An enormous halves name is looming for Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens after a backbone shake-up late in Sunday’s sport revived the staff’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.
Watch each sport of each spherical of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Bulldogs hand Tigers third straight loss | 00:55
MORE NRL NEWS
TALKING PTS: Tigers disaster deepens as recruit falls flat; ‘X-factor’ set to shake up NRL
WATCH: Hastings in one other awkward encounter as Knights playmaker snubs Dolphin
WHISPERS: Manly ‘not releasing’ 112kg prodigy as tug of conflict looms
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 supplied 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 sport at Belmore after he sat out of coaching throughout the week with a foot damage.
He advised Fox League pre-game that scans revealed he had “a bit of a ligament tear” in his massive 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 damage, Daley advisedSky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast that Sheens shouldn’t think about taking part in Doueihi if he’s ever going right into a sport 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 stated 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 accomplice Luke Brooks — who took on extra of a five-eighth’s function when Wakeham got here onto the sector and appeared to unlock his operating sport.
“I don’t know whether you can keep those two halves together next week — they were going that poor,” Daley stated.
“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 talk about the halves change in his post-game press convention however finally 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 stated.
“Things weren’t working for us so I pushed Adam back there.”
Get all the newest NRL news, highlights and evaluation delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
Sheens additionally hinted that Doueihi might stay at fullback after the Tigers’ assault confirmed indicators of life late within the sport.
“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 stated.
It makes for an fascinating staff record Tuesday given Daine Laurie — the Tigers’ first-choice fullback coming into the season — is an opportunity of getting back from a knee damage this week.
Source: www.foxsports.com.au