Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens won’t be pressured into rushing John Bateman into the team for round one and says he has a major headache choosing between Daine Laurie and Charlie Staines at fullback for the season opener.
With England international Bateman finally scheduled to arrive in Australia this week, Sheens said he’s taking a long-term view about the star signing, who is yet to meet his new teammates after visa troubles.
Sheens and assistants Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah will have a little over a week to assess Bateman’s fitness before their opening game against the Titans at Leichhardt on Sunday week.
The 29-year-old has been forced to train solo in the United Kingdom due to the red tape hold-up. The Tigers announced his signing to a four-year deal on Boxing Day.
Asked whether former Raiders back-rower Bateman would start the season in his NRL side, Sheens said: “We’ll just let him settle down. It’s a long-term contract and I know everyone wants to get away to a good start, but I’m not going to make a decision on that until he gets here.
“We’ll have a talk and he’ll get around with us. He doesn’t know the players to any great degree or know the plays, he hasn’t done the conditioning that we have.”
Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens.Credit:Getty
The Tigers could consider using Bateman from the bench in the opening rounds to ease him into full match fitness, particularly given fellow recruit Isaiah Papali’i will start on the left edge and Asu Kepaoa shone in an unfamiliar role during a thumping trial win over the Raiders.
Bateman’s arrival will put an end to one of the longest-running sagas over summer as he waited almost two months for his visa to be approved.
It will be one less headache for Sheens, who is weighing up a decision between Laurie and Penrith recruit Staines for the No.1 jersey to start the season.
They both spent time in the position as the Tigers ran in seven tries against Canberra, and Laurie is angling for a new deal as the club also weighs up Luke Brooks’ contract situation.
On the Laurie-Staines debate, Sheens said: “All they did [on Sunday] was give me a tough task.
“The coaching staff and myself will sit down this week and sort out a few things with injuries, get a game plan ready. The players will have three days off and will come back and get ready for Leichhardt.”
The Tigers are expecting new captain Api Koroisau, Joe Ofahengaue and Brooks to be available for round one, but are doubtful Ken Maumalo (knee) will be fit after aggravating an old problem in the pre-season challenge.
Sheens said he was pleased with his side’s defence despite all the hype over their new-look attack.
“Give Dave Furner credit for that, our defence has never been pushed by anyone as being the thing except the coaches who preceded me,” he said. “But that was a good effort against a strong side.”
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