‘Nothing said to me anyway’: Tigers’ recruitment feud resurfaces as Sheens calls out tough ref calls

The issues between Tim Sheens and a senior figure have been laid bare after the coach admitted he doesn’t know about one star’s future at the Tigers.

Tim Sheens and Tommy Talau.

The issues between Tim Sheens and Tigers head of recruitment Scott Fulton were laid bare as the coach said he knew nothing about the contract situation of Tommy Talau.

Talau, who has been linked to a Tigers exit this season was denied a double by a contentious Bunker call and was one of the better players against the Sharks, but his coach is none the wiser about his future at the club.

“No I know nothing about what is going on there at the moment,” Sheens said.

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“There has been talk, but there has been nothing said to me anyway.”

Sheens was more inclined to talk about his side’s improved performance in the 36-12 loss to the Sharks a week after their 74-0 loss to the Cowboys and took issue with a number of contentious referee calls.

“The scoreline flattered them but again they beat us,” Sheens said.

“I said to the guys last week we got beat, tonight we lost the game. There is a difference. People don’t understand that sometimes.

“But the effort was there. That’s what I’m saying. We were in the game at halftime and obviously we had come back really well after really copping a pounding in the first half by way of field position.

“Second half we came back and we were in the game. The disallowed try to Tommy (Talau) was a tough call I think, so I will have a look at that. Even the last try I think we did enough to stop that in the corner.

Tim Sheens in his press conference.

“I’ll question the double movement one too, you can bounce but you can’t extend the ball. You can bounce into the in-goal, but he bounced and then he reached out. To me that’s not a try. But still again, I will take that up with the referees.

“But look we have had one and a half training sessions. We lost our five-eighth in the first training session and Will Smith came in and filled in.

“We had two drop out of last week with injury and one suspension.

“I thought with one training session they came out and handled themselves with a bit of pride.

“In saying that they are still disappointed that we lost the game.”

Sheens believes the bounce of the ball and the rub of the green went against his side in a game that could have been 18-18 early in the second half if Talau’s try was given.

“There was a beautiful kick from Brendan (Wakeham) and it bounced wrong for AJ and those little things just didn’t work for us tonight,” Sheens said.

Tommy Talau was denied a double by a contentious Bunker call.

“And yet for them it bounces off his head and back into his hand, so there are days like that, but they are a good football team Cronulla.

“I think they will know they have been in a game tonight. While ever that’s the case I am always going to be happy with them.

“Coming off last week I think showed there is plenty of spirit in the boys. Obviously with injuries to Api and Brooks and Adam Doueihi as well with our spine. Their spine worked us over a little bit tonight.”

Sheens admitted the no try to Talau, which saw the Sharks go down the other end and score knocked the confidence of his young side.

“It always does and it did to a degree particularly when you go back to what happened to us last week and given where we are in the competition you would like to think a couple of things would go your way,” Sheens said.

“But they looked at it and ruled on it. I will go over it all when I have a chance to have a close look at some of those calls and go from there.

“We have got to get ready for next week. That’s our next aim.”

Sheens revealed the Tigers will get a couple of players back next week, but will have to wait for his key spine players to make comebacks.

“Daine Laurie may be available,” Sheens said.

“Twal will be back from suspension. Not sure about Naden and Nofoaluma. That’s ongoing so we will wait and see how they are.

“Api will be two to three weeks. Brooks will be the same two to three.”

Originally published as ‘Nothing said to me anyway’: Tigers’ recruitment feud resurfaces as Sheens calls out tough ref calls