NRL 2022: Wests Tigers to attack on the pitch and be aggressive off of it

It’s a new era at Wests Tigers and they are ready to mix it with the big boys despite criticism that they are setting themselves up to fail by setting out to sign a host of the NRL’s superstars.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JULY 16: Wests Tigers head of football, Tim Sheens, speaks to the media during a Wests Tigers NRL media opportunity at Cintra park on July 16, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has vowed to throw off the offensive shackles and continue to chase the biggest names in the game as he prepares to take charge of his first NRL pre-season in more than a decade.

Sheens, in England sorting out personal business and advising the Italian team at the World Cup, will begin pre-season training with a skeleton Tigers squad alongside assistants Benji Marshall and David Furner over the next fortnight.

The club’s other assistant – Tigers legend Robbie Farah – is in England with Lebanon but will dip his toe in the coaching waters on his return.

The holy triumvirate of Sheens, Marshall and Farah – coach and stars of the 2005 premiership side – have given the Tigers an instant injection of optimism and supporters will be salivating at Sheens’ declaration that the club will play attacking rugby league.

Sheens is 71 – he will become the second oldest head coach in the game behind only Wayne Bennett – but insists he is as switched on and committed as ever.

His ambition over the next two years is to set up the club and Marshall for success when he eventually takes over.

“I always like to think I leave the place in better shape than I found it,” Sheens said.

“That is all you can do. If I can do that, lay a good platform, I can walk out with my head up.”

Wests Tigers head coach, Tim Sheens has vowed his team will play attacking football. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK

When Sheens coached the Tigers to a premiership nearly 20 years ago, they were exalted for the way they played the game. It was exhilarating.

It was also a reflection of their coach, who will take charge of their attack next season.

Furner will be in charge of defence, while Marshall and Farah will cut their teeth by working with the middles and the edges.

Sheens is a student of the game but he is also an advocate for attacking rugby league and shudders at the suggestion that you need to defend your way to a title.

“You coach to what you have got but we will be coaching an offensive style of game,” Sheens says.

“At the end of the day, you coach to what you feel is your DNA somewhat. Again, you have to have the people to do it, so recruitment over the next couple of years is important.

“We are going to rely heavily on our juniors. We already have two of the best kids in our country in our system. I am not saying their names – I don’t like putting pressure on any kids.

Former Panther Api Koroisau will add plenty of punch to the Wests Tigers attack. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“I have more than two, to be honest, but I have two who are spine players, which is important to have.

“They are the franchise players you need. The franchise changes with the spine. You’re not winning too many games without a smart group of players in key positions.

“Api [Koroisau] coming changes things straight away. It brings in some smarts around the nine and he touches the ball more than anyone.

“There’s a good start.”

Pressed on what sort of style the Tigers will play, Sheens said: “Defence is important, there is no doubt. But if you score tries, you get the ball back.

“If you think you are going to win a premiership on stopping sides these days – six agains in tackle counts and offensive skills of teams – you are going to be outscored.

“Good sides can score tries. Why? Because of their skills and they finish their sets with good kicks or runs. You can’t just say it is all about defence.”

The Tigers would love to bring James Tedesco and Mitchell Moses home. Picture: Gregg Porteous

BIG TARGETS, BIG NAMES

The Tigers under Sheens, Marshall and Farah are targeting the biggest names in the game. They made it known they were willing to match or better any offer for Cameron Munster.

They have reached out to James Tedesco and will officially enter the race for Mitchell Moses on November 1 by tabling a monster deal to bring him back to the club.

If they miss him, expect them to flip to his halves partner Dylan Brown. They are ready to mix it with the big boys despite criticism that they are setting themselves up to fail.

Sheens is reluctant to confirm targets but he makes no apology for chasing some of rugby league’s biggest names.

Munster, for example, was always going to be a big ask given his sense of loyalty to the Storm. So it proved, but Sheens adopts the view that you have to be in it to win it.

“The fact that he had options, we weren’t shattered that it didn’t happen,” Sheens said.

“At the end of the day, he was always going to Melbourne over anyone else. He said, ‘If I don’t stay there, I am interested’. He stayed there.

“To see him staying at his club is good value for Melbourne.

“I am not super worried about that.”

He does, however, want to make a splash.

The club is taking their time with re-signing the likes of Adam Doueihi, Jackson Hastings and Luke Brooks as they keep money up their sleeve to blow others out of the water.

Sheens remains wedded to Brooks despite suggestions he may be on his way to Newcastle. The rumours won’t go away, yet Sheens seemingly has no desire to let him leave.

“I have a spine for next year and I am wedded to it,” he said.

Brooks’ former halves partner Moses is on their radar. He won’t come cheap.

Yet he is headed to November 1 and Parramatta are set for a massive fight if they want to keep him given the Tigers are not the only club eyeing off Moses – Canterbury have also been linked with a move for the Lebanon international.

“What do you think? We won’t go for the best, we will go for the fourth best?” Sheens said.

“That is ridiculous. We are prepared to chase hard.

“If it doesn’t work, we have second options.”

The Wests Tigers ‘Big Three’ (L-R) Benji Marshall (L), Robbie Farah and Tim Sheens.

TOO OLD

Sheens bristles when it is suggested he may be out of touch. He is 71 and hasn’t coached in the NRL since being sacked by the Tigers 10 years ago.

After his time at the Tigers came to an end, he moved to England and worked at Hull Kingston Rovers and Widnes.

Anyone who knows Sheens knows he is a student of the game. Turn the conversation to rugby league and it is hard to shut him up.

Even when he was in England, he watched every game in the NRL. He loves the sport and that will never change.

Asked whether he still had the nous and energy to match it with the younger coaches in the NRL, Sheens eyes narrow and he stares directly through you.

He clearly isn’t happy with the question.

“Ask me that halfway through the year,” Sheens said.

“I watch every game of football on both sides of the world. If you know me, you know that. It is something I have done all my life as a footy player and as a coach.

“You enjoy watching it. I enjoy looking at the game. I know the game. To say that you have lost touch with it or don’t understand it – who are these people?

“How many games have they coached or played? In real terms, the proof will be in the pudding. It is not going to be easy to start from where we start – at the bottom of the table.

“But what I am touching wood for and hoping desperately for is to have our best team available.”

Tim Sheens is confident Benji Marshall can make the transition to being an NRL head coach. Picture: David Swift

BELIEF IN BENJI

Sheens’ return as head coach is a remarkable story. So too is the man who will eventually replace him at the helm.

Benji Marshall is not just a Tigers legend, he is a rugby league icon. He will spend two years learning under Sheens before taking the reins on a full-time basis.

To an outsider, Marshall would appear to have a dream life given his work in the media and corporate world.

Recently, he was flown to the Presidents Cup in America by one of his sponsors. When the Tigers announced their succession plan, some questioned whether Marshall had the work ethic and desire to be an NRL coach.

Sheens has seen enough to know those qualities won’t be an issue. He watched Marshall fight back from multiple shoulder surgeries that threatened his career in its infancy. He saw the hard work and dedication that took.

“All I know is that his enthusiasm is there, which brings his attitude and dedication to the time frames that are involved,” Sheens said.

“Two, he is smart. He grew up under me next to Robbie. At the end of the day it is attitude, persistent and grit.

“I am interim for two years and trying to help lay the pathway. In those two years, the kids are going to grow and get some opportunities.

“When those kids are ready, they will be Benji’s kids.”

Originally published as NRL 2022: Wests Tigers to attack on the pitch and be aggressive off of it