The Wests Tigers' last-start win over the Newcastle Knights won't be enough to match the Brisbane Broncos according to coach Jason Taylor.
The Tigers came together in the final 20 minutes to sneak away with an eight-point victory over the Knights last Saturday thanks to the performances of halves Mitch Moses and Luke Brooks as well as recruit Elijah Taylor.
However coach Taylor said a repeat effort won't end as well against Brisbane who currently sit third on the NRL Telstra Premiership ladder.
"It's about us focusing in on a high quality performance. I feel like our last 20 minutes last week was some really good footy. Our first 60 was OK but to finish the game like we did was really encouraging and we want to take that into Friday's game," Taylor said.
"The team ran really smooth in the back end of that game where we scored a couple of tries to finish the game off. We really controlled what we did and we'll have to do it for 80 minutes this week – 20 won't be good enough."
Stand-in Tigers skipper Chris Lawrence wasn't as reasonable in his assessment of their win over Newcastle ahead of facing a Brisbane outfit without six Queensland Origin representatives including captain Corey Parker, Sam Thaiday and Darius Boyd.
"We had a win on the weekend but we're under no illusions, it wasn't a good win," Lawrence said.
"We played poorly throughout most of the game and we were lucky to get the win in some aspects. To take a positive out of that, we weren't at our best and we won.
"Brisbane still have the majority of their spine still intact too including probably the two form halves (Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford) in the competition to be honest.
"It's a good opportunity for us but because they have plenty of players missing doesn't mean they're going to be any easier."
Taylor also said concussed duo Ava Seumanufagai – who required two head tests against Newcastle – and Matt Ballin will both be cleared to play the Broncos, though James Tedesco (shoulder) was no chance of featuring.
"Ava's been really thoroughly checked this week and Matt came through his fairly swiftly so both guys will be right to play," Taylor said.
"[Tedesco's] getting closer. We'd like to think it could be next weekend against the Roosters but that hasn't been confirmed yet."
