‘He might get a bit more time there’: Tigers consider major changes to backline

He’s the club’s best attacking weapon close to the line, and there’s a chance a Tigers young gun is in for a major move.

Adam Doueihi could spend a bit more time at fullback after a backline reshuffle sparked the Tigers into life against Canterbury. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Tim Sheens has hinted that Adam Doueihi could spend a lot more time at fullback after the Lebanese playmaker switched positions late in the game to spark what had been an otherwise flat attack into life.

The Tigers were down 26-6 when Sheens reshuffled his backline by taking David Nofoaluma off, with Charlie Staines going to the right wing, Doueihi switching to fullback and Brandon Wakeham coming on in the halves.

The Tigers found their groove in attack when David Nofoaluma came off. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

It proved a masterstroke, with three long-range tries in the space of four minutes as the Tigers threatened an unlikely comeback, but the charge fell just short with the Bulldogs holding on for a 26-22 win.

Sheens was asked about the move three times in his press conference, and while he didn’t want to address it initially, he revealed that Wakeham and Luke Brooks had worked together all week at training, which is why he wanted to see them in action.

It will be interesting to see what the team list looks like on Tuesday, with regular fullback Daine Laurie expected to miss a few more weeks through injury.

“I don’t want to make any call on that at the moment,” Sheens replied when asked about the switch for the first time.

“I don’t want to talk about it, thank you. I’m not going to justify what I did.

“We practised that all week. Adam didn’t train all week except for the captain’s run, so it was always looking better with the two boys who played together.

Luke Brooks had a very quiet start to the game but led the revival with a try and an assist before the comeback fell just short. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“Things weren’t working for us, so I pushed Adam back there. He ended up with cramps so I’m not saying he was a superstar, but he settles us down a bit out the back and he dominates the call, so he might get a bit more time there.”

It took more than an hour for the Tigers to register their first line break, and big David Klemmer’s burst through the middle seemed to click them into gear after what had been another dour attacking display.

There were times when hooker Api Koroisau would jump out but had no one to pass to, with his support players failing to push up with him.

The rep star said it would take time to develop those combinations around the ruck and blamed the lack of support play on the club’s attacking struggles over the past few years.

Apisai Koroisau says it will take some time for his teammates to get used to his style of play. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“At the moment it’s combinations and understanding how each other play. It’s one of those things where we’re going to have to work at training on,” he said.

“They haven’t had too much front-foot footy in the last few years. I’ve spoken to them about it and that takes a while to get used to. It’s a reaction thing and understanding the ruck and if it’s quick.”

Originally published as ‘He might get a bit more time there’: Tigers consider major changes to backline