NRL Tigers wary of lowly Titans
Despite sitting on the edge of the NRL top four, Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens reminded his players just how damaging a loss to the lowly Gold Coast on Monday could be.
The Tigers, riding a six-game winning streak, have been one of the competition's hottest teams over the back end of the season and are eyeing off a home final for finishing in the top four.
But Sheens has been quick to point to two games from the past 12 months that highlight exactly why the Tigers can't switch off for the rest of the year - even against the 15th-placed Titans who are without their captain and halfback, Scott Prince.
"We have a lot to play for, although we are technically in the eight, I keep reminding the guys to the game against the Roosters last year," Sheens said in reference to the qualifying final of 2010 where his side let down their guard to be edged 19-15.
"Luckily we got another chance to play Canberra and in beating them, we got a shot at the grand final qualifier.
"Without that opportunity to play that second game, we would have been out with that scrum disaster that happened in the Roosters game.
"We just remind ourselves that we need to be as high up as we can to get a second chance in the event of an issue like that happening.
"... We need to play closer to what we think is semi-final footy.
"Our defence needs to be strong, our completions need to be high, and that's been the case for the last month including (wins over) Manly and St George-Illawarra. We have learnt a lesson from that.
"I don't want to throw that away this week by going for the Hail Mary-type plays."
And as if that isn't enough, there is the added motivation to seek revenge after the Titans took two points off the Tigers in a tight contest in round six.
"From our point of view, we have got plenty of reasons to play," Sheens added.
"We have committed this year to win as many home games as we can and this is our last home game.
"I'd be very disappointed if we don't turn up.
"I think we will. It is just a matter then of executing it well."
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