Tim Sheens declares the Wests Tigers overhaul is far from complete
All the dominoes are still being assembled, but reborn coach Tim Sheens has promised the new line-up with look unrecognisable to that which finished bottom of the table in 2022.
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The extreme makeover of the Wests Tigers is poised to result in a staggering 11 team changes under reborn coach Tim Sheens.
And the wily veteran isn’t even close to finishing his squad build for 2023 yet.
With two spots remaining in their NRL top-30 roster, the Wests Tigers have their focus on landing English International John Bateman and potentially one more key player before Christmas.
“The main domino is with the forwards and I’ve now got one (David Klemmer) and I’m looking at the second (Bateman) and we’ll go from there,’’ Sheens said.
Back in charge for the first time since 2012 as head coach of the Wests Tigers, Sheens had warned his superiors on the club board that the round one Tigers team of 2023 will be unrecognisable compared to that of game one earlier this year.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE WHAT THE 2023 TIGERS MIGHT LOOK LIKE COMPARED TO THE 2022 TIGERS
Gone from the round one 2022 team are James Roberts, Oliver Gildart, Tyrone Peachey, Jackson Hastings, Kelma Tuilagi, Luciano Leilua, Luke Garner, Zane Musgrove, as well as former head coach, Michael Maguire.
Replacing them in 2023 will be new faces Charlie Staines, Api Koroisau, Isaiah Papali’I, Klemmer and potentially Bateman, with the return from serious injury of talented forward Shawn Blore and centre Tommy Talau, viewed by Sheens, as new players.
“We’ll get blokes like Shawn Blore and Tommy Talau back which will add to the size and quality of the team because we had so many out this year through injury,’’ Sheens said.
“The age level has dropped, but as you know we’re still recruiting.
“Last year, we never had our best team on the park from day one, not even in the trials because of injury.
“So I am hoping and working really hard and as diligently as possible to keep people healthy, get them fit, so that we will have as close to our best side available for at least game one.
“All our (training) times and intensities have been way over this time last year.
“So I’m really pleased with the way we’re responding.
“Hopefully we have less people in suits on game day and more people in uniform.
“The average has dropped and that’s the future we’re planning.
“We know from the under 20s down, that’s the group we’re looking at.
“It will be a young squad, but in two years time when Benji (Marshall) moves up (from assistant to head coach), they’ll be that much older.
“I said right from the start it was a three year plan.
“The 17 years olds will be 20, the 20 year olds will be 23.
“It’s a process and there’ll be bumps in the road, but as long as we’re going in an upward trend, that’s what my aim is.’’
Interestingly, Sheens pointed to the battle for the fullback position between incumbent Daine Laurie and Staines, while hinting that the former could be used differently in 2023.
“We bought Charlie to be Daine’s back-up at fullback, but that’s what the pre-season is for, it’s about the challenge of pushing each other,’’ Sheens said.
“Daine can play wing as well and he’s been filling in at halfback and hooker as well. Don’t think I’m saying he’s going to play halfback, but he’s been training in those positions to increase his development and fitness.
“That will be a very good battle at fullback (between Laurie and Staines) and something you need in the club.
“You’ve got to have people pushing each other and options because it’s a longer season.”
Sheens said marquee buys Koroisau and Papali’i would commence pre-season training in early January.
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