Luke Brooks and Mitch Moses copping special treatment from defenders

LUKE Brooks and Mitch Moses both cop it in defence but statistics show they’re getting just as much punishment after they kick.

James Tedesco, wearing hat, Luke Brooks, brown/blonde hair, wearing green boots and Mitchell Moses, brown hair, white boots. Wests Tigers training ahead of there game against The Dragons.

AS IF being singled out in defence wasn’t bad enough, Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses are now being forever bashed after they’ve kicked.

Opposition teams are certainly doing their best to try and unsettle the fresh-faced Wests Tigers halves by flattening them no fewer than 16 times the past month alone.

It’s not uncommon for kickers to be tackled just after they’ve put boot to ball — Johnathan Thurston was hounded late in Origin II — but the Tigers’ pair have really come under heavy fire.

South Sydney especially took it to Brooks and Moses last week, belting them seven times, with Brooks on one occasion showing his frustration by grappling a Bunnies’ forward.

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Manly are sure to try and employ similar tactics on Friday at Brookvale Oval.

Tigers’ enforcer Marty Taupau has already indicated he’ll do what he can to keep an eye out for his 20-year-old playmakers.

Moses said he had noticed teams turn up the heat when it came to kick pressure, and it was something he and Brooks had to deal with.

“Maybe (rival teams) are trying to take us out of the game and shoot our confidence by hitting us late,’’ Moses said.

“Maybe they’re teaching us a lesson by not taking the ball to the line.

“But it won’t stop me and Luke from doing that.

“We’ll be kicking the same and taking those knocks.

“I feel like I’ve been taken out a lot more than I normally do. If they want to keep getting me late, they can keep doing it. It’s up to the refs to decide if they think it’s late or dangerous.’’

Plenty of expectations have been placed on Brooks and Moses, and the pair are often the topic of conversation whether the Tigers win or lose.

They’ll have their work cut out against world-class rivals Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran tonight.

But don’t expect Cherry-Evans or Foran to be collected late as often as their opposites.

For all the heavy treatment the past month, Brooks and Moses have only received one penalty between them after being taken out.

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Moses has been battered by opposition defenders on numerous occasions.

Taupau said it was his job and the rest of the Tigers forwards to make sure their little mates were protected.

Taupau quickly intervened when Bunnies’ backrower Chris McQueen tried to rough up Brooks last week.

Because of Brooks and Moses’ size and inexperience, Taupau said it was only natural for rivals to try and intimidate them.

“There was a little scuffle between me and Chris. He was trying to take the ball off Brooksy, they almost got into it, so I jumped in and looked after the young bloke,’’ Taupau said.

“That’s what I’m there for. I’m there to lay the foundation for the young boys so they can play off the back of that, and to also look after them.’’

Taupau knows first hand what his New Zealand counterpart Foran is capable of, and said of the Manly No. 6: “He’s a class act, he’s a perfectionist, very switched on and knows what is happening. We’re well aware of what he brings to their side.’’

The Tigers have won just once in nine trips to the northern beaches, and while they remain outsiders with the bookies, did begin to firm yesterday.

Originally published as Luke Brooks and Mitch Moses copping special treatment from defenders