Buzz’s weekend highlights, lowlights: Tim Sheens’ solution to end big-name signing misses

Wests Tigers have become a recruitment red zone regularly missing out on luring the talent they need, but Tim Sheens has a solution. BUZZ’S HIGHLIGHTS, LOWLIGHTS

Tim Sheens knows the form of all the UK Super League players better than most.

So does Wests Tigers’ new signing Jackson Hastings, who has been at Salford and Wigan for the last three years.

While so many big-name NRL stars are refusing to join the Tigers, the option of signing English players is becoming a serious option.

A bit like what Ricky Stuart had to do with the Canberra Raiders at a time when NRL players weren’t keen on moving to the national capital.

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New Wests Tigers pairing Jackson Hastings and Tim Sheens.

Wests have already picked up Wigan centre Oliver Gildart for next season.

I spoke to Sheens late last week about his recruitment plans. Getting into the huge Campbelltown junior nursery is his No. 1 long-term priority.

But he did admit, without naming names, there were a number of UK players that could help turn the Tigers into a more competitive football team.

This is a club with such a rich history with Pommy footballers. The great Dave Bolton, Ellery Hanley, Brian Lockwood, Gary Schofield, Andy Currier, Gareth Ellis and Shaun Edwards. Plus Lee Crooks at the Wests Magpies.

Friday night’s 18-16 loss to the New Zealand Warriors heaps even more pressure on Maguire and the football department to fix their roster.

It was another diabolical performance that proves major a player cleanout is more crucial than anything else.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH PODCAST

Phil Rothfield, Michael Carayannis and Adam Mobbs hit out at Roger Tuivasa-Sheck for walking out on the Warriors, Buzz reckons Wayne Bennett is the answer to Wests Tigers’ struggles, there are concerns Canterbury are signing too many problem children, while the boys dissect the Roosters’ surprise pursuit of Brandon Smith.

HIGHLIGHT

The management skills of commission chairman Peter V’landys and chief executive Andrew Abdo to save the NRL round after 12 hours of delicate negotiations with the Queensland government and health officials. Life in lockdown without footy is too horrible to imagine.

LOWLIGHT

A Saturday without a Super Saturday. Thank God for the Olympics and our phenomenal gold medal performances in Tokyo.

SPOTTED

Storm super coach Craig Bellamy looking lonely in his coaching box on Sunday without assistants Stephen Kearney and son Aaron. Storm’s general manager Frank Ponissi also missed his first game since 2009 when he was overseas on a scouting mission. All clubs were restricted to 10 staff members for biosecurity reasons. Doctors, physios and on-field trainers had to get preference.

SPOTTED

Probably not a good look for two Wests Tigers players to be walking into their Brisbane Hotel on Saturday with a couple of slabs of beer, especially after the shocker of a performance against the New Zealand Warriors the night before.

21ST CELEBRATION

Storm forward Dale Finucane continued a remarkable winning record against the Panthers on Sunday, chalking up his 21st straight win. However he still has a way to go to catch the record-holder, Mick Crocker, who won 35 straight in 2007 and 2008 at the Storm.

Dale Finucane has a great record (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

SHOOSH

The 2GB Continuous Call team broadcasts live into Brisbane each weekend. Imagine the outrage from listeners north of the border when the show’s host on Saturday starts demanding that the NRL grand final be played at the MCG instead of Suncorp Stadium as punishment for Queensland Health stopping Super Saturday. Not a smart move.

360 VIEW

Catch you this evening from 5pm on Fox League with Yvonne Sampson, Paul Kent and James Hooper for an extended edition of NRL 360 before, during and after the two games, the Bulldogs v Titans and the Sharks v the Sea Eagles. Also Cooper Cronk and Mick Ennis will be on board for their expert analysis.