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CAYLESS KEEN TO SECURE PROP POSITION
By Adrian Proszenko, Sun Herald, Oct 26
Tuesday, 27 October 2009

Jason Cayless says he will return to the NRL as formidable a player as the one who left it four years ago.

Cayless headlines a list of Wests Tigers recruits for next season including Arana Taumata, Tame Tupou, Junior Moors, Geoff Daniela and prodigal sons Liam Fulton and Daniel Fitzhenry. Former Wallabies star

Lote Tuqiri and premiership-winning Melbourne forward Jeff Lima are also in the club's sights.

Cayless, once a fearsome prop for Parramatta and the Roosters, has spent the past four years playing for Super League club St Helens but was released from the final year of his contract to return to Australia.

While his stint in England has been punctuated by injuries, the 29-year-old is confident he can return to the form that earned him 10 Test caps for New Zealand from 2002-06.

''Definitely, I don't think I've lost anything over there. It's a case of having some bad injuries over the last two years,'' Cayless told The Sun-Herald.

''I want to get back on the field and start proving myself again. I'm definitely excited, it's also a great chance to come back to the NRL and test myself again.

''[Coach Tim Sheens] was happy with how I was going in the NRL when I was last here. Obviously he hasn't seen me play a lot in England but he wants me back to playing the way I did at the Roosters, which is what I want.''

The 194-centimetre prop has struggled with knee and shoulder problems, the latter still giving some discomfort. However, the Tigers put Cayless through stringent medical tests to ensure he was up to the rigours of an NRL season before signing him to a two-year deal.

Cayless is keen to re-establish himself as a starting prop and to regain his Kiwis jersey during his latest stint in Australia. But there's one thing he isn't looking forward to - playing against his brother, Parramatta captain Nathan.

''That will be tough,'' he said. ''I've never liked playing against him, he's my brother and we're pretty close.

''We'll take that as it comes, those two times a year. We played my first two seasons at Parramatta together and since then we've only played [together] at international level for the Kiwis.

"It's always a buzz, Nath and I started a couple of Tests together in the front row and it's always great having your brother next to you, it gives you a lift and you want to play with him and for him.''

 
Posted by dasha at 31/10/2009 05:28 PM
Some positive signings likely to put the heat on all the boys to perform which can't be a bad thing.Lote would be a good signing although the price tag been talked about seems a bit steep.Will give Timmy a good run at half,looked really good in his few games there this season.Fingers crossed for Lima,could use him for sure.
Posted by the far north tiger at 29/10/2009 06:56 PM
Forget Lote Ttuqiri. 400g on an aging winger,come on. Get Lima, he's good value and we can always use an extra big man to plug the middle and go forward. Then sign up all those great U/20's. lets keep these tiger cubs in tigerland.
Posted by Blue in QLD at 29/10/2009 05:29 PM
We just need Josh Lewis at 7 and Timmy at 1 and then the goosies will come for 2010 along with the new sigings this would be a unbeatable team. Good luck boys.
Posted by mark mcgown at 29/10/2009 02:16 PM
All this excitement made me 'STEP UP' and I've signed me and my boy up for next year. GO TIGERS!!! STEP UP
Posted by Rick at 29/10/2009 12:59 PM
If we sign Lote, what are we going to do with hopefuls Tim Moltzen, Blake Lazarus as fullbacks? How do you think these blokes will feel. I think Tim should play halfback anyway but if you have emerging youg talent, you have to nurture it. Lote will cost us too much in terms of cash and young talent. Best of luck Tigers you are the No1
Posted by Stephen at 28/10/2009 07:16 PM
Tigers will never be called the smallest pack in the Nrl anymore. Jeff Lima would be a good buy but Mark Flanagan will get no game time unless injuries. Good buys this year but some people or players will be little upset that their player or they are not getting a run.
Posted by tom at 28/10/2009 06:45 PM
We've got a god halfback already, his name is Tim Moltzen, he's a better half then he is a fullback i think we all can agree with that, just look what happened once he was pushed back to fullback, we were in 4th then 9th
Posted by Brad at 28/10/2009 01:46 PM
Can anyone tell me why we let big Daine Laurie go? That decision is going to hurt us in future, just like Luke O'Donnell, Bryson Harrison, Brett Hodgson etc
Posted by Brad at 28/10/2009 01:42 PM
Cayless is a great signing, he'll take Bryce Gibbs spot for sure with big Keithy Galloway the other frontrower. Payten will move to the backrow with Ellis and Heighington at lock.I hope we sign Lote, he will add more to the Club than just his ability on the field - look at what Wendell has done at the Dragons - Lote is a class act and would look great in Tiger colours. Fulton is a good buy, Tupou, Moors, Daniella and Taumata are good fringe players but unlikely to push for starting positions.
Posted by tcogger at 28/10/2009 01:18 PM
I would back off signing Loti actually.I dont think he would fit our team environment.He seems to want to be the centre of attention.We dont need that.He might not even have the same skill level he had before either.Plus he seems like trouble with a capital T. As for signing Cayless,now some of our underperforming forwards will have to up the ante or lose their spots.About time too..Cogger.
Posted by fraze at 28/10/2009 12:34 PM
It seems as though we've signed a few reserve grade backs but the money we've spent should of been splashed out on a decent halfback? Its up to the supporters next year to go out and make 2010 the year of the tiger. Let's make Wests Tigers' Sydney's number one team, GO YOU TIGERS
Posted by fuzzie at 27/10/2009 09:12 PM
Sorry I had a no brainer....I meant Jason and yes I always thought losing Fitzi was a sad momment, he has done well in superleague and I think he is great player.I agree with Wendy that Tuqiri will be a no show, the $ will dictate his terms and I cant seeing playing nrl.
Posted by Tigermad at 27/10/2009 08:51 PM
Good luck Jason,get out there and smash everything that moves in an opposition jersey as great front rowers should do and im sure you'll be getting heap of wraps on this website every week
Posted by Shaz at 27/10/2009 07:38 PM
Wonder if Tim Sheens will use some of the new signings in the 2010 line up and if so who will be dropped ?
Posted by tutty at 27/10/2009 05:39 PM
It's way too early for predictions but IF last year is anything to go by then next season will once again see a very close competition, are there any standouts? I don't think so. The Tigers, I think, finished just 5 wins away from the Minor Premiers so do they really need a lot of personnel changes to improve? Probably not. A good preparation, a little good fortune, a little improvement in some small details as individuals and as a team and it could be enough. Tigers!!!
Posted by Oz at 27/10/2009 04:51 PM
Great news to sign Jasen, trust Lote & Lima may come as well but let us make sure we have Mr Sheens sorted as the priority along with Jake, Andrew & David F, David G and many of these great kids from Toyota Cup. With Sheensie in charge and the Tigers nursery progressing well we need to watch the Chooks & others from stealing our talent let alone our sponsors.
Posted by Wendy at 27/10/2009 04:09 PM
No 'Fuzzie' its not just you we are all sweating on 2010 season, but i dont know about Lima coming back i read somewhere that he still has 2 years left on his contract with Storm, and im not too sure if Tuquiri is going to sign with us, when he can go overseas and probably get double the money , im happy with the players we have especially some of the Toyota Cup guys. I just hope that the Weststigers management realise how important it is to re sign Tim Sheens, if anyone is going to takes us to another premiership i feel he is the man.
Posted by tcogger at 27/10/2009 03:51 PM
Cayless should go ok.He looks fit. But on another note why are we taking Fitzhenry and Fulton back.Would have been better keeping Morris and Tagive.fuzzie...who is nate?....Cogger
Posted by baz pooley at 27/10/2009 03:45 PM
Referring to Pat Richards' kicking game reminds me that one L.Tuqiri is also quite proficient when it comes to putting boot to ball. Particularly the line drop outs.
Posted by chris.w at 27/10/2009 02:40 PM
Good luck champ. Is it just me or does it seem every position will be on notice- a hell alot of signings for next year with many going to be looking over their shoulder for the next bloke to jump in. Go Tigers!
Posted by Jules at 27/10/2009 02:27 PM
Hey Jase! So pleased to have you on board!!!! Hope you get to smash up some opposition defence and lead the way for the Tigers man WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by fuzzie at 27/10/2009 02:26 PM
Is it just me or are you guys getting goosies....I see real promise for 2010 with some of these great signings and the possible signings of Lima and Tuqiri and if Nate comes back to form yeaha!!! welcome back Fitzy. Wouldn't it be great if Pat Richards came knocking on the door again aspecially with his kicking game....go Tigers
Posted by coralie at 27/10/2009 12:01 PM
Good Luck for you return to the NRL, Jason. Hope you have a terrific season ! Go Tigers
GearZone
2009 Players One Community Christmas Party
2009 Players One Community Christmas Party
©
09/Dec/2009
Wests Tigers players Chris Heighington, Liam Fulton, Robert Lui and Andrew Fifita took part in the 2009 Players One Community Christmas Party at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday, December 9.view