'We can't accept that scoreline': Maguire set to make changes

Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire didn't rule out tweaking his team after their left edge in particular was ripped to shreds by the Roosters on Sunday afternoon.

"I'll make changes where I feel fit," Maguire said at his media conference after the 40-6 loss at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

"Ultimately, we can't accept that scoreline and the result ... How we train and we go about things at training, that's what fixes those results. It's a very simple fix, but you've got to have the right attitude.

"We're all accountable to what we do ... I know this group's been working extremely hard in many areas, but we got shown that we've got to be a hell of a lot better than where we were."

The Tricolours had a field day as winger Brett Morris made history with his second hat-trick to start the season. Halfback Luke Keary orchestrated repeated raids on the Tigers' left edge of Luke Brooks, Luciano Leilua, Joey Leilua and winger AJ Kepaoa.

"They definitely gave us a work-out down our left edge. We're going to have to look at that and obviously the guys on that left edge need to have a good look at that themselves about how we rectify that," Maguire said, with five Roosters tries coming on that side.

For Brooks, who was overpowered when second-rower Sitili Tupouniua scored before half-time, it was a sour way to celebrate his 150th NRL match. The halfback also sent a couple of grubbers dead. 

"He's disappointed with those kicks, without a doubt, but we all play a part," Maguire said.

Sign up for a free NRL Account to access this video and other exclusive content.

Sign Up

Already have an NRL Account?

Log In

Not sure?   Learn more about an NRL Account .

"Ruck speed, how hard we want to fight to play the ball, just the simple little things of the game - those effort areas - if we tidy up those areas, it's a different result."

The Tigers trailed 12-6 in the first half after hooker Jacob Liddle scored but went into the sheds down 18-6 and never recovered. 

"I didn't think [the Roosters] were that great [in the first half] ... We've just got to do things for longer periods of time," Maguire added.

"I can't fault the attitude on how hard my players work, but it's how effective we are at times as well.

"We got shown [up] from a team that was playing fast and quick. We put ourselves under pressure from various things we did throughout the game ... They won more battles than what we chose to win, and that comes back to an attitude and concentration."