Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor has conceded boom playmaker Luke Brooks's preparation for the 2015 NRL season is less than ideal.
Brooks risks going into the Tigers opening fixture against Gold Coast on March 7 underdone, with Saturday's final trial fixture against Cronulla his sole pre-season hitout for the joint venture.
Taylor will opt for Brooks and fellow young gun Mitchell Moses as his first-choice halves combination for this year.
But he admits they haven't had as much time to gel as he would have liked.
"It was great for Brooksy to play in the All Stars last weekend, but it would have been good to have him for us," Taylor said.
"We only get the one trial for those two together and for the rest of the team to have their halfback who is going to start the season.
"That is not ideal, but that is why this trial on the weekend is really important for us."
Another focus for the Tigers will be on injury-prone fullback James Tedesco.
The 22-year-old, who reneged on a deal with Canberra to re-sign with the Tigers midway through last season, will play his first game in more than six months against the Sharks following his recovery from a knee injury.
"He has been training well. He will spend a bit of time on the field, he won't start," Taylor said.
"But it is a big boost for us."
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