NRL 2021: Q&A with Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire
Rugby League by James Phelps
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Subscriber only It s been a busy off-season for Wests Tigers as they look to get back to the NRL finals for the first time since 2011. Coach Michael Maguire has brought in the likes of James Roberts, James Tamou and Joe Ofahengaue and has also made a number of key positional switches that he hopes will bring the best out of misfiring players. James Roberts is an exciting signing. What will he bring and how will you get the best from him? James has been a real professional since arriving at the club. He understands what he needs to do to get himself ready for the season and that is get his body right. That has been his focus at the moment. The other thing that he is really strong at is helping the guys around him. His experience is helping others and that is something he has brought to the club.
Outs: Josh Reynolds (Hull FC), Josh Aloiai (Sea Eagles), Matthew Eisenhuth (Panthers), Harry Grant (Storm), Robert Jennings (Panthers), Chris Lawrence (Retired), Benji Marshall (released), Sam McIntyre (Titans), Chris McQueen (retired), Paul Momirovski (released), Dylan Smith (released), Elijah Taylor (released)
Players in the 2020 Rich 100: 5 - 21. Moses Mbye ($815,000), 36. Russell Packer ($750,000), 50. Joey Leilua ($700,000), 69. Adam Doueihi ($625,000), 71. Luke Brooks ($600,000) Michael Maguire came under pressure during the back half of the year as the Tigers season stalled. Maguire is attempting to rebuild the club from the ground up and is still carrying players signed by the previous coach. Maguire will be hoping that the key signings of James Tamou and James Roberts push the club into the top eight. His head may be on the chopping block if they do not.