Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks has urged his NRL club to show some urgency in stopping partner in crime James Tedesco from leaving for the Sydney Roosters.
Brooks says you only have to have watched the Tigers opening three games of the season to work out that it’s imperative for the club to hold onto brilliant fullback Tedesco.
Experts believe their attacking combination could evolve into a partnership as lethal as Melbourne duo Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater.
But with speculation linking off-contract Tedesco to a move to the Roosters, Brooks called on the Tigers to act fast and preserve the nucleus of the team.
“You can tell by the way he’s playing, he’s been our best for all three games so they really want to get on to signing him pretty quickly,” said Brooks.
“I’d definitely love to see him stay. We’re good mates off the field so I think that helps on the field.
“I’ll have a word to him. Hopefully he stays, but it’s his decision.
“I’m not sure (what we’re capable of). Hopefully we can go on to bigger and better things.”
Brooks and Tedesco starred against premiership heavies South Sydney last Friday, even though the monster Rabbitohs pack attempted to bully the Tigers playmakers out of the game.
The club has struggled to match the top teams for two seasons, and Brooks believes the Tigers’ show of defiance against Souths could be a watershed moment.
“I think it could be a big turning point because we didn’t get much credit for the win against the Titans (the week before), so we want to show that we are a good side,” he said.
“I felt like we did that on the weekend.
“I guess the boys wanted to put in a big year after a disappointing year last year so I think that (tough losses in 2013) helped us out.”
The Tigers journey to Wellington this weekend to take on the Warriors, presenting a mouthwatering match-up between Brooks and Tedesco and Kiwi whiz Shaun Johnson and his offsider Sam Tomkins.
Veteran winger Pat Richards says the Tigers are playing with confidence and 19-year-old Brooks is defying his lack of experience.
“I think he’s standing up really well and he’s not letting anything get to him,” Richards said.
“He’s a great kid and great to have around the place and he’s had a couple of good performances in his short career so it’s looking promising for him.”
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