The Wests Tigers will head into Saturday’s Leichhardt Oval clash with premiers Cronulla Sharks confident their defence has started to improve under Ivan Cleary.
They are still conceding too many points per game [25], but that’s an improvement of two, which is not much but it’s better than nothing.
Yesterday against the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium was the lowest number of points leaked in a single match in season 2017.
The 18-12 win by the Tigers was notable for the defensive effort by the team, especially on the edges, where previously most tries were conceded.
Cleary could have had a perfect record but for the 26-22 loss to Parramatta last week, a lost opportunity after the Tigers led by 10 points at half game.
The Tigers beat the Cowboys 26-16 in Townsville in his first game in charge so now Cleary has a two out of three record.
It’s early days yet, but some of the signs are really positive for the Tigers.
Against the Bulldogs, who were tipped to win and win big by every commentator on the planet, the Wests Tigers were patient in attack and in defence.
Nobody was rushing out of the line anymore, forcing the opposition to try asking some different questions.
The Tigers conceded just one try in each half, another marked improvement.
Talking about improvement, what about the incredible rise and rise of winger David Nofoaluma, who extended his contract earlier in the week.
He has easily been the best player for the Tigers since the start of the premiership.
Nofoaluma is a great finisher but he offers a number of other attributes.
Passion for the club is an obvious one the way he kissed the West Tigers emblem after he scored the first try of the match against the Bulldogs.
He is strong, very fast and safe under the bomb.
If he was a little taller he would be the first winger picked for NSW in the upcoming series.
Memo to Laurie Daley: it’s not the size of the dog in the fight that matters, it’s the fight in the dog that does.
From where I sit, I reckon a sky blue jumper would look magnificent on David Nofoaluma.
Watch him rip into the Sharks this Saturday night as the Tigers continue their improvement under Ivan Cleary.
The match will start from 7.30pm.
