Tigers improve but need to do more, says Anasta - Sydney Morning Herald

Tigers 28 Panthers 18

Josh Mansour of the Panthers is tackled by the Tigers defence during the round two NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Penrith Panthers. Photo: Getty Images

STAR off-season recruit Braith Anasta says Wests Tigers need to get their defence in order before rival teams take them seriously.

Anasta, who joined the Tigers after stints at Canterbury and Sydney Roosters, made the blunt assessment after his first win for the club on Sunday against Penrith before a disappointing crowd of 9715 at Campbelltown.

While the performances of rookie halfback Jacob Miller and reserve prop Aaron Woods were highlights of the 28-18 win, coach Michael Potter told his players they still had a lot of work to do.

With prop Keith Galloway facing a minimum of six weeks on the sideline - and maybe much longer - after suffering a pectoral muscle tear and Miller also being forced from the field with an ankle injury, the Tigers' depth is set to be tested when they take on Parramatta on Friday night at Leichhardt.

Woods will assume added responsibility in Galloway's absence, while Potter will consider switching Tim Moltzen to halfback and promoting James Tedesco to fullback or moving Anasta into the halves if Miller is out.

Regardless of who is in the Tigers' side on Friday night, Anasta said they need to further improve on their defence after conceding 60 points in two matches so far. ''We improved a lot today [on last Monday night's 42-10 loss to the Knights], but we can improve a lot more and people aren't going to take us serious until we do,'' Anasta said.

''That is pretty much how it is. No one has really given us a chance this year and probably a lot of that comes off the back of our defence, so if we improve in that area I think people will.''

With Miller under instructions to run the ball more, five-eighth Benji Marshall and hooker Robbie Farah had less pressure on them in attack and the result was some razzle-dazzle football from the Tigers.

Moltzen and winger Marika Koroibete were the main beneficiaries, but many of the attacking raids finished in the Tigers turning over the ball and Potter was more relieved by the win than satisfied with the performance.

''A few of our sets were quite conservative and they were needed at the time, so I thought we were a lot better today at picking the right options in the right set, but there is still a lot of work to do,'' he said.

''I don't mind the guys making those plays when they are on, it is just understanding the tackle count, the field position and whether or not it is a pass that is legitimately on. We have still got to find that balance and I think we are still edging on the other side at the moment.''