Coaching Insider: Round 2

Wests Tigers Coach Michael Maguire had a simple message for his side ahead of Sunday's game against the Newcastle Knights — the team's first to be played with no fans due to COVID-19 measures.

"Get out and play footy," was Maguire's message to the media on Saturday.

"This is what we love doing — we're very fortunate to be able to still get a game.

"I watched the games last night and it is different because we love having the crowds there, but we get to have our supporters and families at home watching us so it's another important game for us.

"You can say it's hard [without fans] but at the end of the day, we're playing footy so it's great," Maguire added. 

"We've worked extremely hard to get ourselves out on the field; the boys have prepared really well to this point and everyone wants to play.

"So I'm really glad the game is going ahead.

"Everyone has taken the right precautions and is aware of what is going on in the world, but I really think the NRL has taken the information day-by-day to make sure we allow ourselves to keep playing. 

"I sat at home and watched the footy last night and that's great."