Brooks eyes improved running game behind new pack

As he prepares to return to full training after picking up a pre-season calf injury, Luke Brooks has expressed his excitement about the opportunities the Wests Tigers’ new star-studded forward pack will present him in 2023. 

The addition of representative forwards John Bateman, Isaiah Papali’i and Api Koroisau, along with veteran prop David Klemmer, has significantly strengthened the 2022 wooden spooners, and off the back of it Brooks, and his new coach Tim Sheens, hope it will see an uptick in the 28-year-old halfback's running game. 

Last season Brooks averaged 10.2 runs for 74 metres per game, with three total line breaks across his 17 appearances. 

Brooks – who is targeting a return to the field in the Wests Tigers' second Pre-Season Challenge match against the Raiders on February 19 – this week highlighted the benefits the new recruits will bring. 

“Some of the players we have brought over, just in our forward pack, we have got Klemmer, Bateman, Ice (Papali'i) and Api at hooker. They are really quality players that have done it all in the game, so I am looking forward to playing behind those guys,” Brooks said on the club website.  

Playing behind some big boys, they are going to get a quick play the ball and that opens up my running game.

Luke Brooks

"[Tim] has spoken to be about that, especially close to the line, running the ball a bit more and trying to score myself. 

“Api as well at hooker, he will take a lot of pressure off me… You can already tell from the first week he has been here, what he does around the ruck will help me out."

As the Wests Tigers prepare to begin their first season back under the watch of Sheens, who previously coached the club between 2003-2012, Brooks said a large portion of the off-season has been dedicated to skill development, with a desire to play an open style featuring plenty of ball movement. 

Last year the club scored the fewest tries in the competition, averaging just 2.5 per game.

“We have had a real focus on our skills, if you look back at the way the Tigers used to play when 'Sheensy' was coach, everyone could pass the ball, so that’s been a real focus,” Brooks said.

“We don’t want to be a team that just has five hit-ups for a kick, we want to throw the ball around.”

The Wests Tigers will have their first competitive match of the year on February 9 when they take on the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium in the opening game of the 2023 Pre-Season Challenge.