First time club on top of table but Maguire in no mood for hype

The Wests Tigers sit on top of the Telstra Premiership ladder for the first time in their 20-year history following their 34-6 stirring round two victory over the Warriors but it was the last thing coach Michael Maguire wanted to talk about.

The rare statistic will not be lost on the Wests Tigers diehards for at least the next week though as they finally enter the record books and lap up top spot on the competition table in a first since their foundation year of 2000.

Maguire praised the side's improved performance after last week's scrappy, yet effective result against the Sea Eagles, but wouldn't buy into the hype with the club's opening to the year after back-to-back wins.

"I don't look at the table at all to be honest," Maguire said. "At the end of the day it's a table but for us as a team that's something that is bigger than the ladder.

"I was pleased they played for the 80 minutes. We spoke about the type of team we want to be and that's obviously one of them. If we apply pressure to any opposition then you get some rewards on the back of that.

"We need to learn how to back that up."

Newly appointed skipper Moses Mbye made a successful return to the line-up from a knee injury and made six tackle busts inside 20 minutes alone in a solid outing.

He was well supported by the rest of his teammates, including Luke Brooks (19 carries for 137 metres) and Robbie Farah, who backed up last week's efforts with another high-class showing.

"The spine, I was pleased with how they went about things," Maguire said.

"They stuck to the plan and were able to do the things we spoke about and wanted to achieve. We've got to keep building on that but it's nice to see the boys get some rewards for the stuff he's been doing."

In another boost for Maguire's squad, out-of-favour playmaker Josh Reynolds put his hand up for a selection recall in the club's reserve grade game earlier in the day with a high-quality performance.

"I was really pleased, it was good to see him have a run," Maguire said.

"It's what I've been saying all along, he needs to just get out and enjoy his football and play.

"He had some special moments in that game and overtime we'll work out where we go moving forward.

"He understands what he needs to do. I've got a strong spine that's doing their job.

"I'll assess where we're at after a performance like that but I was pleased with the 17 that stepped out tonight."