Can Sheens get the best out of Benji?

Can the Tigers' forwards live up to their promise?

There was not a lot the Tigers could have done to improve their pack  – a pack already the envy of most in the NRL – but the recruitment of Adam Blair from the Storm adds a new dimension to their go-forward.

Blair, often touted as among the world's best forwards, but perhaps going a little stale down in Melbourne, promises to strike up a dynamic partnership with existing totems of the pack Gareth Ellis, Keith Galloway and the extremely promising Aaron Woods. Then there is the ever-reliable Chris Heighington, the fearless youngster Matt Groat and, signed from Penrith, the under-rated Matthew Bell. It seems unfeasible that anyone should get the better of the Tigers' forwards in 2012. If they do, there should be hell to pay.

What will they do with Moltzen?

There was no little drama for the Tigers at the back end of 2011. Firstly, they played their part in a tedious tug-of-war with St George Illawarra over Tim Moltzen, and secondly, they had to deal with yet another off-field controversy from wayward halfback Robert Lui. Ultimately, Wests came out of both situations in credit, getting rid of Lui to the Cowboys while keeping Moltzen.

This means they have a few positional dilemmas on their hands ahead of the 2012 season. Logic would suggest that Moltzen will take Lui's no.7 shirt, meaning the fullback spot is open, albeit with no particularly strong candidates putting their hand up. Mitch Brown is one possibility, or they could keep Moltzen at the back and utilise the emerging Jacob Miller or new recruit from Parramatta Tom Humble at halfback. Either way, the question of who will play in these two key positions for the Tigers seems far from settled.

Can rivals outflank the Tigers?

On paper, Wests seems to have everything; powerful forwards, the best playmaker around in Benji Marshall, a hooker of finesse in Robbie Farah, a couple of quality centres in Chris Lawrence and Blake Ayshford, and one of rugby league's coaching greats in Tim Sheens.

However, dig beneath the surface and a few cracks are visible. In 2011 Wests lacked sufficient back-up for their three-quarters, which explains the canny signing of centre Joel Reddy from Parramatta. But the Tigers' stock of wingers looks a little light. Lote Tuqiri and Matt Utai are both in the twilight of their careers (fine finishers both, mind), while Beau Ryan, despite being capable and consistent, strikes fear into few opponents. The Tigers' flanks, while hardly a weakness, remain an area where some extra spark wouldn't go amiss.

How will they get the best out of Benji?

The game's best five-eighth enjoyed several vintage performances in 2011, and his range of skills remains unrivalled. But at times he can come across like a real crosspatch if things aren't going so well: it is a quietly held conviction among many in the NRL that he has a strong aversion to being tackled. This is not all that unreasonable, but rather a sign he can be easily frustrated.

To their credit, in 2011 Wests did not rely as exclusively on him for inspiration as they have in the past. But it still makes sense to build their game around a player of such gifts, which demands that he not go missing during the big games, not strain to do too much, harden up his defence and generally accept that, despite his other-worldly abilities, he has the limitations and foibles of all human beings.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of BigPond Sport.