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Michael Maguire has threatened to swing the axe after the Wests Tigers’ defence fell in a heap in Sunday’s 40-6 flogging at the hands of the Sydney Roosters.
The Tigers missed 37 tackles in the loss, as their left edge got exposed at Campbelltown with five tries down that side.
Joey Leilua missed eight on his own, while AJ Kepaoa and Luke Brooks missed three each to go with Luciano Leilua’s two.
Maguire showed last season he was not afraid to make changes, axing five players including Benji Marshall after a loss to Gold Coast last year.
He also made the call to split the Leilua brothers last year, after the team conceded 42 points to Newcastle in Round 2.
“I’ll make changes where I feel fit. We can’t accept that scoreline or that result,” Maguire said.
“We are all accountable to what we do. We have to look as a team how we fix or rectify that.
“It’s very disappointing.
“The players know what they need to do. It’s just the individuals who choose to do that keep moving forward.”
The Tigers do at least have James Roberts returning next week against Newcastle, after missing Sunday’s loss with a shoulder injury.
Maguire likes playing him alongside David Nofoaluma on the right side, potentially opening the door for changes on the left.
Meanwhile, Brooks had a 150th game to forget, not only being caught out in defence but making three kick errors in attack and gifting up seven-tackle sets.
“He’s disappointed with those kicks, without a doubt,” Maguire said.
“But we all play a part with ruck speed and how quick we want to play the ball.
“Just simple little parts of the game which are effort areas. If we tidy up those areas, it’s a different result.”
© AAP
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