Reported Leeds Rhinos target masterminds the shock of the season

The Wests Tigers have been doing it tough to start the NRL season.

Going into today’s game former Hull KR boss Tim Sheens’ long term project had gotten off to the worst possible start with the Tigers, similar to Wakefield Trinity, without a win to start the season and some hidings to their name.

Former Wigan Warriors star John Bateman has done his level best to try and spark them into life but it has been tough especially with mounting pressure on halfbacks Luke Brooks especially after former Salford Red Devils star Jackson Hastings’ move to Newcastle Knights.

Today seemed like the worst possible opponents for them as the NRL Champions were in town in the shape of the Penrith Panthers.

It was a wet game as the Tigers produced the shock of the season so far and Brooks was at the heart of it.

His grubber kick gifted a try to World Cup star and halfback partner Brandon Wakeham.

He also nailed two 40/20s as he proved the beating heart of their 12-8 triumph against the Premiers.

It perhaps answers a lot of the questions that were persisting about the halfback and his future.

But it could also show Leeds Rhinos fans who have doubts about the club’s reported interest in him that he could be the ideal halfback to bring in and replace the out of contract Aidan Sezer and Blake Austin.

It was the Mole of Wide World of Sports who initially reported that Leeds were interested in the halfback and on today’s showing he would be an excellent signing.