Roberts eager for challenge against ladder leaders

Wests Tigers outside back James Roberts is looking forward to returning to the centres for Saturday’s clash against Melbourne Storm, although he says he doesn’t care what number he wears on his back as long as the team is winning.

After spending the past three games on the wing, Roberts shifts back to the centres for the Round 15 match due to the arrival of international winger Ken Maumalo to the club and Adam Doueihi missing in the centres due to HIA protocols.

“I’m looking forward to being back in the centres and I’m hoping to have a big game, but the only thing that matters is getting the two competition points,” Roberts said.

“We’ve got big Ken [Maumalo] starting with us — we’re excited for his first game this week. Hopefully he scores another three [tries] for us.”

Following last Sunday’s disappointing loss to the Parramatta Eels, Roberts said he and his teammates are eager for an improved effort against the defending premiers — and he understands it’s going to be a good challenge.

“We’re coming off the back of a bad loss. We didn’t play the way we wanted to, like we had the past two weeks before that. We’re looking to turn it around and hopefully we get the two points,” he said.

“Obviously they [Storm] have been the best team for a number of years, and they’re the premiership favourites again this season, so it’s going to be a good challenge for us.”