It must drive Wests Tigers fans mad watching their side in 2023. And as one who has been watching them since the joint venture entered the NRL in 2000, I have to agree.
On paper, this is a very good team, especially in the forwards, who can match just about any other pack in the NRL.
There is a level of inexperience in the backs, and the spine has changed more times than anyone can remember.
Despite all that, the Tigers have played some brilliant football this season.
Their last start 18-14 loss to St George in Wollongong last Thursday is a case in point.
In the last 10 minutes of the first half, when they romped to the lead, they looked like world champions, both in attack and defence.
But on returning to the field of play in the second half they were a different team.
There were lapses in defence, dropped ball in attack, interspersed with short bursts of excellent play.
It was, simply, diabolical.
The world’s greatest psychologist would have trouble working out what the problem is with the players who wear the Wests Tigers jersey.
They obviously all are trying very hard in every game, but their concentration seems to go AWOL every now and again.
The NRL is a tough competition and the teams that hold it together for 80 minutes usually prevail.
Until the Wests Tigers can do just that it is almost certain they will lose more games than they will win.
In the meantime, Wests Tigers head coach Tim Sheens has named his 22-man squad for Friday’s Round 22 match against South Sydney Rabbitohs at Scully Park, Tamworth.
There are a couple of changes to the backline with Luke Brooks and Charlie Staines making their long-awaited return from injury.
Brooks, pictured above, replaces Brandon Wakeham in the halves and will make his first appearance since suffering a hamstring injury in Round 15.
Staines will make his return on the wing with Junior Tupou shifting to the centres. It will be his first game since suffering a perforated bowel against the Sea Eagles in Round 8.
Shawn Blore also returns to the side after straining a quadricep in the warm-up against the Dragons. He replaces Alex Seyfarth (shoulder) on the interchange bench.
John Bateman will make his 50th NRL appearance.
The match will kick off at 6pm.
TEAM LIST:
1. Jahream Bula
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Starford To’a
4. Junior Tupou
5. Charlie Staines
6. Daine Laurie
7. Luke Brooks
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Apisai Koroisau (c)
10. David Klemmer
11. Isaiah Papali’i
12. John Bateman
13. Fonue Pole
INTERCHANGE:
14. Will Smith
15. Shawn Blore
16. Alex Twal
17. Aitasi James
