NRL Preview: Barrett wary of Tigers attack

Author: Wayne Cousins
Timestamp: Sat 14 Apr 2018, 01:48 PM

The Wests Tigers might have a strong defensive record of late but Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Coach Trent Barrett remains wary of their attacking prowess.

Faced with a horrendous draw in the opening rounds, Wests Tigers have overcome adversity to win four of their five matches, including beating reigning premiers the Melbourne Storm twice. Their only loss was a controversial Golden Point defeat to Brisbane Broncos at Campbelltown Sports Stadium in round three.

Barrett said the Tigers’ attack cannot be underestimated.

“They are just a gritty team. They are doing really well,’’ Barrett said.

“Benji (Marshall) has been a real steady hand for them, Luke Brooks is playing well, and they are all just doing their job.

“We know what to expect with them. Their back five is extremely dangerous and they have got some dangerous individuals in their side.

“We are going to have to watch Josh Reynolds when he comes (off the interchange bench), whether he is at hooker or in the halves. He is certainly a run threat.”

Wests Tigers will be looking to nullify Manly early at home. The Sea Eagles have blown the Parramatta Eels and the Canberra Raiders off the park at Lottoland with brilliant first half performances in their two matches there this season.

Full-back Tom Trbojevic and half-back Daly Cherry-Evans have been the main destroyers and if the Wests Tigers don’t control them, the Sea Eagles could well put plenty of points on in front of the Manly faithful.

Barrett said full-back rbojevic has fully recovered from an ankle injury that saw miss last week’s loss to the Gold Coast Titans.

“Tom brings a lot of strike power to the team. A lot of those line breaks we made last week, Tom is generally turning up there and scoring them,’’ Barrett added.

“We did miss him last week. The result wasn’t certainly down to him being out alone, but every team needs their best players on the field, and we all know how important he is to us.”

Round 6 Game Day Info

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles v Wests Tigers

Sunday, April 15, Lottoland

4.10pm: NRL: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles v Wests Tigers

Manly vs Wests Tigers Records

Head-to-head: Played 25; Sea Eagles 15, Wests Tigers 10

2017 results: Sea Eagles 28 d Wests Tigers 16, Lottoland; Wests Tigers 30 d Manly 26, Leichhardt Oval.

At Lottoland

Played 9, Manly 8, Wests Tigers 1

2003: Wests Tigers 38 d Manly 12, Rd 4

2004: Manly 26 d Wests Tigers 18, Rd 18

2005: Manly 34 d Wests Tigers 26, Rd 9