Chris Lawrence says consistency will see the Wests Tigers in the finals in 2016 but Broncos and Cowboys will be teams to beat

They missed out on the wooden spoon by one place last year, but back rower Chris Lawrence said there is depth enough in the squad to make it to the finals.

Chris Lawrence of the Tigers, Shaun Johnson of the Warriors, Greg Eastwood of the Bulldogs and Jake Trbojevic of Manly at Aotea Square, Auckland, during a fan day for the Auckland Nines. pic Mark Evans

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Back rower Chris Lawrence is confident his young Tiger cubs are in for a big season in 2016.

They missed out on the wooden spoon by one place last year, but Lawrence thinks there is depth enough in the squad to make it all the way to the finals this year.

Like all teams, he said the side weren’t looking too far down the fixtures, but he did say that he thought 2015 NRL champions North Queensland Cowboys and last year’s runner’s up side the Broncos would be the sides to beat this year.

“We’ve lost a couple of senior players, and we’ve got a young squad this year,” Lawrence said.

“The last year or two our young guys have really started stepping up though, and they’ve got a lot more games under their belts.

“This is the second or third year that these guys have been working on combinations, and even at training I can definitely see how much they are improving, and I think they’ll do well this year.

Newcomer Tim Grant hugs Chris Lawrence after a try during the Wests Tigers v Cronulla Sharks pre season trial game at Campbelltown Stadium. Photo: Jenny Evans

“Given last year there was a lot of guys who played more than what they were expected will definitely help us this year.

“You have guys like Brooksy and Mitch Moses who have played 30 or 40 NRL games now.

“Even others like Kyle Lovett and some of the younger forwards who managed a lot of game time (last year) and are only 21 or 22 years of age.

“That experience is going to be invaluable to them.

“With Tim Grant here now, in comes another experienced player.

“Considering the loss of Keith Galloway and Marty Taupau in our forwards he’s going to be a really good addition for us.”

Lawrence said that with a bit of consistency from the likes of Moses and Brooks that the Tigers would be in with a chance of being in the mix come finals footy.

“I think of the young halves particularly can put together a few good games together, and we’re a bit more consistent, then we’ll be there at the end of the year,” he said.

“Last year, consistency was the problem for us, but we also proved that when we’re on we can beat anyone.

Lawrence says the key will be consistency in the halves combination of Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses.

“The problem is that there’s too big a gap between our best performances and our off performances.

“This year it’s got to be about how we play, and it will come down to us improving week to week and playing to our ability.

“We’re a chance of finals for sure, but it will come down to us taking our chances.

“When we compete we can match if with anyone, and if we can win enough games we’re a chance at the semis.”

Wests have a tough start to 2016, coming up against some top teams in the opening rounds.

Round one will see them take on the Warriors on Saturday night at Campbelltown Stadium, before they meet the Sea Eagles at Leichhardt Oval, the Titans up north, and the Eels at ANZ in round four.

But Lawrence said he thinks the biggest challenges in the 2016 competition will be the sides from Brisbane and North Queensland.

“I think the teams to beat will definitely be last year’s grand finalists,” he said.

“Neither of their squads have changed too much, so they will be tough to beat.

“I think Parramatta have bought well too, so they’re going to be strong this year.”

● Wests Tigers will take on the Warriors on Saturday at Campbelltown Stadium, from5.30pm.

● Use #NRLTigersWarriors to follow the action and keep up to date with all the latest Wests Tigers news at Inner West Courier’s Facebook page.