Wests Tigers ready to muscle up in 2009
March 17th 2009 06:59
If the barnstorming form of Kiwi winger Taniela Tuiaki is any indication, the Wests Tigers appear destined to muscle their way into finals football in 2009.
Tuiaki scored two tries in the Tigers victory over the Canberra Raiders on Monday night, giving indications that the 2005 Premiers will not be bullied out of finals contention for the fourth year running.
Indeed Tuiaki's second try showcased the supreme break tackle ability the giant Test winger possesses.
He beat four defenders on his way to the tryline, despite suggestions the giant winger was effectively tackled by the Canberra defence.
His second try laid the foundations for the Tigers to overcome an eight point deficit against the Raiders at halftime, and score 16 unanswered points to seal a great win in front of the Campbelltown faithful.
Although Tuiaki was on everyone's lips after Wests solid victory, new Tigers recruit Gareth Ellis also made his presence felt against the Raiders.
Ellis, who has played 22 tests for Great Britain, provided the Tigers with added muscle and mobility upfront - something they have lacked for quiet a while since Anthony Laffranchi's departure to the Titans.
His defence was also up to NRL standard, pulling off some big hits against Raiders winger Justin Carney.
Indeed Ellis's combination with Tigers second rower Chris Heighington should see the Tigers compete on a regular basis against some of the bigger packs in the NRL this season.
The Englishman no doubt has the potential to experience the same success that fellow Englishman Adrian Morley achieved with the Sydney Roosters if his early form is anything to go by.
Although the current form of Ellis and Tuiaki is promising in terms of how the Tigers will perform up the middle this season, they will still rely heavily on their free flowing attack to get them across the line this year.
It got them home against a Raiders side that too rely heavily on their constant ability to cross the white stripe.
Despite the unlimited potential the Tigers display on the offensive, defending the tryline remains their Achilles heel in their quest to return to the finals.
When in possession, the Raiders made the Tigers look very ordinary, with Terry Campese often having their defence in sixes and sevens.
Conceding 26 points in a half of football is indeed a worry for Coach Tim Sheens, and it once again threatened to derail their performance against Canberra.
But Sheens can take heart from the fact the Tigers did not concede a point in the second half, and were able to score 16 of their own to start their season off on the right note.
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