Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has no appetite to give Luke Brooks a stint in NSW Cup and will retain the club’s only million-dollar player in the halves for Saturday’s trip to Brisbane.
John Bateman skipped training on Tuesday with a rib injury but will also feature against the unbeaten Broncos.
Brooks looked frustrated against Melbourne last Friday, but Sheens has been one of his biggest supporters, and said the best decision for the Tigers right now was to persevere with Brooks and Brandon Wakeham in the halves and Adam Doueihi in the No.1.
“I don’t need to defend ‘Brooksy’, he doesn’t need me to defend him, he’s a tough kid, [the criticism] would get to anyone, but every training session he turns up with a smile,” Sheens told the Herald on Tuesday.
“They [Brooks and Wakeham] have got the left- and right-footed kicking game, they play well on the left and right edge of the ruck, and with Adam at No.1, that allows him to pick his run, be it left or right. There’s no better [fullback] at the club.
“We need to make it work, and the only way to make it work is to give them time.”
Wests Tigers playmaker Luke Brooks.Credit:Getty
Daine Laurie is expected to spend the weekend in reserve grade to improve his fitness, with Jake Simpkins to return from concussion on the bench.
Brooks is seen by many as a better five-eighth option, but Sheens concedes the local junior has essentially been playing as a second receiver, despite wearing the No.7. The coach did not want to get drawn into the spotlight being forever fixed on Brooks, but did ask where was the praise when he scored a long-range try and set up another in a matter of minutes against the Bulldogs a couple of weeks ago.
Bateman suffered a rib injury in the first half against the Storm and needed a painkilling injection at half-time.
Sheens, however, said the Englishman – who has already won over the long-suffering fans with his passion and physicality – would line up against the Broncos.
John Bateman has been cleared of a broken rib and will play.Credit:Getty
“He’s had a knock to the ribs in the last game, he’s been cleared of a broken rib, but he certainly did some damage,” Sheens said.
“He’ll play Saturday. We rested him today, but he’ll train Thursday when we have a big captain’s run.”
Meanwhile, dumped winger David Nofoaluma will be sidelined for a few weeks after suffering ligament damage and a small fracture in his right foot.
Stream the NRL Premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now.
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
