Coaching Insider: Round 2

Wests Tigers Coach Michael Maguire says his side know what they need to improve on from Round 1 as they look to bounce back this Sunday against the Sydney Roosters.

Level at half-time against the Canberra Raiders, Wests Tigers fell away in the second half with 13 errors and a 75% completion rate — leaving Maguire's men with a clear target to improve on against the Tricolours this week.

"I got a lot out of the game — there was plenty of good stuff but also plenty we know we need to work on," Maguire said ahead of the side's final training session.

"We didn't get the desired result we were after but there were passages of play I was pleased with and passages that we really need to work on.

"We need to fix some things about what we do in certain situations of games when pressure comes at us. We played against a quality team last week and the pressures are different when you're against a team that's been together for a time."

With local junior Adam Doueihi set to return from suspension and start the match at five-eighth, Maguire said the 22-year-old's involvement would be key for his side. 

"He'll bring a lot," Maguire enthused.

"He's been playing five-eighth throughout the pre-season so he's going to bring a familiarity to the position for the team.

"I've been really pleased with how Adam has developed and the way he has looked at his game in the pre-season and gotten his body right.

"He's really looking forward to playing.

"I think the relationship between Adam and Brooksy throughout the pre-season has been strong and that's a big key to being able go through a game."

Doueihi will partner fellow local junior Luke Brooks in the halves for the first time in their careers, with the experienced halfback set to become the first No. 7 in Wests Tigers history to reach 150 games for the club.

Maguire was full of praise for the Holy Cross junior in his work ethic and commitment to the club, and was looking forward to watching Brooks on Sunday.

"It's a great achievement for Luke," he said.

"I know he hasn't had the desired results of what he would like but what I do know is the results he's after. The passion that Luke has for the club — if everyone knew what I can see then they'd know how much the group is behind him.

"At the end of the day it's about performance and he's working really hard to ensuring that this team gets up to where we want to get to.

"I hold these milestones in high regard because they're something they can look back on and appreciate about what they've achieved," he added.

"I've been really pleased with Luke's pre-season and how he's reflected on Round 1 — there's lots of areas he's improving on and wanting to take forward — and they're the things you want to do each week with your players.

"He's always the last one to walk off the field and works extremely hard, and I know that if he stays at it then he's going to get the desired results."