NRL 2022: Wests Tigers reveal five-man leadership group after captaincy overhaul

Tigers coach Michael Maguire has defended the decision to share the captaincy of the club among five players this season, insisting it’s a formula that works.

James Tamou is among the contenders for the Tigers captaincy. Picture: NRL Photos

Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire has defended the decision to share the captaincy of the club among five players this season, insisting “leadership is not just about one person — it is about the team”.

The Tigers on Tuesday announced that Adam Doueihi, Luke Brooks, Tyrone Peachey and Ken Maumalo would share the captaincy duties with incumbent skipper James Tamou, the decision coming after the club brought in a leadership expert to help sift through their captaincy candidates.

Maguire has actually borrowed from an old playbook in arriving at his final call. When he first took over the coaching reins at South Sydney 10 years ago, he shared the captaincy among five players.

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Incumbent James Tamou has been named in the Tigers’ leadership group. Picture: NRL Photos

It was a concept he had previously seen used in American sports as well as the AFL.

Still, it was a surprise when the club announced on Tuesday that the five players in the leadership group would share the captaincy in a rotational capacity this season.

The decision prompted mixed reviews on social media but Maguire urged the club’s fans to retain the faith as they prepare to finalise their preseason preparations on Friday night against the Sydney Roosters.

“It strengthens that position,” Maguire told The Daily Telegraph.

“Leadership is not just about one person — it is about a team.

“Everyone plays their part in what goes on. We have gone through a process and the guys who have been chosen into that leadership position all have strengths in their own different ways, in their character and the way they do things.

“I wanted that to be the pinnacle of where we are going as a club. It’s not about sharing the load — it is about being that person for the team.

“It strengthens up the leadership. Everyone plays their part on the field whether they are a front-rower or a back. The accountability about how we play, it strengthens that because it is spread across the team.

“It is a really good diverse group of players.”

Tamou had hinted at the changing role during Friday night’s preseason game against Manly and News Corp subsequent revealed the club had turned to leadership guru Dan Haesler over the offseason to help strengthen their leadership group.

Coach Michael Maguire insists leadership is not about just one person. Picture: NRL Photos

Haesler had worked in rugby league before, most prominently with Warriors star half Shaun Johnson. The final say belonged to Maguire and the players — it is understood they voted for their preferred candidates. The board then held a phone hook-up on Monday night to ratify the leadership team.

The Tigers and their coach enter the season under pressure to start fast and most of the responsibility will fall on four of the five men who now share the leadership duties — Doueihi is expected to be sidelined until at least round 10 as he recovers from a knee injury.

Maguire confirmed the responsibility of being the team’s voice with officials would be rotated through the group.

“One person acts as the captain — one tosses the coin and talks to the ref,” he said.

The Tigers consulted leadership guru Dan Haesler to help choose their next captain.

“Other than that it is about everyone playing their part. It will rotate around. I picked it up from the AFL world — they have been doing it forever.

“I have been through it at three clubs and I found with where we are at the moment. I remember when I introduced it at Souths and everyone was up in arms.

“I put it in, it started to work, the strength of the group started to grow and everyone thought it was the best thing. But success brings a lot of that, too.”

Maguire insisted Tamou was on board with the leadership change.

“Jimmy Tamou is such a strong leader and presence, having the boys with him act that level is where we want to be,” he said.

“I shared the idea and spoke to him in-depth about it. He thinks it is going to be the right thing for the team and where we want to go as a group. He was excellent about it.

“It is the right time. The group is in a good position to be able to do this.”

Shock duo added to Tigers’ leadership crew

The Wests Tigers have confirmed a five-man leadership group.

James Tamou, Luke Brooks, Adam Doueihi, Ken Maumalo and Tyrone Peachey have been unveiled as part of a leadership revamp and will be expected to share responsibility for the captaincy this season.

Tamou led the side last season but the club has overhauled its leadership structure over the preseason after bringing in leadership guru Dan Haesler.

While Tamou, Brooks and Doueihi were part of the leadership group last season, they have been joined by Peachey and Maumalo as part of the revised structure.

Wests Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe congratulated the group on their appointment.

“On behalf of everyone at Wests Tigers I would like to congratulate the five players on their appointment to the club’s leadership group ahead of the 2022 season,” Pascoe said.

Luke Brooks is part of the Tigers’ five-man leadership gourp. Picture: Toby Zerna

“It’s great to have a group that consist of players in different stages of their careers, and I look forward to working closely with this group over the coming year.”

Brooks said: “To be in the leadership group at the club means a lot, especially the way we chose the leadership group through our teammates.

“I have been here for a while now. When I came in I didn’t really see myself as a leader. That is something that I have had to grow over the years.”

Doueihi added: “Obviously very honoured and humbled. Being a local junior makes it more special. When I left the club, I never pictured myself leaving. To come back and earn the respect off the boys, the peers and coaching staff ... is a pretty special feeling.

“It is now time for us to lead the boys forward and get some success.”

Originally published as NRL 2022: Wests Tigers reveal five-man leadership group after captaincy overhaul