NRL 2021: Wests Tigers’ Moses Mbye on shootout with Daine Laurie for No.1 jersey

The Tigers may have signed Daine Laurie as fullback of the future, but Moses Mbye says he won’t give up the No.1 jersey without a fight.

Moses Mbye says a series of conversations with Des Hasler four years ago now have him primed to not only win a shootout for the Wests Tigers No.1 jersey, but regain the form that made him an $800,000 Origin player.

Speaking with The Daily Telegraph in Tamworth on Tuesday, where the Tigers are based for a week-long training camp, Mbye welcomed the club’s decision to sign rising Penrith fullback Daine Laurie for the 2021 season.

Despite Mbye playing a variety of positions throughout his six NRL seasons, the 27-year-old says he is determined to make the No.1 jersey his own this year despite the early arrival of Laurie, who is already being hailed the Tigers future at fullback.

A Queensland Origin player only two years ago, Mbye also revealed he was being driven to succeed by a series of conversations he once had with Hasler, when the pair were together at Canterbury Bulldogs.

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Moses Mbye has welcomed the signing of Daine Laurie from Penrith, despite the move putting him under pressure. Picture: Toby Zerna.

Asked about the club’s decision to land Laurie a year earlier than expected, thanks to a player swap involving Paul Momirovski, Mbye said: “I’ve been around long enough now to understand that club’s need those players.

“And that the more competition there is, the better for everyone.

“And I’m really happy for Daine.

“Really happy for the club too because he’s a great kid.

“I’ve met him before.

“Great guy.

“But I also know what I’m capable of doing.

“I just need to apply myself, leave no stone unturned and then let’s see what happens. I get to start the season at No.1 and as long as we’re performing as a team and winning games I get to stay there.”

So after years of playing in the halves, centres, even hooker, you want to cement that Tigers fullback role?

“You know what, I do,” Mbye said.

“I look back over the past few years of my career — or my whole career actually — and I’ve played that many different positions.

“But I love playing around fullback or five-eighth.

“And that’s where I play best — when I have those kinds of influences on a game.”

Mbye has long talked up his solid relationship with Tigers coach Michael Maguire, explaining how the pair are both straight shooters.

Yet the former Queensland Origin player also revealed how now, three years after leaving the Bulldogs, he was finally beginning to understand the wisdom behind so many of his lengthy conversations with Hasler, the coach with whom he made the 2014 NRL Grand Final.

“I actually look back on a lot of that stuff Des was telling me,” he said. “And I’m only working it out now.”

Mbye says that he will start the year at fullback, despite the arrival of Laurie. Picture: Brett Costello.

But as for what advice Hasler gave him?

“Ah, if I told you that I’d have to shoot you,” Mbye laughed. “There’s too many things and, to be honest with you, a lot of it wouldn’t make sense in an article.

“They’re just talks between Des and myself, conversations about things that make you better both on and off the field.

“I guess one thing I will say Dessie always taught me is that, on field, your first thought is always your best thought.

“And now being at the pointy end of pre-season, I can’t wait to get out there.

“For me, I just need to play to my ability.”

Mbye also stressed he had no lingering problem with a series of media stories last year which continually suggested he was being shopped around, including to the Gold Coast Titans.

“I understand how that works,” he said. “There was a time where it felt like I’d four or five coaches in as many years, and also the same amount of CEOs.

“So I understand the turnover in this game.

“Players are a big asset to clubs and you’re constantly chopping and changing.

“So there’s no point getting upset about that.

“No point kicking stones.

“You get on with it.

“And if you’re winning games and playing good footy it will all sort itself out.”

Mbye says the Tigers should stick with a similar spine for the 2020 season for the best chance to make finals. Picture: Getty Images.

The fullback added consistency in the spine would be key for the Tigers 2021 season.

“I’ve been thinking about that because it really is a new spine for us,” he said. “I know the players were here last year but a lot of us were in different positions or playing in a different capacity.

“Last year with Benji (Marshall), he was an on ball, dominant player.

“But Luke Brooks now steps up to be that guy this year.

“We also have Adam Doueihi coming into what is technically a new role for him at five-eighth, while I go back to fullback having not played there for 12 months.

“Also we had Harry Grant at nine last year, now Jacob Liddle is coming in.

“So some consistency between us would be really nice.”

WESTS TIGERS PLAYERS URGE COACH TO PICK 82KG BUSHIE

Wests Tigers players are urging coach Michael Maguire to catapult rookie No.6 Jock Madden into their starting side for the NRL season opener, with teammates praising his “wow factor” during a training camp in Tamworth this week.
Still only 20, Madden has performed so strongly throughout summer Tigers players are now pitching for him to make his NRL debut against the Canberra Raiders in Round One.
While Maguire has already indicated Adam Doueihi is his preferred choice to partner halfback Luke Brooks this year, the 22-year-old will miss the season opener due to a lingering suspension.

Enter Madden.

Young gun Jock Madden is set to start the year at five-eighth for the Tigers with Adam Doueihi missing through suspension. Picture: AAP.

Speaking with The Daily Telegraph in Tamworth on Tuesday, Tigers fullback Moses Mbye suggested the Scone product was his five-eighth pick for the Raiders clash.
“Jock Madden has just got that wow factor,” Mbye said.
“If there was anyone I had to endorse over summer, it’s him. He’s been super impressive.
“And obviously you never really know about a player until they get out onto the field, but he’s looking really good.

“So if I had to pick a Round One team with Adam Doueihi suspended, I’d put him in.
“And whether that actually happens or not, I don‘t know. It’s the big fella (Maguire) who decides that.
“But if I was picking a side, Jock would be in.”

Weighing just 82kg, Madden will be among the game’s lightest players if he debuts against the Raiders.
“But geez he’s got a big heart,” Mbye continued.
“He’s only little, but so tenacious.
“Competes.
“At this level everyone knows how to play the game – if you didn’t, you wouldn’t be here – but with Jock it’s all the small things that capture your attention.
“Like his maturity, and ability to pick his plays.
“He’s one of those halves that likes to play deep into the line, too.
“You see in the past, quality players like Kieran Foran who play deep into the line and take those hits.
“And Jock, he keeps getting back up.
“He’s a tough boy.”

Madden has impressed his teammates at a training camp in Tamworth. Picture: Wests Tigers.

Despite suggestions it would be Mbye shifting to five-eighth for week one, with new Penrith recruit Daine Laurie earning a start at fullback, the former Tigers captain said Madden had earned himself the role after an outstanding summer training campaign.
Tigers halfback Luke Brooks also agreed recently that the bush boy was ready for the rigours of the NRL.
“He’s got great game management, kicking game and he runs the ball,“ Brooks said.

“He’s really tough too. A couple of the big boys get into him at training and knock him around and he always gets back up.
“Jock is going really well, he’s a great player. He didn’t get to play any footy last year because reserve grade was cancelled so I know he’s itching to get out there.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Wests Tigers’ Moses Mbye on shootout with Daine Laurie for No.1 jersey