Tigers coach Michael Maguire questions his team’s toughness following 20-12 loss to Canberra

Tigers coach Michael Maguire has a stern message for his Tigers after their finals hopes were left hanging by a thread in their loss to Canberra - it’s time to harden up.

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Michael Maguire has torn strips off his Wests Tigers after a poor first-half performance in Saturday’s 20-12 loss to Canberra, urging his players to “harden up”.

The Tigers have been gutsy under Maguire this season but they must produce more to feature in the finals.

This was on display in spades against the Raiders.

As brave as the Tigers were to surge back from a 14-point halftime deficit, basics let them down when the game was there to be won.

The joint-venture club must win at six of their final seven games to have any chance of making the finals.

The Raiders are well-entrenched in the top four. Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images.

Maguire, though, is more worried about his side’s lack of desire.

“We’ve got to be a lot harder as a team, as simple as that,” Maguire fired.

“Our defence at the start of the game was poor.

“We’ve been talking about patches over the last couple of months and there seems to be a reassuring piece in this team at the moment.

“I’m pretty annoyed about having to be in that situation. We shouldn’t be in that situation.

“If we are going to change as a club and a playing group, then we need to harden up as a group.

“There were a couple of soft tries at the start. I don’t normally talk about the team externally but I’m really annoyed and disappointed with where we are at the moment.

“There were patches in that game when we were strong and then we just lapse and that just comes back to the characters that we have at this present moment.

“We need to work hard to make sure that we change it.”

Rapana dived over for a try. Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images.

Asked if you can teach that heart in games, Maguire was blunt:

“Well they’ve got to look in the mirror and find it – it is pretty straight forward really.

“I’ve come to the club to change it and I want to see the change.

“We’ve got a bit of a habit at the moment where we just give games away and it is not acceptable, so we all need to make the change.”

CANBERRA CAN DARE TO DREAM

Things haven’t been this good in the nation’s capital since the glory years of the late 80s and mid-90s when Lozza and Big Mal helped the Green Machine rule.

Fittingly on the 30th anniversary of the club’s first premiership over Balmain in 1989, the current crop of Raiders consolidated their position in the top four with a hard fought win over the Tigers.

With more than 100 forefathers proudly watching on, Ricky Stuart’s men put on a show with an impressive performance.

Hodgson was in superb touch. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas.

Halfback Aidan Sezer was the chief conductor for Canberra with two try assists, including a beautiful cut-out pass for Jordan Rapana’s first-half try.

Sezer has struggled to produce his potent 2017 form due to injury and confidence but he appears to have rediscovered his mojo.

ALL THE WAY WITH CNK

It was only last season when Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad couldn’t crack the NRL at the Warriors sitting behind David Fusitu’a and Ken Maumalo.

Flash forward a season and Nicoll-Klokstad is starring at fullback for Canberra.

The Tigers tried hard but lacked a bit of touch. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas.

The Auckland-raised flyer excelled against the Tigers with a try, strong defence and 121 running metres despite limping on numerous occasions throughout the game.

Coach Stuart couldn’t be happier with Nicoll-Klokstad’s form and courage this season.

“He has been a revelation,” Stuart beamed.

“The trainer came running off the field because he heard a crack and he thought Charnze broke his leg over in the far corner.

“That would have put a bit of dullness on the occasion but it wasn’t broken fortunately.

“He is a tough kid and he is a credit to coach and have as a Raider.”

Canberra deserves to be considered a genuine premiership contender alongside Melbourne, the Roosters and South Sydney.

The Raiders face a blockbuster clash against a resurgent Panthers side in Penrith next Sunday afternoon.

CANBERRA 20 (D Lui C Nicoll-Klokstad J Rapana tries J Croker 4 goals) bt WESTS TIGERS 12 (J Aloiai D Nofoaluma tries M Mbye 2 goals) at GIO Stadium. Referee: Chris Butler, Adam Gee. Crowd: 15,656

Originally published as Tigers coach Michael Maguire questions his team’s toughness following 20-12 loss to Canberra