Wests Tigers NSW Cup side will look to bounce back from a 26-14 defeat last week when they take on the North Sydney Bears in their Round 12 clash at Leichhardt Oval.
Holding a surprise 14-0 lead over the Roos at half-time last week, an inexperienced Wests Tigers side marred by injuries on the night was run-down by the visitors in the second half, with the aim for Paul Fletcher’s side this week now about earning back their respect.
“I thought we were very good in that first half last week,” Fletcher said earlier in the week.
“We were kicking to our spots in attack and our defense was aggressive [but] sometimes half-time isn’t a good thing in rugby league. We knew they would come out at 100 miles an hour in that second half, and we just couldn’t quite match it with them in the end.
“But I’m not upset with the boys at all, and I said that to them after the game.
“We had lots of inexperienced players out there in the second half, with those four guys coming up from Holden Cup on their debuts. We lost Moltz [Tim Moltzen] early as well, so the guys had to move around a fair bit and they just couldn’t quite hang on in the end.
“Being penalized 7-0 in the second half again certainly didn’t help things either, so we need to make sure we’re disciplined and make no excuses for ourselves in that regard.”
With three close wins prior to last week’s defeat to Wyong, Fletcher’s side will still take plenty of confidence into Saturday morning’s clash with the Bears, who themselves are flying high after knocking off defending premiers Penrith prior to their bye last week.
“They play really similar to Souths — which is understandable given they’re their feeder club — and they’ll have plenty of confidence for this one too,” enthused Fletcher.
“Knocking off Penrith isn’t an easy thing to do, so they’ll have plenty of confidence and we really need to make sure we match their energy and intensity from the start.
“For us, this week’s all about getting our respect back.”
Tune in to Fox Sports 1 from 10:30am on Saturday, May 30 to catch Wests Tigers in action against the North Sydney Bears in Round 12 of the VB NSW Cup competition.
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Date: Saturday, May 30 | Time: 10:45am AEST | Venue: Leichhardt Oval
TV: Fox Sports 1 | Referee: Christopher Treneman
Confirmed Squads
Wests Tigers — 1. Kurtis Rowe 2. John Sila 3. Nathan Milone 4. Delouise Hoeter 5. Mason Cerruto 6. Penani Manumalealii 7. Josh Drinkwater 8. Jack Buchanan 9. Joel Luani 10. Salesi Funaki 11. Lamar Liolevave 12. Sitaleki Akauola 13. Brenden Santi (Interchange: 14. Manaia Cherrington 15. Andy Fiagatusa 16. Michael Bullock 17. Wes Lolo 18. Mark McCormack).
North Sydney Bears — 1. Darryl Millard 2. Sam Manuleleua 3. Lattrell Schaumkel 4. Ed Murphy 5. Bernard Gregorius 6. Cody Walker 7. Darren Nicholls 8. Fred Jnr. Mauala 9. Scott Sorensen 10. Zane Musgrove 11. Tulsa Saumamoa 12. Jack Gosiewski 13. Jesse Roberts (Interchange: 14. Brendan McKinnon 15. Evan Lee 16. Wes Mourad 17. Dane Chang).
Recent Form
Wests Tigers — Lost (Rd.7), Won (Rd.8), Won (Rd.9), Won (Rd.10), Lost (Rd.11)
North Sydney Bears — Won (Rd.7), Lost (Rd.8), Lost (Rd.9), Won (Rd.10), BYE (Rd.11)
