NRL 2021: Sydney Roosters defeat Wests Tigers 28-22 in trial match

Tigers coach Michael Maguire was left with more questions than answers after few of his positional dilemmas were solved in the Wests Tigers’ trial against the Roosters.

Jock Madden showed his wares in the halves for Wests Tigers. Picture: Damian Shaw

Tigers coach Michael Maguire left Camden with more questions than answers after few of his positional dilemmas were solved in the joint venture’s 28-22 loss to the Roosters at Kirkham Oval.

Maguire needs to settle on a five-eighth and a hooker for Round 1 and those spots will still be up for grabs in next week’s trial against Manly when the Tigers coach plans to play the bulk of his top squad.

Jock Madden and Daine Laurie both showed their wares in the halves while Jake Simpkin and Jacob Liddle duked it out at hooker. All four will get another chance in next Sunday’s trial alongside a host of the club’s biggest names.

“We’ll have all our senior players out there next week,” Maguire said. “We’ll probably play about 24 players, some of those guys will play a fair bit of time and some won’t.

“It’s an open team for me at the moment because we have had a number of changes and new personnel come to the club and finding that cohesion as a team — it could take a month to find exactly how we’re going to go.”

Jock Madden showed his wares in the halves for Wests Tigers. Picture: Damian Shaw

HALVES BATTLE

With first-string five-eighth Adam Doueihi sidelined through suspension for the season opener against Canberra, the race to partner Luke Brooks is a shootout between Laurie and Madden.

Madden, starting at halfback, looked the more likely of the two — he grew into the match as it went on with his kicking game and ability to take on the line both coming to the fore.

Laurie spent the first stanza in the halves before switching to fullback, which looks to be his natural position as it favours his elusive running and Maguire was complimentary of his new recruit after the match.

“He’s a competitor, he’s exactly what I expected. He’s good with the ball and he’s got good composure and he’s quick,” Maguire said. “He showed the things I’ve been expecting.”

YOUNG GUN NEEDS MORE TIME

Highly-rated Queenslander Simpkin is poised to become the Tigers long-term hooker but the 19-year old might need a little more seasoning before he hits first grade.

Simpkin is a lively customer and looked dangerous when he probed from acting half in his 50-odd minutes of playing time, but his decision-making let him down once or twice.

“Those two showed good signs throughout the game. They got that little bit of rust out,” Maguire said.

Jake Simpkin impressed Michael Maguire in the trial. Picture: Wests Tigers

“I was really pleased (with Simpkin), it was his first game back in a long time. He gets out and probes well as a dummy half and he’s got a good composure about what he does.”

There’s no doubt Simpkin, a junior star, will be better for the run and some time in reserve grade will do him a world of good, but at this stage Liddle still looks to be in the box seat to start at hooker for Round 1.

RAGTAG CHOOKS

Only two Roosters player on the night — fullback Brad Abbey and lock Max Bailey — boasted any NRL experience with Trent Robinson opting to play the bulk of his first graders next week against Canberra in Queanbeyan.

Star fullback James Tedesco is one certain starter for the club’s main pre-season hit-out with teen sensations Joseph Suaali and Sam Walkeri also a chance of making their highly-anticipated Tricolours debuts.

Jersey Flegg halfback Ronald Volkman was the pick of the bunch, scoring a double via a chip, chase and regather in the first half and a long range intercept in the second.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson (left) put his rookie Roosters to the test in the trial against Wests Tigers. Picture: Damian Shaw

HORRIFIC LUCK

Your heart had to break for rookie Tigers prop Billy Stapleton.

The hard-running front-rower, son of Tigers board member Danny Stapleton, suffered the only major injury of the night — a suspected broken jaw — on his very first carry early in the third quarter and he was later transported to hospital.

Stapleton may have been far from first grade contention, but after a year on the sidelines due to COVID-19 it was a desperately unfortunate way for his season to get underway.