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After three months of toil, Wests Tigers are about to play their first competitive match of the 2023 campaign, against New Zealand Warriors in week one of the inaugural NRL Pre-season Challenge.
Thursday evening’s clash in Auckland will provide Wests Tigers members and fans with their first glimpse at several of the club’s newest recruits, along with many of the brightest young talents coming through the pathways system.
Several senior players have been rested from the match, providing those selected with the opportunity to stake their claim on one of the many positions still up for grabs ahead of Round 1.
One of those positional battles is set to ensue at fullback, where Daine Laurie, Charlie Staines and young gun Jahream Bula will fight it out for the number one jersey.
Laurie’s inclusion in the Indigenous All Stars squad provides Staines with the first chance to impress in the custodian role, with Bula set to come off the interchange bench.
Long-awaited return for Tommy Talau.
Out wide, Tommy Talau and Liam Scolari both missed the entirety of 2022 after suffering ACL injuries and will make their return to the field alongside one another.
Former Waratah Triston Reilly will don the orange, black and white for the first time at five-eighth as he partners with halfback Brandon Wakeham, who recently joined the club from the Bulldogs.
Wests Tigers most recent recruit Brandon Wakeham.
After earning their first-grade debuts last season, Justin Matamua and Fonua Pole have been named in the back row alongside New South Wales U/19s representative Brandon Tumeth.
Head Coach Tim Sheens has elected to name a young interchange bench, containing several of the brightest prospects from across the Wests Tigers catchment.
Among the talented bunch are Balmain Tigers SG Ball Cup captains Josh Feledy and Tony Sukkar, as well as Australian Schoolboys representative Chris Fa’agutu.
After impressing in last year’s trial matches, hooker Rua Ngatikaura will also make his return in the match after suffering a season-ending ankle injury in 2022.
The NRL Preseason Challenge is set to spice up the trials in 2023 as teams compete for the grand prize of $100,000.
In addition to winning matches, teams will be encouraged to play an attacking brand of football and will receive bonus points for scoring tries, offloading and making line breaks.
All seventeen NRL teams, as well as Super League champions St Helens, will be in action over the two-week competition, with every match to be televised on Fox League and Kayo Sports.
BAGNF05
Well-known member
With respect mate, apart from a couple of recruits and Joffa, they all have to prove themselves after recent years.
tigersmark
Member
Hi all ,first time poster although I have been reading this forum for about 6 or 7 years.
A bit of background on Tristan Reilly .
I had the pleasure of coaching him as a group 2 rep player from when he was under 10's through to under 14's and ironically one of his opponents tomorrow night Luke Metcalf for the same 5 years.
Both boys were the first picked every year, Luke at half and Tristan 5/8. They both lived and breathed rugby league from a very early age. The 2 of them left the mid north coast in there mid teens to pursue their passions but have taken 2 very different paths to arrive at tomorrow nights game against each other.
I see some comments about Tristan being a rugby boy but nothing could be further from the truth, he is through and through a league boy and I wish him and Luke all the best this year and to remain injury free.
A bit of background on Tristan Reilly .
I had the pleasure of coaching him as a group 2 rep player from when he was under 10's through to under 14's and ironically one of his opponents tomorrow night Luke Metcalf for the same 5 years.
Both boys were the first picked every year, Luke at half and Tristan 5/8. They both lived and breathed rugby league from a very early age. The 2 of them left the mid north coast in there mid teens to pursue their passions but have taken 2 very different paths to arrive at tomorrow nights game against each other.
I see some comments about Tristan being a rugby boy but nothing could be further from the truth, he is through and through a league boy and I wish him and Luke all the best this year and to remain injury free.
sounds like your getting excited for the years ahead B5
Kaito
Well-known member
Welcome to the forum & thanks for
that interesting tidbit. Look forward
to the game and their head-2-head
battle tomorrow, coach. Should b good
Halbrowne61
Well-known member
Mate, so much to see and discuss .
Footys back , you bloody beauty !
Wise heads at the club must see something in him. Forum members who’ve seen a lot of him are less praiseworthy but hopefully this is the year he really emerges.
BAGNF05
Well-known member
I think we will improve with a stronger spine and forward pack. If the backline can surprise us then we may be in top eight calculations beyond May this year 😂
Tucker
Well-known member
Quality first post man. Cheers. How he kills it.
Mighty_Tiger
Well-known member
Any attacking style player under Madge structures were stuffed around. I’m willing to give them all a fair crack. Confidence and change in playing style will take time but just want to see improvement as the year progresses.
Halbrowne61
Well-known member
Earl, a lot of them have had issues. Let’s hope it can be cleaned up( in all ways) for future generations !
agree,spine leaves doubts,but who knows
Halbrowne61
Well-known member
Would have to assume he has some type of injury, or, if not ,it’s just that he’s taking Batemans place in next weeks trial.
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Did you listen to the YouTube clip I posted earlier about Ken Maumalo? He couldn't emphasize enough the importance of top centres to a winger's success. He seemed confident but didn't go into too much detail about our current centres.
I know that a centre/s who are good with change ups and quick hands are important as is speed to get on the outside of their opponents. All of our centres so far have a bit of this and a bit of that but we really need a marquee centre. I like the Ramien type. See how things develop with players like Feledy I guess.
Kelce68
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Cobarcats
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Great post and info mate.
Welcome to the forum. That's some good oil for your first post.
Keep em coming brother 👍
Ken's right mate.the centre runs on the ball to the gap and if he splits them the winger gets the ball to finish off the movement...that's why top wingers have the tries to their name..good centres and wide running back rowers are important in today's game and just in my opinion is why Sheen's is hinting at the throwing the ball around....lets hope both the wingers score plenty this year...