke Covell, Matthew Wright, Scott Porter, Kade Snowden, Corey highes, Luke Douglas, Jack Afamasaga, Grant Millington, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Ian Donnelly, Bryan Norrie, Nathan Stapleton, Terence Seu Seu
TIGERS: Tim Moltzen, Taniela Tuiaki, Blake Ayshford, Chris Lawrence, Beau Ryan, Benji Marshall, Robert Lui, Bryce Gibbs, Robbie Farah, Keith Galloway, Gareth Ellis, Todd Payten, Chris Heighington. Interchange: John Morris, Danny Galea, Corey Payne, John Skandalis, Dean Collis (one to be omitted).

 

[Google News]

Laurie Daley and foxsports.com.au preview the crucial round 23 of ...

Laurie Daley and foxsports.com.au preview the crucial round 23 of ...Fox SportsCronulla's rookie halfback Scott Porter, who has impressed in 10 games this season, should revel at the chance to take on Tigers debutant No.7 Robert Lui. ...

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25923310-23214,00.html&usg=AFQjCNF7CMldZ26T01NPojVOVkPyPbEDFA

Laurie Daley and foxsports.com.au preview the crucial round 23 of the NRL
23
August 13, 2009

<EDITED> Full article can be found here

Cronulla v Wests Tigers, Sunday 2pm (EST), Toyota Stadium
Wests Tigers are one of several teams in the NRL threatening to prove it's not how you start but how you finish. Their five straight wins, characterised by electric pace and ball movement, has catapulted the serial underachievers into seventh on point’s differential. Ricky Stuart's team have been working overtime on the tackling bags this week, but there is little evidence to suggest they can get near the Tigers, who have won five of the last six matches played between the two. Cronulla’s rookie halfback Scott Porter, who has impressed in 10 games this season, should revel at the chance to take on Tigers debutant No.7 Robert Lui. But while the Sharks will see Lui as an opportunity to shake up the visitors' attack, the youngster could not ask for a better combination to start his career alongside – Robbie Farah to the left, and Benji Marshall to the right!

Laurie says: West Tigers are in the eight for the first time in a long time and on a roll. Injuries and suspensions have played havoc on the Sharks all season and it’s hard to see them getting back in the winner’s list against the in-form Tigers. West Tigers are shooting for six straight and I think they will do it in style.

<EDITED>

 

[Google News]

Round 23, 2009: Sharks v Tigers @ Toyota Stadium

Sheens's rookie driven by familyThe AustralianBut Lui's motivation to turn it on against Cronulla at Toyota Stadium not only stems from his desire to make a successful first-grade debut and keep the ...

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25921023-5012431,00.html&usg=AFQjCNHm7FbBm8KuWeK5WR9UNqyTVxgiZA

Sheens's rookie driven by family
Brent Read
August 13, 2009

JUST like Andrew Johns -- the player he grew up idolising -- Wests Tigers rookie Robert Lui wants to produce some magic on Sunday.

But Lui's motivation to turn it on against Cronulla at Toyota Stadium not only stems from his desire to make a successful first-grade debut and keep the Tigers finals charge alive.

His grandmother, who is expected to travel down from Townsville with his parents for the game, will celebrate her 70th birthday next week and the 19-year-old wants to make sure he gives her something to remember.

"Hopefully, she can come down and I can put on some magic for her," Lui said.

Lui has been among the form players in the Toyota Cup this season, but even he was surprised when coach Tim Sheens called him into his office on Tuesday. Lui thought he was in for a dressing down. Instead, he was told to prepare himself for a step up into NRL.

With fullback Shannon Gallant injured, Sheens opted to move regular half Tim Moltzen to fullback. Lui will now partner another of his idols -- Benji Marshall -- in the halves.

"He sat me down and said 'look up there, your name is on the board'," Lui said.

"It didn't really sink in until he shook my hand. I just like to play pretty much my attacking game -- real quick.

"I try to play like the likes of Benji. I watch his videos -- Scotty Prince as well. Andrew Johns was my big idol growing up.

"I like to play like him."

Tigers recruitment manager Warren McDonnell discovered Lui in Townsville after receiving a tip from Tony Martin, coach of Centrals in the local competition.

He played a handful of games last year in the Toyota Cup before becoming a fixture this year, guiding the Tigers' under-20s into the top four.

"Tim (Sheens) has been watching him pretty closely for the last month in case someone went down," Tigers Toyota Cup coach Grant Jones said.

"He gets across the ground well. He's got those nice silky skills -- a nice pass and a nice kick.

"He's been a bit of a go-to man."

His ascent to first grade comes at a pivotal time in the Tigers season. The club needs to win at least two of its final four games to qualify for the finals. A victory over the Sharks would put them on the cusp of its first finals series in four years.

Sheens has already acknowledged he is taking a risk by breaking up the halves partnership which has guided the club within sight of the finals. Lui expects to be nervous.

"I'll probably get nervous but when I touch the ball I will switch on straight to footy," he said.

 

[Google News]

Lui lines up for Wests Tigers' debut

Lui lines up for Wests Tigers' debutThe AgeLui will make his NRL debut against Cronulla on Sunday, the Townsville junior getting a crack at the Tigers No.7 jumper courtesy of a broken leg to Shannon ...

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-sport/lui-lines-up-for-wests-tigers-debut-20090813-ejow.html&usg=AFQjCNFv7FfwWKLFyRemqUt_NlstOPrUZg

Lui lines up for Wests Tigers' debut
Steve Jancetic
August 13, 2009 - 5:54PM

Teenage NRL debutant Robert Lui is anything but a fill-in - he's the man Wests Tigers officials have earmarked to partner Benji Marshall for years to come.

Lui will make his NRL debut against Cronulla on Sunday, the Townsville junior getting a crack at the Tigers No.7 jumper courtesy of a broken leg to Shannon Gallant.

But the 19-year-old is no stop-gap measure, given stop-gap measures don't normally get tied to four-year contracts while still in their teens.

No, Lui is seen as the real deal, and he has four weeks to prove he's the answer to a problem that had vexed the Tigers since Scott Prince upped stumps and headed for the Gold Coast.

"I don't want too much pressure on the kid, but he's got a lot of class," assistant coach Royce Simmons said.

"I don't think he'll play too much lower grade football after this week. That's a pretty big wrap to give a player.

"He's a very mature young bloke who will take the field with a lot of confidence and won't be too scared to tell the forwards where to go and won't be too scared to demand the ball."

Asked if the spot was his to lose, Simmons said: "There's only four rounds left in the competition and you're in the starting line-up.

"I think you're in a good position to be in the starting line-up next year."

Brought to Sydney as a 15-year-old, Lui has impressed the Tigers with every step of his development, so much so that they've already got him tied up until the end of the 2011 season, with an option for 2012 in the club's favour.

Coach Tim Sheens brought him into train with the top squad a month ago with a view to having him on standby for an injury in the halves.

But so impressive have his performances been since then that Sheens has opted to move Tim Moltzen - who has been the halfback during the Tigers' current five-match winning streak - to fullback to replace Gallant, with Lui coming in at the scrumbase.

"He's played well all year in the under-20s," Simmons said.

"But particularly the last month since we've rewarded him by bringing him into training, his attitude has been very good and he's played very good in that time."

Worried about upsetting the chemistry four weeks out from the finals and with the side finally having cracked the top eight, Sheens consulted his senior players before bringing Lui into the team.

He need not have worried.

"Coach asked us if we had the confidence in bringing Robbie up into first grade and we were 100 per cent behind that," skipper Robbie Farah said.

"He deserves his opportunity, he's got the backing of us boys in first grade.

"We're just looking forward to playing with him now and hopefully he can take the way he's been playing in 20s and bring it into the top grade.

"He's an impressive kid, you see him in the 20s and you know that he's a class above that level."

 

[peachey]

yeeeeeeew, lancen juodo is playing first grade this week

 

[Sir Chadley]

unchanged line up (sticky saving paper), this wont be the team to run out v tigers

Goodwin
Taulapapa
Brown
Pomeroy
Covell
Wright
Porter
Snowden
Hughes
Douglas
Millington
Afamasaga
Gallen

Donnelly
Norrie
Stapleton
Seu Seu

What do you think the line up will be Peach? I hear that Goodwin is battling an injury and Seu Seu is still struggling. Can Ricky bring anyone else from the lower grades to cover and still be within the cap? I've been impressed with Joudo from NYC, I think he would go well in the top grade. Other than that our troops list is looking pretty thin. There was a whisper that Toops was back this week.

yeeeeeeew, lancen juodo is playing first grade this week

We must have been thinking the same thing at the same time Peach. I just posted this possibility. Don't you like him?

 

[Google News]

Cronulla v Wests Tigers

League HQCronulla v Wests TigersLeague HQLui has been a standout in the Toyota Cup, but the Tigers' finals chances hinge on his ability to adapt to the faster pace of the NRL. ...

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/lhqmatchpreview/cronulla-v-wests-tigers/2009/08/13/1249756393204.html&usg=AFQjCNGxsmMQ90Dg2fYkTCXyd4P32Mvi5g

Cronulla v Wests Tigers
Greg Prichard
August 14, 2009

Toyota Park, Sunday 2pm
Referees: Steve Lyons, Alan Shortall
Head to head: Tigers 11, Sharks 5, draw 1
Last clash: Sharks 32-6 at Leichhardt Oval (rd 25, 2008)
TAB Sportsbet: Tigers $1.22, Sharks $4
FootyTAB: Sharks +9.5 points

Five wins in a row have taken the Tigers into the top eight, so now a new battle begins for them - the one to stay there. The key indicators are mostly good. They are playing a team that is running low on gas four rounds out from the end of the end of the regular season - the Sharks have lost six games in a row and have scored at an average just 6.66 points per game in their last three. That is the number of a pretty ordinary beast. Plus, the Tigers have a tremendous recent record against the Sharks, losing only one of the last 10 clashes between the two. It's a Sharks home game, but the Tigers have proved their ability to win at Toyota Stadium in recent years. The Tigers have a win-loss record of only 4-7 on the road this season, but in keeping with their recent revival they have won their last three away games. The Sharks are 3-7 at home.

The sizeable negative for the Tigers going into this game is that they have lost in-form fullback Shannon Gallant to injury. He won't play again this season unless the Tigers make it a couple of weeks into the finals. Coach Tim Sheens came up with a shock when he named the club's Toyota Cup five-eighth, Robert Lui, at halfback for this game, moving Tim Moltzen from halfback to fullback. Moltzen was playing fullback before taking over at halfback midway through the season, and the Tigers have had a settled lineup in the key positions of fullback, five-eighth, halfback and hooker during their winning run. Sheens wouldn't like having to move Moltzen. Five-eighth Benji Marshall will obviously be expected to take plenty of the heat off young Lui in the playmaking department.

Bookmakers have put the Tigers up as short-priced favourites, and if they remain focus they should be able to justify that. The Sharks, again with so many key players missing, don't look to have many points in them..

SHARKS: Nathan Stapleton, Misi Taulapapa, Ben Pomeroy, Mitch Brown, Luke Covell (capt), Matt Wright, Scott Porter, Kade Snowden, Corey Hughes, Luke Douglas, Jak Afamasaga, Grant Millington, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Ian Donnelly, Bryan Norrie, Lancen Joud, TBA.

TIGERS: Tim Moltzen, Taniela Tuiaki, Blake Ayshford, Chris Lawrence, Beau Ryan, Benji Marshall, Robert Lui, Bryce Gibbs, Robbie Farah (capt), Keith Galloway, Gareth Ellis, Todd Payten, Chris Heighington. Interchange: John Morris, Danny Galea, Corey Payne, John Skandalis, Dean Collis (one to be omitted).

 

[peachey]

What do you think the line up will be Peach? I hear that Goodwin is battling an injury and Seu Seu is still struggling. Can Ricky bring anyone else from the lower grades to cover and still be within the cap? I've been impressed with Joudo from NYC, I think he would go well in the top grade. Other than that our troops list is looking pretty thin. There was a whisper that Toops was back this week.

Stapleton in, Goodwin out
Ferguson in, Pom - Bench
Joudo in, Seu Seu out
Tupou in, Donnelly out

one can only hope

We must have been thinking the same thing at the same time Peach. I just posted this possibility. Don't you like him?

quite the opposite, been waiting for this for a while..heard about it last night, cant wait to watch him, will be keen to get to work to tell my mate who played Harold Matts and SG Ball with Joudo

 

[Sir Chadley]

I'm glad you do like him Peach - sorry didn't know what the "yeeeeeeeew" meant?????

He has been killing it in the NYC - but its going to leave them a little short handed as well on the weekend so it could be a long afternoon. Still, I'll be out there showing support and hoping like hell a miracle can happen.

 

[Google News]

Tigers stalk wounded Sharks

Tigers stalk wounded SharksLeague HQFarah said Tigers coach Tim Sheens spoke with the players before deciding to hand Toyota Cup player Robert Lui his first-grade debut against Cronulla at ...

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/lhqnews/tigers-stalk-wounded-sharks/2009/08/13/1249756399230.html&usg=AFQjCNEZNCwkqTkPs_mvOMGdVhCIRkBaZA

Resurgent Tigers stalk wounded Sharks
Greg Prichard
August 14, 2009

WESTS TIGERS captain Robbie Farah does not want to make the mistake of reaching for fool's gold.

The Tigers might have burst into the top eight with four rounds to go, but as far as the representative hooker is concerned, it means nothing at this stage.

Asked at training yesterday what it would mean to him for the Tigers to end three years of frustration by playing finals football for the first time since winning the premiership in 2005, Farah said: ''I don't want to talk about the finals. It's too far away.''

When it was suggested they weren't all that far away, Farah replied: ''A couple of losses and the finals are gone for us. They aren't even within reaching distance at the moment.

''There are eight teams going for those four spots from fifth to eighth, and if we start thinking about finals now, the same thing will happen that has happened for the last three years. We're just thinking about this week, and if we get another win, it will be another step forward.''

In the past three years, the Tigers have been in a position to make the finals during the second half of the season, only to fade out of the top eight during the closing rounds. Now they have done the opposite, and moved into the top eight after looking like they were no chance of making the finals six weeks ago.

You can debate about whether it is better for the Tigers to do it this way, but Farah said if the Tigers started theorising they would only be asking for trouble.

''To be honest, we haven't really looked at the ladder,'' he said. ''I've been trying to steer away from it, otherwise you get distracted. It's pretty close from fifth down to 12th. One loss and you're straight back down and out of it, so I don't think we can feel we're comfortably in the eight. Every week is a must-win game.

''The good thing is that our destiny is in our own hands now. We've got four games to make sure we cement a spot. If we win our games then we'll be in the finals. If we don't then other results come into account, and we're obviously hoping it doesn't reach that stage.''

After five wins in a row, the Tigers are in seventh spot, but, like Farah says, the middle section of the competition table is a minefield.

Fifth-placed Penrith are on 25 points, while the teams placed from sixth to 10th - North Queensland, the Tigers, Manly, Newcastle and Brisbane - are all on 24. South Sydney and Parramatta are 11th and 12th respectively, both on 23 points.

That source of frustration Farah talks about sounds like a valuable motivational tool.

''It's very frustrating,'' he said. ''I've made no secret of it, that I think we've underachieved as a club, and after winning a comp that's unacceptable. So, at the start of the year, I said that nothing short of making the finals is acceptable, and I'm not going to change my mind.

''It's there for us to take the opportunity and get there. It's there if we want it.''

Farah said Tigers coach Tim Sheens spoke with the players before deciding to hand Toyota Cup player Robert Lui his first-grade debut against Cronulla at Toyota Stadium on Sunday. Lui will play halfback, with Tim Moltzen switching to fullback to cover for the injured Shannon Gallant.

''Coach asked us if we were confident about Robbie coming up into first grade, and we were all 100 per cent behind that,'' Farah said. ''He's been killing them in Toyota Cup, and he deserves the opportunity he's got. Hopefully, he can take the way he's been playing in the under-20s and bring it into the top grade.

''He's a good kid, a confident kid. He's got a heap of talent, and I know he's going to enjoy the moment … so it's a special day for him.''

 

[Google News]

Give him two pairs of arms to cling to …League HQMonty Porter, who was Cronulla's first captain back in 1967, will be a special guest of the Sharks and the Men of League organisation at the Sharks-Tigers ...and more »

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/lhqnews/give-him-two-pairs-of-arms-to-cling-to/2009/08/13/1249756399212.html&usg=AFQjCNG8B5hvPlZX9jax7E7p0g56ra7kbA

Give him two pairs of arms to cling to …
Brad Walter and Greg Prichard
August 14, 2009

<EDITED> Full article can be found here

Lui the raw teen

Wests Tigers fans should not regard Robert Lui as an emergency fill-in who will automatically disappear from first grade as soon as fullback Shannon Gallant is fit again. Tigers assistant coach Royce Simmons revealed at training yesterday that the club regarded 19-year-old Lui, who will make his first-grade debut against Cronulla at Toyota Stadium on Sunday, as the club's halfback of the future. ''I don't want to put too much pressure on the kid, but he's got a lot of class,'' Simmons said. ''It's a pretty big rap to give a player, but I don't think he'll play too much lower-grade football after this week. He's a very mature young bloke who will take the field with a lot of confidence and won't be too scared to tell the forwards where to go or to demand the ball.''

<EDITED>

Sharks' special guest

Monty Porter, who was Cronulla's first captain back in 1967, will be a special guest of the Sharks and the Men of League organisation at the Sharks-Tigers game. Cronulla chief executive Richard Fisk said it was another move aimed at bringing the club's ex-players, the local community and the junior league together tighter as a group.

 

[gosharks]

Stapleton in, Goodwin out
Ferguson in, Pom - Bench
Joudo in, Seu Seu out
Tupou in, Donnelly out

one can only hope



quite the opposite, been waiting for this for a while..heard about it last night, cant wait to watch him, will be keen to get to work to tell my mate who played Harold Matts and SG Ball with Joudo

i hope your right thats a good team

 

[Google News]

Lui set to fly long-term as Tigers halfback

Lui set to fly long-term as Tigers halfbackRugby League LiveLui will make his NRL debut against Cronulla on Sunday, the Townsville junior getting a crack at the Tigers No.7 jumper courtesy of a broken leg to Shannon ...and more »

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://rugbyleaguelive.com.au/Articles/6253/2009/08/14/Lui_set_to_fly_longterm_as_Tigers_halfback.aspx&usg=AFQjCNGt5SrW5qpriNMbqf9INZ6ru551CA

Lui set to fly long-term as Tigers halfback
AAP
14/08/09

Teenage NRL debutant Robert Lui is anything but a fill-in - he's the man Wests Tigers officials have earmarked to partner Benji Marshall for years to come.

Lui will make his NRL debut against Cronulla on Sunday, the Townsville junior getting a crack at the Tigers No.7 jumper courtesy of a broken leg to Shannon Gallant.

But the 19-year-old is no stop-gap measure, given stop-gap measures don't normally get tied to four-year contracts while still in their teens.

No, Lui is seen as the real deal, and he has four weeks to prove he's the answer to a problem that had vexed the Tigers since Scott Prince upped stumps and headed for the Gold Coast.

"I don't want too much pressure on the kid, but he's got a lot of class," assistant coach Royce Simmons said.

"I don't think he'll play too much lower grade football after this week. That's a pretty big wrap to give a player.

"He's a very mature young bloke who will take the field with a lot of confidence and won't be too scared to tell the forwards where to go and won't be too scared to demand the ball."

Asked if the spot was his to lose, Simmons said: "There's only four rounds left in the competition and you're in the starting line-up.

"I think you're in a good position to be in the starting line-up next year."

Brought to Sydney as a 15-year-old, Lui has impressed the Tigers with every step of his development, so much so that they've already got him tied up until the end of the 2011 season, with an option for 2012 in the club's favour.

Coach Tim Sheens brought him into train with the top squad a month ago with a view to having him on standby for an injury in the halves.

But so impressive have his performances been since then that Sheens has opted to move Tim Moltzen - who has been the halfback during the Tigers' current five-match winning streak - to fullback to replace Gallant, with Lui coming in at the scrumbase.

"He's played well all year in the under-20s," Simmons said.

"But particularly the last month since we've rewarded him by bringing him into training, his attitude has been very good and he's played very good in that time."

Worried about upsetting the chemistry four weeks out from the finals and with the side finally having cracked the top eight, Sheens consulted his senior players before bringing Lui into the team.

He need not have worried.

"Coach asked us if we had the confidence in bringing Robbie up into first grade and we were 100 per cent behind that," skipper Robbie Farah said.

"He deserves his opportunity, he's got the backing of us boys in first grade.

"We're just looking forward to playing with him now and hopefully he can take the way he's been playing in 20s and bring it into the top grade.

"He's an impressive kid, you see him in the 20s and you know that he's a class above that level."

"I don't want too much pressure on the kid, but he's got a lot of class"......Tigers assistant coach Royce Simmons

 

[Google News]

Round 23, 2009: Sharks v Tigers @ Toyota Stadium

The Adjudicator passes his verdict on round 23 of the NRL seasonFox SportsDragons fan Phil of Illawarra says: "Adjudicator I will give you the tip, funnily enough when the Dell made his comeback via feeder club Shellharbour Sharks ...

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25923808-5018866,00.html&usg=AFQjCNHKwWEAzoc0DgEQeNiYqNSPr8wLXg

The Adjudicator passes his verdict on round 23 of the NRL season
By The Adjudicator
August 14, 2009

<EDITED> Full article can be found here

Cronulla v Wests Tigers, 2:00pm (EST), Toyota Stadium
Sharks fan Wendell of Canberra says: "I cannot remember the last time the Sharks beat the Tigers? Does anyone know? It was a long time ago. Will we have a team to put on the park? If the Sharks can keep them to 10 points we can win it 12-10."

Tigers fan Bricey of Wodonga: "Tigers could go as high as 5th at the end of the round if results fall there way. They have been strong for the last 6 weeks and I cant see anything changing this week. The sharks on the other hand have been like a pair of paper pants....terrible! they also have the short turn around from monday night, where as the tigers have had that extra day recovery. I'd put your house on it big A. Tigers by 24."

The Adjudicator says: "I once read that Tuiaki loves nothing more than to pay a visit to his local butcher to purchase a whole pig. From what I understand "I'll buy an entire pig for a spit roast," is his motto. With a saying like that what hope do the struggling Sharks stand? Tigers by 16."

<EDITED>

 

[Google News]

Round 23, 2009: Sharks v Tigers @ Toyota Stadium

BENJI SET FOR A BIG 100TH GAMEWests TigersMarshall will achieve the milestone when he lines up against the Cronulla Sharks at Toyota Park at 2pm. The Kiwi international and premiership winning ...and more »

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.weststigers.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=19315&usg=AFQjCNFalFVa996VvXx6Qb3PNegLB9bJnw

BENJI SET FOR A BIG 100TH GAME
August 14, 2009

Wests Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall will play his 100th first grade game this Sunday.

Marshall will achieve the milestone when he lines up against the Cronulla Sharks at Toyota Park at 2pm.

The Kiwi international and premiership winning five-eighth has pushed the milestone aside this week, preferring to concentrate on keeping the Wests Tigers in the top eight.

Marshall has scored 37 tries in 99 games and kicked 115 goals for 378 career points since making his first grade debut against Newcastle at Campbelltown Stadium in round 20 of the 2003 season. He has had to overcome some horrific shoulder injuries along the way.

Wests Tigers congratulate Benji on the milestone and wish him the very best of luck for Sunday.