Wests Tigers have only tasted victory once in the past five weeks, but don’t go blaming the young halves.
That’s the opinion of coach Jason Taylor, who described the performances of the prodigiously talented Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks as “solid” so far this season.
A Tigers outfit depleted by Origin host a similarly understrength North Queensland side at Campbelltown on Saturday and Taylor made no effort to disguise where his team needed to improve.
“Our issues aren’t what we’re doing with the ball, our issues aren’t the combination of our halves,” Taylor said on Friday.
“Those guys are going well.
“Some games haven’t been as good as others, but across the course of the season they’ve done a really solid job for us.
“Our issue are in other areas. It’s just most people don’t see the other areas, they’re just looking for the fancy parts.”
The Tigers were worn down by a Newcastle forward pack that made over 300 more metres against them in a 22-12 defeat last week.
The week prior to that, a rampant Roosters side amassed over 500 more metres.
“It’s pretty clear for us – we’ve got to improve on what we’re doing defensively,” Taylor said.
“The Knights made too many metres on us last week and we’ve got to fix that.”
Taylor will be without skipper Robbie Farah and prop Aaron Woods, who are both away on Origin duty. Veteran Dene Halatau and youngster Matt Lodge will deputise in their place.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys are aiming for their eighth straight win but will have to do so in the absence of Origin stars Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, James Tamou and Michael Morgan.
In a late boost, Kiwi international Jason Taumalolo has flown to Sydney and could be a last minute inclusion in the team.
Stats that matter
– The most recent meeting was a complete demolition by the Cowboys, with the 64-6 scoreline setting a club record for biggest win. It was also the Tigers’ second biggest loss and worst defeat since 2001.
– The Wests Tigers have completely dominated this match-up in Sydney for almost a decade, winning 11 straight games since 2005 – with the Cowboys reaching 20 points on just one occasion. At Campbelltown, the Tigers have won four straight matches.
– Nine of the 26 teams to have won eight straight matches in a season since 1998 have won the grand final, and a further five have finished runners-up. This means if the Cowboys win this match they have a better than 50 per cent chance statistically of making the big dance.
Deano70
Guest
Moses doesn't cut it. He reminds me a lot of Benji Marshall, but without the occasional brilliance, really needs to straighten up in attack and stop kicking the freaking bAll so much, 20 odd kicks all bar one or two straight down Cootes throat and 10-20 short of a good kick consistently. He constantly gets in the way of his line runners. Wooden spoon is headed to Tiger town, they've got nothing
Birdy
Guest
ps ( copied that of you Jay ) this time of year really frustrates me . I can't see why we can't have 3 stand alone SOO weekends over 6 weeks and 3 alternate bye weekends for the NRL . This is a perfect game to emphasise my point , if the tigers win it means nothing , if they lose it's all over . Not to mention the fans missing out on seeing a super star like JT.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Update : According to NRL site Rory Kostjasyn will start at 5/8. Although they aren't always right.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I heard they were starting the other young guy from the Blackhawks with the hyphenated name which eludes me at the moment. I hope they do go that way and leave Coote at fullback. We'll know soon.
Birdy
Guest
No idea on either team, havnt seen TV or heard radio all day. Looking forward to game though . Want to get out of burning my jumper.
Bulldog
Guest
No idea but I am thinking Coote at 5/8 with Winterstein at fullback. Bowen on the wing. King will be on bench as back up hooker for Kostjasyn.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I just think they are a year or two away. Plus a few decent signings. They can't be anywhere near their cap surely. If I was Greeny I would be all about the D tonight. then just have Tommy Lolo run over the top of Mitch and Luke. Actually looking forward to the game though. I think it will be a high scoring affair. Any word on who is five-eigthing for the Cows?
Birdy
Guest
The tigers have to get back in the winners circle, if they can't do it against a cowboys side without JT then I just give up...... And at Campbeltown. I had a bet last week the tigers would beat Newcastle or I would burn my Balmain jumper. I' m renigging.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Unfortunately I tend to go the other way birdy and stumble at the last hurdle (although I seriously hope that isn't the case with this one).
Birdy
Guest
Hi Jay C , the good thing about taking a multi is that losing the first leg saves all the wonder, stress and worry out of the next 5 days . Lol
Mike
Guest
The Tigers made a huge mistake getting rid of Blake Austen, he's on fire. Moses should have been left in the lower grades for a couple more years. It's too much to have two inexperienced playmakers in the team plus they're both being targeted in defence. A team can hide one defensive liability but one either side of the ruck is disaster.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Yeah, but they do need time. They will come good eventually - even sooner if they recruit some more experience.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Those are my selections for this round also. Everyone keeps harping on about taking home sides but it doesn't look that way to me. Good luck with your punt, tasty odds.
The eye
Guest
I know people are going to say give em time,give em time,here we are week 11 zilch from Moses and ordinary from Brooks..no secret where Lowe Cooper and Taumalolo are headed with the football tonight..with no Farrah the IQ of the pack becomes single digit
Jay C
Roar Guru
Nice of you to narrate your own input for us.
curaeus
Guest
What an imbecilic comment!
Jay C
Roar Guru
I needed Tommy Lolo for my fantasy team big time. Got smashed with Origins and byes.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I've got a four way multi paying out 730 on Cows, Dogs, Broncos and Maroons. I really need to send Sandow a thankyou letter as he won me 100 bucks last night too.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
200? Being conservative today? Jt2s inclusion tipped it for me.. but it'll be close.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Cowboys by 200.