After their 16-12 debacle against the NZ Warriors last Friday, the Wests Tigers head north this Thursday.
They will take on Gold Coast Titans, who have looked better than their solitary win from three outings.
Wests Tigers head coach Michael Maguire would kill for one win, just to get the critics off his back.
But he and his players need to stay focused because no matter what happens on the Gold Coast this Thursday, it’s only going to get tougher after it.
Waiting for them in round five will be the Cronulla Sharks, followed by games against Parramatta, Rabbitohs, Dragons, Manly and Cowboys.
Based on how they have played so far, it would not be a major shock if they are 0 and 10.
Fingers crossed, because nobody wants the joint venture to be humiliated this way.
No player worth his salt wants to go to Concord, but the season from hell could do long term damage.
But while Michael Maguire is not the answer for next year and beyond, he should be allowed to hold the coaching reins until season’s end.
Sacking him will confirm, once again, what a basket case the Wests Tigers have become.
However, it would not hurt to appoint someone as a co-coach and selector for the rest of the season.
Benji Marshall’s name has been mentioned and for me, well, I like it, because the 2005 legend knows rugby league like the back of his hand.
Marshall would also bring the benefit of a younger perspective in both coaching and selections.
It would have been interesting if Marshall would have selected fullback Daine Laurie, pictured, after his shocker against the Warriors.
In fact Laurie is a shadow of the exciting prospect of last season.
Dropping him for a week would give him time to reflect on his performances and hopefully return in a better frame of mind.
Maguire doesn’t drop players who don’t perform, so the question has to be asked: what will make Daine Laurie lift his game this Thursday?
Then again James Roberts and James Tamou are in the starting line up, so let’s move on.
The team named is:
1. Daine Laurie
2. David Nofoaluma
3. James Roberts
4. Oliver Gildart
5. Ken Maumalo
6. Jock Madden
7. Luke Brooks
8. James Tamou (c)
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Zane Musgrove
11. Kelma Tuilagi
12. Luciano Leilua
13. Joe Ofahengaue
INTERCHANGE
14. Tyrone Peachey
15. Alex Twal
16. Luke Garner
17. Alex Seyfarth
18. Thomas Mikaele
