On the same weekend the Wests Tigers unveil debutant No.1 Jahream Bula, the club’s one-time preferred fullback Daine Laurie confirmed he will return to reserve grade in a bid to reinvent himself as a five-eighth.
The Tigers elevated Bula to their full-time squad and extended him through until the end of 2025 as he prepares for Sunday’s clash against Manly.
Laurie was expected to play in the same game off the bench, his first NRL appearance since round three, but told the Herald he would feature in the curtain-raiser – and in the halves.
Phil Gould last week said on social media Laurie’s best position was at No.6, and coach Tim Sheens – who is now without Adam Doueihi for the rest of the year because of a knee injury – is happy to give him his chance.
“I’m looking forward to playing No.6. It’s the same as fullback, but I’ll be standing in the front line and will need to make a few more tackles,” Laurie said.
“I’m excited. Growing up I was always a five-eighth until I came into SG Ball at Penrith.
Daine Laurie will spend the weekend in reserve grade at five-eighth.Credit: Getty
“It’s a new challenge, but I’m up for it and we’ll see how we go.”
Laurie then joked, “I might even play a bit like Cody Walker”, the South Sydney gun who is also his uncle.
Laurie started the season as the club’s preferred fullback, but the Tigers have since used Charlie Staines and Doueihi, and have now turned to the rookie they hope can be the long-term No.1. Laurie remains off-contract at season’s end.
Sheens said Laurie had all the attributes to succeed in the halves.
“He’s been running around here sometimes as a halfback during drills,” Sheens said after training on Thursday.
“We’ve decided to have a look at him in the position, particularly with Adam down, and we’re getting skinny in the halves.
“He has good feet, he can tackle, he’s played there before, and the No.1 in real terms is the third halfback in your team.
“He has aggression, and physically he’s a lot bigger than what he was when he first arrived here. There’s every chance he plays well there and gets a chance to play there [in the NRL]. There’s a lot of footy still to be played.”
Bula, a Keebra Park High School graduate, was rated one of the best trainers over the summer, with Sheens telling the Herald at the start of the year: “Jahream Bula will be a kid who comes out of nowhere.”
Laurie said of his fullback successor: “He’s a freak. You’ll definitely know his name after this game. He’s fit, fast, tall and lanky, but he’ll be on, I’m telling you.”
Brandon Wakeham and Luke Brooks, who are both off contract at season’s end, will be the NRL starting halves against Manly.
The Tigers suffered an injury scare with centre AJ Kepaoa failing to finish training and with his right ankle heavily iced.
Meanwhile, former Western Suburbs Magpies player John Dorahy has joined the Wests Tigers board of directors with Simon Cook stepping down after serving on the board for the past seven years.
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