NRL news: Wests Tigers confirm Adam Doeueihi, Luke Brooks as 2021 halves

One played fullback and the other was dropped in 2020, but Michael Maquire is backing his new look Tigers halves to succeed.

Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire has signed a two-year contract extension. Picture: Toby Zerna

Michael Maguire has backed his new-look halves pairing of Adam Doueihi and Luke Brooks to put their stamp on the Wests Tigers following club legend Benji Marshall’s departure.

Doueihi is set to start next season in the No.6 jersey after spending 2020 switching between fullback and centre while Brooks was dropped midway through the season.

And Maguire is confident the two will improve over the pre-season.

“I’ve known Adam for quite some time, when he was coming through as a junior he played a lot of five-eighth. He’s got ball skills and he’s a big body,” Maguire said.

“They get along really well and to watch them connect I’ve been impressed.

“I think Luke knows what he needs to do. He’s a great player, he’s one of the most talented halves that I’ve worked with and it’s just about doing it consistently now.

“If he does that consistently it’s all in front of him.”

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Adam Doueihi will shift from fullback to five-eighth in 2021. Picture: Getty Images.

Since their breakthrough title in 2005 it’s been a lean and at times tumultuous 15 years for the club, with Maguire the first coach to sign a contract extension since Tim Sheens in 2011, but the 46-year old is aiming high as he begins his third season with the club.

“We all know why we’re here. We’re all chasing a title,” Maguire said.

“When you come in you always have your sights set on wanting to win straight away and I haven’t changed from that.

“But I think the organisation is in a really good position now with everything around the team - everyone is focused on what we need to do, on and off the field, to be able to achieve what we’re chasing.”

The Tigers have only made the finals three times in their 20-year history and haven’t tasted the semi-finals since 2011.

The departure of Harry Grant and Marshall may put a spanner in Maguire’s plans to end the longest wait in the league but 2014 premiership winner is confident the club’s new arrivals - James Tamou, Joe Ofahengaue and former Origin centre James Roberts - can boost their chances.

Michael Maguire says he can get the best out of new recruit James Roberts. Picture: Supplied.

Roberts in particular shapes as an intriguing signing - Maguire has links with the troubled speed machine dating back to their Rabbitohs days, and backs himself to get the best out of the 27-year old.

“We’re very particular with what we’re after. We want winners, we want people who are going to go above and beyond, because that’s what it takes to win comps,” Maguire said.

“If we get the team right it’s not just about making the eight, it’s about staying there.

“It’s up to James (how he plays). He knows what he needs to do and he’s in a good place at the moment. When he does play his footy we know how he can play and the quality of player he is.

“Everything he said to me makes me say that. He understands he needs to get himself right, like all our players.”

WHY MADGE IS THE MAN TO END TIGERS’ DECADE OF FAILURE

—Dean Ritchie

“We’re not happy where we’ve been so now is about moving towards a premiership.”

With those bold words, a bullish head coach Michael Maguire has declared he and his underachieving club are ready to finally end a decade of failure at Wests Tigers.

And he is targeting premierships.

Already under contract for next season, Maguire has agreed to a new two-year contract extension at Concord until the end of 2023.

Maguire, 46, will coach under pressure though. In his past two seasons at Wests Tigers, Maguire has won 18 from 44 games for a success rate of 41 per cent.

Michael Maguire has signed a two-year extension at Wests Tigers. Picture: Toby Zerna

The Tigers finished ninth last year (11 wins from 24 games) and 11th this year (seven wins from 20 games). And Wests Tigers haven’t reached the finals for the past nine years.

“We’ve put a lot of work in over the last couple of years and I’m seeing plenty of change for the club to move forward in a big way,” Maguire said.

“We’re all not happy with where we’ve been and everything we do now is about moving us forward towards a premiership.
“I love the people here and the passion around the organisation. The more I see people with a connection to Wests Tigers, the more I see the hunger for success.

“This is a massive club with an incredibly rich history, and we’re all determined to grow this year into a really strong season.”

Maguire is steadily revamping the messy roster he inherited from previous coach Ivan Cleary. The team’s results have reflected the salary cap and playing roster struggles Maguire has endured over the past two seasons.

Michael Maguire has revamped the Tigers’ roster. Picture: Getty Images

Just this week, Wests Tigers’ cap freed up considerably with Josh Reynolds quitting the club a year early to join Hull FC. Reynolds signed a massive four-year deal worth $3 million at Wests Tigers two years before Maguire arrived at Concord.

The Tigers also permitted prop Josh Aloiai to depart mid-contract for Manly, allowing the club to sign Broncos forward Joe Ofahengaue as a replacement.

“The extension of Michael’s contract affirms our faith in him as the coach that Wests Tigers needs to continue to move forward,” Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis said.

“He is completely aligned with our passion to the club and is absolutely committed to its long-term and sustained success. Michael represents all of the qualities that identify the Wests Tigers — that is, hard work, passion and an insatiable drive to succeed.”

By the end of his contract extension, Maguire will become the second longest-serving head coach behind Tim Sheens, who coached the club for 10 years

Maguire’s Tigers have a tough start to next season with an opening round game against Canberra at GIO Stadium on Sunday, March 14.

Michael Maguire will be at the helm of Wests Tigers until the end of 2023. Picture: Phil Hillyard

And it doesn’t become any easier with a round two match against the powerful Sydney Roosters at Campbelltown Stadium. In round three, Wests Tigers travel to Newcastle.

The club will attract significant television exposure with all three games to be shown on free-to-air.

“Not only does this provide him with further security, it also provides our entire football program with a strong sense of direction. We have absolute faith in Michael and our football department in the sustainable team they are building here,” Wests Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe said.

“Michael is a fierce competitor, and we love that. He shares the same set of values that our club is built on with his drive and passion for success.”

Wests Tigers are expected to hold a media conference at 8.45am on Friday, where Maguire will further discuss his plans.

Maguire signed with Wests Tigers in October, 2018, from South Sydney, where he famously guided the Rabbitohs to a 2014 grand final triumph.