Wests Tigers’ Russell Packer faces another sideline stint for high shot
Last sighted in the NRL on the day Bankwest Stadium was opened in April last year, Russell Packer faces more time away after being charged for a high shot.
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Russell Packer had to wait 418 days for his NRL return but he now faces another stint on the sidelines for his high shot on Canberra forward Joseph Tapine.
Packer was on Sunday charged with a grade-three careless high tackle, meaning he will miss two games with an early plea or three if he fights and loses.
After a nightmare 14 months, the Wests Tigers forward won’t be afraid to face even more adversity.
Last sighted in the NRL on the day Bankwest Stadium was opened in April last year, Packer battled nerve damage in his toe that prevented him running.
Meanwhile, Michael Maguire won’t rule out further changes at the Wests Tigers despite believing his team got the message in their 14-6 loss to Canberra.
Maguire created headlines last week when he axed five players, including club legend Benji Marshall following his team’s shock loss to the Gold Coast.
The Tigers were more disciplined in the first half against the Raiders, with Josh Reynolds kicking for one try while wearing Marshall’s usual No.6 jersey.
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But they still lacked the finish they needed, and Maguire said he’d reserve the right to make more changes as he continues to look for the best 17 at the club.
“I’ll have a look at the game just the same as I did last weekend and decide which adjustments I may go with it,” Maguire said.
“I changed the team this week and got the response.
“I thought Josh was good. I thought the team was good.
“If I need to make changes I will.”
Adam Doueihi had arguably his best game in Tigers colours, running 251 metres at the back.
Alex Twal also got through a heap of work with 61 tackle, while Reynolds and David Nofoaluma provided the only linebreaks of the match for the Tigers.
But some changes may be forced upon Maguire.
Luciano Leilua limped from the field late with an ankle issue, while Russell Packer was put on report for a high tackle.
The likes of Marshall and Luke Garner are also still waiting in the wings hoping for a return.
“At the moment I am trying to find the consistency I asked for last week,” Maguire said.
“I thought that everyone put the effort in tonight, that’s one thing I saw and that’s the response you get.
“You expect that off the back of a performance I thought was unacceptable last week.
“The boys delivered that, and now it’s about getting those moments right to make sure you can play at this level week in, week out.”
Originally published as Wests Tigers’ Russell Packer faces another sideline stint for high shot
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