Tigers coach Tim Sheens is adamant he has enough players capable of captaining the team in 2023 despite a leadership drain at the club.
Meanwhile, Broncos back Jesse Arthars has returned from a loan deal with the Warriors and is eyeing a starting centre role at Brisbane in 2023.
Read on for the latest NRL news in Off-season Central.
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TIGERS CAPTAINCY HEADACHE
Tigers coach Tim Sheens is adamant he has enough players capable of captaining the team in 2023 despite a leadership drain at the club.
The Tigers were panned for installing six captains last season, with James Tamou, Luke Brooks, Tyrone Peachey, Adam Doueihi and Ken Maumalo in a five man leadership group, while Jackson Hastings also skippered the side at times.
Tamou, Peachey and Hastings have since moved on to the Cowboys, Panthers and Knights respectively, while Brooks is under pressure to get his own game back on track after a sub par season in 2022.
Sheens told Wide World of Sports he is confident he has the right man to lead the Tigers next season in his squad and will make a call in the new year in the lead-up to the pre-season trials.
“There have been a fair few changes to the roster but we have several players more than capable of doing the job,” Sheens told Wide World of Sports.
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“I will talk to the players and management and get their input before making a call next month.”
Doueihi is the early favourite for the job, but forwards Joe Ofahengaue and Stefano Utoikamanu could also be in line to lead the side.
Star recruits Api Koroisau, Viliame Kikau and Isaiah Papali’i are unlikely to be considered for the role in their first seasons at the club.
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RETURNING BRONCOS BACK’S BID FOR STARTING CENTRE SPOT
Broncos back Jesse Arthars has returned from a loan deal with the Warriors and is eyeing a starting centre role at Brisbane in 2023.
Competition for spots will be intense with Kotoni Staggs a lock for one centre berth and Herbie Farnworth the leading contender for the other, but Arthars and Selwyn Cobbo will create plenty of competition for spots in the outside backs.
Speaking with AAP, Arthars knows he has a tough task to break into the backline but is targeting a starting centre role in pre-season as he praised Staggs, who is returning from injury in good shape.
“Tones (Staggs) is massive for this team and one of our senior leaders,” Arthars told AAP.
“This is his second defensive session today and he’ll get more reps in going into Christmas and the New Year. I’m sure he’ll be flying into Round 1.
“I’m trying to build into being a starting centre. The competition for spots is high, but I knew that. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
The 24-year-old scored five tries in 12 games for the Warriors during his loan stint in 2022 and has now scored 13 tries in 41 games for the Titans, Broncos and Warriors since his debut in 2019.
New Zealand native Arthars enjoyed his time at the Warriors, but was always committed to honouring his deal to come back to the Broncos in 2023.
“I enjoyed representing the Warriors, being a Kiwi kid,” Arthars continued.
“I got to play a few more games and add to my experience. That was a team I followed when I was young, I got to go back to New Zealand and see my family as well.
“I had a deal in place to come back, and I was always going to honour that.
“I really enjoy the culture that Kevvie is trying to build. I was here in the tough times, and I want to be here when we start winning.”
