Wests Tigers roar over internet rumours
Furious coach Tim Sheens says the Wests Tigers will do everything in their power to take action against those responsible for internet rumours about several of the NRL club's star players.
Sheens labelled a "disgrace" the emergence of unsubstantiated allegations on a social networking website that stars Benji Marshall, Bryce Gibbs and Liam Fulton were involved in a feud at training over a personal issue.
The rumours followed Sheens' barring of the team song after last weekend's poor display in scoring a lucky win over Penrith and reports of a clear-the-air meeting early last week.
Meanwhile contracted big names Gibbs, Fulton and Tim Moltzen were told they were free to negotiate with other clubs.
"Every club's got issues with players coming and going," Sheens said after Sunday's 24-18 loss to St George Illawarra at Kogarah.
"The other stuff you are talking about is disgraceful.
"On the social media situation, there doesn't seem (to be) anything we can do about it.
"It's a disgraceful thing to be saying and pushing around about the team and the players and the individuals."
Asked if the Tigers could do anything about it, Sheens said: "The club will be, that's for sure."
"If someone could track it down that would be nice."
Captain Robbie Farah said the rumours had been amusing at first, but the joke had not lasted long.
"At first I had a little chuckle about it but then it got out of control and starts to affect the people involved," Farah said.
"It didn't affect us. If anything it probably brought us closer together."
Moltzen, meanwhile, said he had no intention of leaving the club before his contract finishes at the end of 2012.
"I don't want to go anywhere so I'm happy in the fact that I've got a contract for this year and going into next as well," he said.
"I'm not looking to move anywhere and the club's not looking to move me on so I'm happy where I am."
His chances of staying will be bolstered by the expected move of fullback Wade McKinnon, who suffered a hamstring injury in the warm-up on Sunday, to the UK Super League.
The Tigers will take some solace out of their strong second half performance against the Dragons and will possibly have stars Lote Tuqiri (arm), Gareth Ellis (ankle) and Keith Galloway (concussion) back to play Newcastle next weekend.
On a less positive note, winger Matt Utai suffered a suspected fracture to his arm at Kogarah.
In Sunday's other game, Cronulla battled hard before falling 14-8 to the Storm in Melbourne.
Penrith host South Sydney on Monday night to complete round 12.
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