NRL 2022: Wests Tigers David Nofoaluma on Michael Maguire, Luke Brooks and round one team | Daily Telegraph
“I have never seen him step up in that way.”
That is the surprise statement from Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma on Luke Brooks, as they enter their 10th season as NRL teammates.
In a wide-ranging interview with The Daily Telegraph, Nofoaluma lifts the lid on the new approach from Brooks and coach Michael Maguire, reveals the Tigers’ plans to launch their own version of Victor Radley and the bolter pushing to claim a starting spot in the club’s round one backline.
MADGE SURPRISE
It’s the first day of February and the mercury is nudging a hot and humid 34 degrees.
Wests players know they are in for a gruelling day of conditioning at their makeshift base of demountables out at Concord.
Only halfway through a full day of training, Maguire does something players have never seen before.
“We had a really big day, Madge walks in and tells the boys ‘you’ve done really well in today’s session and the week so far, you boys can have the rest of the day off’,” winger David Nofoaluma revealed.
“The boys were cheering, we couldn’t believe it. That’s something Madge doesn’t do. For Madge to be like that, that’s something that doesn’t happen.
“I can see he’s taken on board looking after the players. If you put in the work, you will be rewarded. And that’s nice to see because we all know Madge is usually very grumpy.”
TIGERS TENSION
Facing a 10th straight season without a finals appearance, the Tigers were plagued with constant speculation about player unrest and a fracture between Maguire and his players last year.
But Nofoaluma believes Maguire’s tough love and physical coaching methods – which haven’t always been popular with players – will finally deliver.
“He used the physical side of things in the past few pre-seasons to get the players to buy into the strong mentality. It was hard but it’s getting through.
“But I don‘t think there was tension between the players and Madge. The tension was coming from the outside.
“When you don’t win games, the pressure is on the coach. It played a part in last season, and no one wants to be distracted.
“This year there are a lot of new faces that have brought a fresh vibe and energy. We’ve recruited the right players, it’s the fresh start we need.”
SIXES AND SEVENS
Maguire isn’t the only Tiger to change his stripes. Maligned halfback Brooks has faced constant speculation about his future at the club. But Nofoaluma believes the injection of Jackson Hastings into the halves has ignited a spark not seen before in Brooks.
“Brooksy has been at the club for a long time, he really wants to take control, I have never seen him step up in that way, it’s a good sign for the club and himself,” Nofoaluma said.
“Since Jackson has come, he’s let him know he’s the one in control and Jackson can play his type of footy and he can just play off the back of what Brooksy and the team have in place.”
ROUND ONE
With Adam Doueihi and Tommy Talau out with ACL injuries and AJ Kepaoa (pec) also sidelined, Maguire still has a number of contenders for the left centre spot including an untried rookie.
“We signed Star To’a from Newcastle, and he’s been filling in at the left centre position and of course we have Oliver Gildart, who has been training well,” Nofoaluma said.
“We also have a young kid called Iverson Fuatimau, who has had a few training sessions playing on my inside and doing a good job.”
The Tigers signed impressive 21-year-old Fuatimau from the Bulldogs late in 2020.
In the pack, Maguire is preparing to turn new recruit Tyrone Peachey into his own version of Victor Radley in the No.13 jumper.
“The lock position, it’s a massive role in terms of the likes of Victor Radley, he’s a ball-playing lock. That’s a big threat in teams because not many locks can play in that role, Tyrone can,” Nofoaluma said.
Alex Twal played 11 games and Joe Ofahengaue eight at lock last season, while Thomas Mikaele and Alex Seyfarth also filled in at certain points during the year.
TRIES, DALLY M AND BLUES
Nofoaluma has declared this pre-season as the best he has felt both physically and mentally. It has the flyer primed to claim not only personal accolades but a finals berth for the Tigers.
“I want to become top try scorer, I want to be the Dally M winger of the year again,” Nofoaluma said.
“Origin is still there. I need to be good individually but so does my team, when a team is successful and you’re performing that ups your chances of selection.”
NEW-FOUND DEFENCE
Former Parramatta captain and Roosters assistant coach Nathan Cayless is another new face making an impact at the Tigers..
As the defence coach, Cayless has spent the summer imparting some of the wisdom learned at Bondi under Tricolours coach Trent Robinson in a bid to shore up the Tigers’ line.
The Tigers conceded the second most tries (127) and linebreaks (155) in 2021 with only North Queensland worse over the course of the season.
“The boys have completely bought into his defensive systems. I don’t exactly know what the Roosters systems are like but what he has brought with him is confidence and we can already see the difference. It’s no secret the best defensive sides challenge to win the competition every year,” Nofoaluma said.
I reckon Nofo will need a big year to get back in the good books of most fans.
There was something “off” about him last season. Not just his form but his general demeanour. Like his heart wasn’t in it and to me he came across as a little bit smug.
He seems to be making the right noises this off season, at least based on that article. Fingers crossed he can recapture his best.
As always, talk is easy. Is Cayless going to prove to be a miracle worker with our previously shambolic defence?
Let's see if they can avoid going to water when the pressure is on!
Is Cayless going to prove to be a miracle worker with our previously shambolic defence?
Was it the structures or the players ? If it was the structures you'd expect the head coach to get that right. You'd expect him to at least realize the had poor defensive structures.
The reality is that it's a tough comp and our squads have been poor for years.
It’s interesting how everyone is giving the new assistant coaches big wraps. Maybe they are finally being properly coached??
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@helmesy That’s true,Cayless is getting lots of glowing reports.Hope it translates to positive outcomes in the season.No haemorrhaging points!!!
Is Cayless going to prove to be a miracle worker with our previously shambolic defence?
Was it the structures or the players ? If it was the structures you'd expect the head coach to get that right. You'd expect him to at least realize the had poor defensive structures.
The reality is that it's a tough comp and our squads have been poor for years.
Mate, we'd hope the coach to get it right... but I'm not so sure. The sudden change to a new structure that was much worse made me think that coaches were struggling to find something that works. Cayless fresh out of the Roosters system could certainly bring new ways that are more effective.
Agree that our squads have been poor mate, but also believe that defence can be taught!
Is Cayless going to prove to be a miracle worker with our previously shambolic defence?
Was it the structures or the players ? If it was the structures you'd expect the head coach to get that right. You'd expect him to at least realize the had poor defensive structures.
The reality is that it's a tough comp and our squads have been poor for years.
Mate, we'd hope the coach to get it right... but I'm not so sure. The sudden change to a new structure that was much worse made me think that coaches were struggling to find something that works. Cayless fresh out of the Roosters system could certainly bring new ways that are more effective.
Agree that our squads have been poor mate, but also believe that defence can be taught!
The biggest issue we had last year is that our defence didn't act as a unit, players making different individual decisions really cost us. To me they looked poorly coached in that regard.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
@garry Absolutely spot on.They were incessantly flying out of the line with little faith in each other.Noffa copped a lot of flak for poor reads inside him and not saying he wasn’t responsible at times but it was across the board.It was maddening .The old fundamentals of hold the line,and move together were so often not adhered to.That has to reflect on coaching.Really hope this is being positively addressed.Year of the Tiger!
@garry Absolutely spot on.They were incessantly flying out of the line with little faith in each other.Noffa copped a lot of flak for poor reads inside him and not saying he wasn’t responsible at times but it was across the board.It was maddening .The old fundamentals of hold the line,and move together were so often not adhered to.That has to reflect on coaching.Really hope this is being positively addressed.Year of the Tiger!
Nofa has had similar problems his entire career but there are other issues as well. Issue I have with Nofa is he looks for someone else to blame.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
Is Cayless going to prove to be a miracle worker with our previously shambolic defence?
Was it the structures or the players ? If it was the structures you'd expect the head coach to get that right. You'd expect him to at least realize the had poor defensive structures.
The reality is that it's a tough comp and our squads have been poor for years.
Mate, we'd hope the coach to get it right... but I'm not so sure. The sudden change to a new structure that was much worse made me think that coaches were struggling to find something that works. Cayless fresh out of the Roosters system could certainly bring new ways that are more effective.
Agree that our squads have been poor mate, but also believe that defence can be taught!
The biggest issue we had last year is that our defence didn't act as a unit, players making different individual decisions really cost us. To me they looked poorly coached in that regard.
We certainly didn’t look like a team who were playing for each other a lot of times last year.
The camaraderie didn’t seem to be there.
Is Cayless going to prove to be a miracle worker with our previously shambolic defence?
Was it the structures or the players ? If it was the structures you'd expect the head coach to get that right. You'd expect him to at least realize the had poor defensive structures.
The reality is that it's a tough comp and our squads have been poor for years.
Mate, we'd hope the coach to get it right... but I'm not so sure. The sudden change to a new structure that was much worse made me think that coaches were struggling to find something that works. Cayless fresh out of the Roosters system could certainly bring new ways that are more effective.
Agree that our squads have been poor mate, but also believe that defence can be taught!
The biggest issue we had last year is that our defence didn't act as a unit, players making different individual decisions really cost us. To me they looked poorly coached in that regard.
We certainly didn’t look like a team who were playing for each other a lot of times last year.
The camaraderie didn’t seem to be there.
It was preseason, but crumbled as soon as things got tough.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
