Aaron Woods ignores Wests Tigers’ contract deadline threats to make decision on his future

OFF-CONTRACT Wests Tigers captain Aaron Woods says he won’t be rushed into a decision on his future, despite internal pressure from the club.

OFF-CONTRACT Wests Tigers captain Aaron Woods says he won’t be rushed into a decision on his future.

Just two days after Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe said he would impose a deadline on the club’s four off-contract stars, Woods told The Daily Telegraph he wants to see how the team performs before committing.

It comes as a stern-speaking Pascoe vowed “we won’t be held to ransom by anyone”, in regards to the club’s big-name quartet not re-signing until they know who is appointed head coach.

“There is no time frame,” Woods said when asked about his contract.

“I just want to play some consistent footy first and be excited about the footy the team is playing, and then we’ll sit down and sort things out. But I haven’t even thought about it.”

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To complicate matters, Woods has attracted interest from a number of rival NRL teams.

Canterbury is one club in the mix for the NSW Origin prop. It’s understood the Bulldogs are preparing to make a formal bid for the Tigers’ four off-contract stars.

Woods, though, is solely focused on the joint-venture club’s round 5 clash against the in-form Dragons at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.

The Tigers sit on the bottom of the table after four rounds and the skipper knows his side must dramatically improve.

Meanwhile, Woods would like to see Interim coach Andrew Webster retain a position at the club — even if another head coach is appointed.

He believes Webster, a former Tigers SG Ball and Under 20s coach, is having a positive influence on the playing group.

“Yeah, well Webby is our Interim coach and he was our assistant coach and he has done a good job,” he said.

“It was obviously going to be a hard week for him last week and probably one of those weeks where it’s easy for the boys to get up for.

“But this is the real tough week for us now and we need to really knuckle down and work hard for each other. I just the club to do what is best for the club.”

Woods at the Origin launch with Kevin Walters, Cooper Cronk with Laurie Daley. Photo: Phil Hillyard

Away from club land, Woods can’t wait for the upcoming Origin series against archrivals Queensland.

Speaking at the series launch on Monday, the Tigers captain said the Blues were feeling confident after last year’s thrilling victory in Game 3.

“I think that (win) was just a big step for where Loz (Laurie Daley) wants to go,” he said.

“We just want to be an 80 minute side and we played for the 80 minutes that night. Loz has had a really good squad that he has moulded over the last three or four years.

“There is a real good core of players.”