MATTHEW Johns has urged Canterbury to go hard at recruiting off-contract Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to reignite the attacking flame that was doused by Des Hasler.
With a new board and a new coaching staff, a new era is dawning at the Bulldogs in 2018.
But it remains to be seen whether the off-field changes translate to on-field performance, which has been lacklustre for the best part of 18 months and ultimately cost Hasler his job.
Much of their woes have come with ball in hand.
With that in mind, rookie coach Dean Pay has shifted Moses Mbye to fullback and he will form a new-look spine alongside recruit Kieran Foran.
But that’s just a short-term fix, according to Johns, who sees Tuivasa-Sheck as the sparkplug the Bulldogs need to challenge for a premiership once again.
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“They’ve got to be in the business of bringing in some creative players. I’d look at Roger Tuivasa-Sheck,” Johns told Triple M’s The Grill Team.
“They need that sort of player, the Bulldogs. Roger would be someone that would give them an enormous lift.”
Tuivasa-Sheck is off contract this year and one of the hottest properties in the game.
He’s being pursued by New Zealand rugby, while a number of NRL rivals, headlined by the Wests Tigers, are also interested in luring the fullback away from the Warriors.
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A move to Belmore would allow Mbye to jump back into the halves or even hooker, drastically strengthening the spine and adding a dimension to the team’s attack.
But Pay has got to make the most of what he’s got right now.
Johns believes Mbye can be a success in the No.1 jersey if he’s allowed to play to his strengths.
David Klemmer of the Bulldogs looks dejected after a loss.
“He’s a really good player Moses and I think if Kieran Foran plays good and leads the side around the park then that will allow Moses to do what he does best and that’s just run the football,” Johns said.
“Play simple, run the football, do what you do well. Watching Moses sometimes last year when he was forced to wear that No.7 jersey and push the side around the park, it just didn’t work for him.
“He looks his best when he gets the ball in his hands and just runs.”
The Bulldogs missed finals last year to end a horror season under Hasler.
And despite the new coach and handful of roster changes, Johns can’t see the club climbing back into the top eight in 2018.
“If Dean Pay can get them into the finals he has done a remarkable job,” he said.
“They’re a club that I think will arrest the slide but not enough to make the finals this year. I don’t see them as a finals team.”
