Coaching Insider: Round 10

Wests Tigers Coach Michael Maguire says he's looking forward to seeing the combination of Benji Marshall and Billy Walters on Friday as his side looks to bounce back against the Brisbane Broncos.

Neither Walters or Marshall have started in recent weeks, but with Josh Reynolds suspended and Luke Brooks dropping back to the bench, Maguire will turn to the experienced Marshall and versatile Walters to get the job done this week.

Sitting in eighth spot, Maguire said it was a decision made to help the team.

"Billy's been training well in the background," Maguire enthused.

"I'm just asking more from the team. I've shown that in the last month and a half and that's what we need to do at the club.

"He and Benji have chimed in well together and we've done a lot at training together over a period of time in all the different combinations. I'm really comfortable with what I've got in the team.

"We're all trying to work towards getting this club to where we want it and the players are no different. Everyone understands the standards that they're setting — they've been talking about it since I've been here about what we want to do and what we want to be as a strong club in the NRL.

"We're just working hard towards that."

As the NRL confirmed this week that original bubble restrictions would be enforced again due to rising COVID-19 cases, Maguire confirmed that a handful of players and staff would undergo mandatory testing on Thursday due to the fact they live in either Campbelltown and Liverpool City Council areas.

"They're following protocols and have gone straight to testing," Maguire said.

"We'll get the results back on that pretty soon.

"I'm sure those sorts of things will continue to happen [across the game] for a period of time. We understand the world we're living in at the moment and we've got to do due diligence in making sure the game is safe and everyone is safe.

"Once we heard that we needed to get tested, they jumped in the cars and went. 

"One thing we've shown in the game is that we have to do what is need to keep the game going," he added. "We're very fortunate that the game is up and about; Peter [V'Landys] has done a great job with his team to get the game to where it is.

"It's giving everyone something on a weekend to watch and enjoy so we've got to do everything possible to keep it going."