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Round 12
Venue: Campbelltown Stadium Sunday 27 May 15:00
Wests Tigers
-:- Cowboys
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Sheens still searches for Tigers spine

Written by Joe Barton on .

Just 10 rounds into the NRL campaign, the Wests Tigers admit they are still yet to find the right winning formula with coach Tim Sheens tinkering with his 'spine' for the seventh time this year.

The Tigers have won their past three matches, seemingly distancing themselves from a five-game losing streak earlier this year, but Sheens acknowledges their form is still patchy - forcing him into yet another shake-up of his spine.

The loss of captain and hooker Robbie Farah to NSW this week has resulted in yet another 1-6-7-9 combination lining up when the Tigers take on the Warriors at Leichhardt Oval on Friday night.

Regular five-eighth Benji Marshall remains at halfback while Test centre Chris Lawrence fills the No.6 jersey, Tim Moltzen stays at fullback and Tom Humble starts at hooker for the first time in his NRL career.

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Tigers seeking revenge over Warriors

Written by Joe Barton on .

Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens says the club is ready to turn around their patchy NRL form and exact revenge on the Warriors for ending their premiership dream last season.

Sheens admitted the Tigers were still burning from the heart-breaking semi-final loss, where Warriors centre Krisnan Inu scored the match winner in the dying minutes to knock the Tigers out.

When asked if the loss still hurt, Sheens said: "I think so, yeah, particularly the nature of the last try that beat us, given that we'd led the whole game ... so we've got a lot to play for."

Sheens said the lesson on offer that night was one the Tigers were still coming to grips with.

He said despite recording three wins on the trot, his team had still yet to impress ahead of Friday's clash at Leichhardt Oval.

The past two victories have been one-point wins over Parramatta and Gold Coast respectively, highlighting Sheens' concerns which trail back to their finals defeat last season.

"We've got a lesson to learn there. We're going to have to play a little more consistent," Sheens said.

"Our form has been patchy but we've put together three wins in our last three games so we are looking to build on that."

Halfback Benji Marshall, who is standing in as skipper with Robbie Farah in camp with NSW ahead of next week's State Or Origin opener, said the wins had not been anything special.

"I wouldn't say we've turned the corner yet," Marshall said.

"Our form still hasn't been outstanding. We were probably lucky to win against the Gold Coast.

"Even though we've been winning, it hasn't been the most polished performances.

"A little bit inconsistent but at the same time the last three wins have been very important after five losses.

"Just to get that sort of momentum back into the squad and then get two points for the bye did us a lot of favours going into this game."

Injured back-rower Chris Heighington remains unlikely to return from a hand injury despite seeing a specialist on Thursday.

Sheens also shot down any suggestion the club was chasing former Tigers fullback Wade McKinnon, who is seeking a new deal after parting ways with English Super League club Hull FC.

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NSW must pick Farah: Sheens

Written by Joe Barton on .

Kangaroos and Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens says NSW must bite the bullet and pick in-form Tigers hooker Robbie Farah for State of Origin I.

Farah, who starred for City in Sunday's win over Country, is believed to be behind veteran Newcastle rake Danny Buderus for the hooking role ahead of the Melbourne clash on May 23.

 

But Sheens says the time has come for Blues coach Ricky Stuart and his selectors to make the hard decision to overlook Buderus and pick Farah, who played two Origins in 2009, with a view to the future.

 

"He should be playing for NSW without a doubt," Sheens said on Thursday. "I think NSW has to work hard at what they're doing down the track and I can't see a 34-year-old Danny Buderus there next year, if he is there this year.

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Cashmere Returns To The Tigers

Written by Illawarra Mercury - Sam Hall on .

Cashmere released by Cutters

05 Apr, 2012 04:40 PM
Veteran prop Ray Cashmere has signed a one-year deal with the Wests Tigers after being granted a formal release by the Illawarra Cutters today.

Cashmere was approached by the Tigers last week in a bid to shore up their depleted forward ranks, but was initially denied a release by the Cutters.

Cashmere had been told he would have to see out the end of his one-year contract with the Dragons’ feeder club side, but he was granted a full release this afternoon.

Cashmere will train with the Wests Tigers first grade squad from next week, and isn’t expected to play in the side’s clash with Brisbane tomorrow night.

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/sport/rugby-league/cashmere-released-by-cutters/2513737.aspx

 

 

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Iosefa target for Farah back-up

Written by Glenn Jackson on .

WESTS TIGERS have been eyeing former Penrith hooker Masada Iosefa - among others - as a potential mid-season purchase as back-up for Robbie Farah.

Tigers recruitment manager Warren McDonnell said yesterday the club was looking at various options to act as an understudy to Farah, and that Iosefa, now playing for Mounties in the NSW Cup, was one of them.

''We are looking,'' McDonnell said. ''But [Iosefa] is one of three or four we are looking at.'' The Tigers may finalise a deal with a player through their second-tier salary cap next week, but it is unlikely any prospective signing will play in their next clash, against the Warriors, even though Farah is likely to be missing due to State of Origin commitments.

While the Tigers' decision to look at options would partly be owing to Farah's likely elevation to Origin, club officials also believe they need a back-up anyway.

Farah missed two matches early in the season through suspension, with the club using back-rower Liam Fulton as hooker. The struggles in those games, added to the prospect of losing Farah during the Origin series - while knowing that other options in the lower grades are not quite ready - prompted officials to act.

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Farah wants Origin recall

Written by Ian McCullough on .

Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah is hoping for an end to his three-year State of Origin exile after excelling in City's 24-22 victory over Country in Mudgee.

While Farah refused to be drawn on whether his partnership with Blues incumbent halfback Mitchell Pearce could help him win an Origin recall, he hoped his impressive display on Sunday gave NSW coach Ricky Stuart a reminder of what he offers to the side.

"Me and Mitch have formed and good combination and this week we have felt very comfortable playing together and that showed out there in the first half," Farah said after City raced to a match-winning 24-0 lead in the opening stanza.

"For me, it is about playing good footy, it is about my form.

"I wanted to play well here and now I have take that back to my club and put as much pressure on the selectors and Ricky as possible to pick me."

Farah, looking to return to the NSW side for the first time since 2009, drew praise from City coach and Blues great Brad Fittler after doing his hopes of a recall no harm with a busy performance at the Glen Willows Sports Complex.

"It was a real mature win and Robbie and Mitchell were fantastic at controlling the result," Fittler said.

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Duo to return to boost Wests Tigers

Written by Joe Barton on .

After losing second-rower Gareth Ellis for three months to a foot injury, Wests Tigers look set to receive a rare boost with the return of a key duo for Friday night's crucial NRL clash with Brisbane.

The Tigers have had a horror start to the year, losing four straight games to be sitting in equal last place while injuries and suspension tested their thin depth.

Hooker and captain Robbie Farah will be a welcome sight for coach Tim Sheens, having served a two-game suspension for a dangerous throw, but the Tigers could also see giant prop Keith Galloway (foot) join the side.

Tim Moltzen also appears a certain starter despite speculation he was feeling the effects of concussion after he was collected high by South Sydney captain Michael Crocker after taking a bomb in Sunday's loss to the Rabbitohs.

Both Moltzen and Galloway joined the main group for training on Tuesday, allaying fears that the fullback was in doubt and strengthening the Test prop's chances of lining up for the first time since round one.

And while admitting the loss of Ellis was a devastating blow to the Tigers, centre Chris Lawrence was excited about having Farah and Galloway back on the park.

"That's a massive loss, I think he's one of the best back-rowers and players in the game," Lawrence said on Tuesday.

"His work ethic, his line speed and his defence is just awesome. He's going to be a massive loss.

"(But) it will be good having Robbie back, especially the direction around the ruck and the decision-making around there.

"And if we get big Keithy back, and we'll find that out at the end of the week, that will be a great boost for us.

"Especially as a senior player up in the middle, he'll definitely help the young props."

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