A late 2020 suspension prevented Adam Doueihi from running out with Wests Tigers last week in their round one clash with the Canberra Raiders in the nation’s capital.
With Benji Marshall gone from the club, Doueihi, pictured above, was the obvious choice for five-eighth, while new recruit Daine Laurie was earmarked for the fullback role in 2021.
Laurie did make his debut last week, along with four other new faces at Wests Tigers: James Roberts, James Tamou, Joe Ofahengaue and Stefano Utoikamanu.
However, Moses Mbye filled in for Doueihi in the 30-12 defeat at the hands of the Raiders.
Following that uninspiring performance, Doueihi has been named at six, while Mbye will be on the interchange bench when the Wests Tigers host the Roosters this Sunday at Campbelltown Stadium.
That is the only change Maguire has made to the starting 13, despite a performance that had all the echoes of last season.
The first 40 minutes saw a good effort from Wests Tigers in defence, but the attack had as much potency as an alcohol-free beer.
After holding the Raiders to 6-6 at the break, the old Wests Tigers returned in the second half, which they went on to lose 24-6.
It was only the first game and a lot of new faces, but surely Maguire will be concerned that if his team continues to leak so many points – more than 26 per game in the last 10 – he will have some sleepless nights ahead of him.
Of course they may turn it all around against the injury ridden Roosters this Sunday.
Luke Brooks is set to become the first halfback in Wests Tigers history to reach 150 games in this game and hopefully he will use the milestone to put in a more substantial performance than he did in Canberra.
Brooks, pictured, launched his career with a memorable performance against St George late in the 2013 season at the SCG.
It is not too unkind to state that, unfortunately, he has yet to fulfill the potential he showed with a man of the match display that day.
On Sunday, Brooks will have the talented Adam Doueihi as his partner in in the halves, and this will be one to watch.
The last great Wests Tigers halves partnership was in 2005 when Scott Prince and Benji Marshall led the club to premiership glory.
There have been a few since then, but none that came within cooee of Princey and Benji.
Brooks and Doueihi does have a certain ring to it, so fingers crossed, Wests Tigers fans.
WESTS TIGERS TEAM LIST: ROUND 2
1. Daine Laurie
2. David Nofoaluma
3. James Roberts
4. Joey Leilua
5. Asu Kepaoa
6. Adam Doueihi
7. Luke Brooks
8. James Tamou (capt.)
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Joe Ofahengaue
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Luke Garner
13. Alex Twal
INTERCHANGE:
14. Moses Mbye
15. Thomas Mikaele
16. Stefano Utoikamanu
17. Tommy Talau
RESERVES:
18. Russell Packer
19. Alex Seyfarth
20. Michael Chee Kam
21. Jock Madden
