Mbye ready to return to the halves

Wests Tigers playmaker Moses Mbye has spoken about coach Michael Maguire’s decision to shift him into the halves with Adam Doueihi moving to centre.

Mbye, who hasn’t played in the halves since Round 1 to cover for the suspended Doueihi, believes the positional switch is to give the side a shake-up, as well as add extra experience into the spine.

The utility has played 68 games in the halves across his nine-year career and is confident to do his job at five-eighth against the Newcastle Knights at Suncorp Stadium.

“Madge [Maguire] wants us to improve in a few areas and this gives us a bit of a shake-up,” Mbye said.

“We need to improve because we’ve played well in patches, but we’ve also performed poorly in patches this season

“He [Maguire] just want to change something and put a bit of experience in the spine. I feel like I know what I’m doing and I’m confident in my ability in the halves.

“We’ve all got a role to do in our team and at this club — and I’ve got a new role this week. Whether it’s playing off the bench or in the centres or the halves, I’ve got a role that I need to fulfil. We need to win.”

Mbye said the positional change isn’t a reflection on Doueihi’s form, claiming the Lebanese international has been superb throughout 2021.

“In my opinion, Doueihi has been our best player this season to be honest — that’s my assessment on him. It’s not a knock on Doueihi, it’s more of a knock on where we’re at as a group,” Mbye said.

“It gives him a good opportunity to view the game from a different point of view and I’m sure he’ll get better from it.”

Mbye believes his move to five-eighth will help halfback Luke Brooks.

“I’ll be out there to complement Luke [Brooks]. I need to give him space and time to let him do what he does best,” he said.

“He can be on the ball a bit more. We’re confident it’s going to work.”