Ivan Cleary faces Wests Tigers selection headache as Josh Reynolds return looms
THE next challenge for Ivan Cleary promises to be every bit as difficult as overcoming the Roosters and Storm. For a very different reason.
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HE has masterminded the two biggest upset wins of the season so far.
But the next challenge for Ivan Cleary promises to be every bit as difficult as overcoming the Sydney Roosters and the Melbourne Storm.
For a very different reason.
In the wake of Benji Marshall’s stunning start to the season, Cleary now has to confront the selection dilemma of how to fit star recruit Josh Reynolds back into the Wests Tigers’ line up.
After returning from Melbourne yesterday, Cleary revealed that Reynolds was not expected to return from his hamstring injury in Friday night’s clash against Brisbane at Campbelltown.
But when Reynolds is fit, most likely for the round four game against Parramatta, Cleary said it was a luxury he would be happy to work with.
“We are not expecting Josh back this week,” Cleary said.
“But he is going to be a very important part of our team.
“We will just worry about it when it happens.”
Adding to the quandary, Cleary is also expecting the club’s No 1 hooker Jacob Liddle could return the following week against Parramatta, while Tui Lolohea should be back this week after he was a late withdrawal for the Storm game.
“We have a few guys actually who are coming back,” Cleary said.
“We will cross that bridge when we come to it.”
Reynolds was all set to start the season as the first choice five-eighth before he suffered a hamstring injury in the captain’s run before the opening game against the Roosters.
That opened the door for Marshall whose experience and game management has proved invaluable in the two against-the-odds wins.
No doubt Reynolds’ energy and competitive fire will only be a bonus for the Tigers but more than likely it will come down to one of them playing off the interchange bench.
Before the season kicked off not many outside the club would have given the Tigers a hope of beating the Roosters or the Storm.
But the spirit and belief they showed to down Melbourne in Billy Slater’s 300th NRL game again highlighted Cleary’s ability as a coach.
It’s not often the Storm go down in milestone matches and Cleary admitted it was the first time he can remember going home with the two points in such a significant match for Melbourne.
“It was a real rollercoaster that second half,” Cleary said.
“It was a great feeling when you haven’t won down there for a long time.”
Asked how he has got the players to believe in themselves given many outside the club tipped the Tigers to be challenging for the wooden spoon this year, Cleary typically downplayed his role.
“I don’t know,” he said.
“Obviously every game is different.
“We just try and come up with a plan that we think is going to give us a chance.”