2021 Trials

[Tigerlily]

Wests Tigers name squads for Sea Eagles trial match

Author Wests Tigers
Timestamp Thu 25 Feb 2021, 04:00 PM

Wests Tigers Head Coach Michael Maguire has named a strong lineup squad for Sunday's final NRL trial match against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Leichhardt Oval.

The 26-man squad includes new captain James Tamou, Joe Ofahengaue and James Roberts for their first game in Wests Tigers colours, while the likes of David Nofoaluma, Luke Brooks and the Leilua brothers will also play their first trial.

Daine Laurie will start at fullback in place of the injured Moses Mbye while Jock Madden partners Brooks in the halves. Local junior Adam Doueihi — who is suspended for Round 1 — has been named on the extended bench.

Ofahengaue and Tamou will start at prop alongside Jacob Liddle at hooker, after the 24-year-old split time in the number nine role with young gun Jake Simpkin last week against the Sydney Roosters. Simpkin has been named among the interchange list alongside several other young guns including two of the club's Development Players — forward Kelma Tuilagi and centre Reece Hoffman.

Sunday's trial match at Leichhardt Oval will be streamed live and free on the club's website, while limited tickets are available for purchase via Ticketek.

Five grades of football will feature on the day which kicks off at 9:45am with Tarsha Gale, followed by trial matches for the club's Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership, Jersey Flegg, NSW Cup and NRL teams.

WESTS TIGERS NRL
1. Daine Laurie
2. David Nofoaluma
3. James Roberts
4. Joseph Leilua
5. AJ Kepaoa
6. Jock Madden
7. Luke Brooks
8. James Tamou (capt.)
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Joe Ofahengaue
11. Luke Garner
12. Luciano Leilua
13. Alex Twal

Interchange:
14. Tommy Talau
15. Reece Hoffman
16. Adam Doueihi
17. Stefano Utoikamanu
18. Jake Simpkin
19. Alex Seyfarth
20. Tuki Simpkins
21. Michael Chee Kam
22. Kelma Tuilagi
23. Zane Musgrove
24. Russell Packer
25. Thomas Mikaele
26. Tyronne Roberts-Davis

Coach: Michael Maguire

MATCH DETAILS
Wests Tigers vs. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Date — Sunday, 28th February, 2021

Venue — Leichhardt Oval (Mary St., Lilyfield)

 

[KingRobbie]

Pleased to see Kepaoa over Talau.

 

[Speed2burn]

I think Tyrone Roberts can count himself extremely lucky he gets a 2nd chance, especially over Alan Fitz?

 

[Needaname]

Most of these blokes had a good hit out and had a taste of what it would be like against older seasoned players…hope they keep improving as the year goes on…

That would be good except the side the Rorters fielded included players with 0 NRL game experience..not 1..ooh unless you count Brad Abbey....and most not even State Cup

Yes this really concerns me also.
Only 1, One player Fletcher Baker in that trial is part of the Roosters first grade squad.

Now with the new rule change to teams getting access to the 2nd tier cap. All these players are available for depth.
What’s that 60 players loosely contracted to the roosters?
And yet we fielded a side with 8 players of first grade experience and about 10 of them being part of our top 30...

Which side suffered the most injuries last year?.... hmmm.
Which team has a coach on the NRL rules committee?... hmmm.

Guess what guys. We are 5 steps behind the rest of the league, like always......

2nd tier Cap...?

Is that the Rorters other filing cabinet...

Good point. But has it been confirmed how it will work this year yet?

How what works..?

Same as pre-covid...Can only play NRL if you have a top 30 NRL contract...Development contracted players permitted to play after Round 11 but an exemption need to be sought..

2020 Development players were allowed to play with exemption from the restart as Squads were in the bubble..

No bubble as yet..

So it’s not offical yet that players outside of that and in the reserves teams can be used in addition to the development players?

Not that it helps us much.
There would be about 10 players outside of our 30 squad that trialled last night that would be decent enough for reserve grade.

Not sure what you mean official...Not since 2017 when the 2nd Tier cap was abolished have players outside NRL contracted players that can play NRL..

That hasn't changed..

Ok I cannot find the article that confirmed the change but it appears players can be signed outside the 30 on train and trial deals as part of the 2nd tier cap I guess.
They along with the dev players are available for selection from round 11.

Well happy to be corrected..I had not heard that...I will check with Adam Hartigan...

Those deals though would have to come under the NRL salary cap as 2nd Tier cap no longer exists..Interesting concept..

Yes it’s mentioned in the nrl signings news with Parramatta signing Tim Lafai to a part time contract outside of the 30.

https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/01/23/2021-signings-tracker-official-rosters-and-contracts-for-all-16-clubs2/

I take that as could be elevated to a NRL contract later in the year with spots available..

NRL definitely changed it so reserve graders are eligible for first grade from round 11. There was an article about it not too long ago

https://t.co/P8pYaRZtFw

"the NRL has rushed through a rule change to allow clubs to dip into their feeder club stocks midway through the season as injuries begin to hit.

Players outside of the a club’s top-30 roster can be called up from their Queensland Cup or NSW Cup teams from Round 11.

An NRL spokesman confirmed the rule change but added that the players must be signed to club’s on a training deal to take the field."

Cheers mate. Thanks for finding the article. I knew I wasn’t blowing smoke.

I’d be interested to hear the official rule and conditions surrounding it from your chat with Hartigan @Geo. Can you keep me posted?

@Needaname have had it confirmed anyone on a train and trial contract CAN play after Round 10 without exemption..

Oh that’s interesting. Cheers Geo!

 

[TrueTiger]

What do you guys think about Twal in the 13 ....many have said he isnt a lock...
I wonder how Joe O would go as a lock...any thoughts guys..

 

[JC99]

What do you guys think about Twal in the 13 ....many have said he isnt a lock...
I wonder how Joe O would go as a lock...any thoughts guys..

Twal killed it at lock before his injury last year. He can also move into the front row later in the game and someone else can come to lock. I'm assuming Twal will play as a third front rower for the time he's there until Simpkin/Liddle come on and take up the role later in a game.

 

[TrueTiger]

What do you guys think about Twal in the 13 ....many have said he isnt a lock...
I wonder how Joe O would go as a lock...any thoughts guys..

Twal killed it at lock before his injury last year. He can also move into the front row later in the game and someone else can come to lock. I'm assuming Twal will play as a third front rower for the time he's there until Simpkin/Liddle come on and take up the role later in a game.

Has Joe O ever played much lock...he seems like he could handle it....
Hobbo said in the other thread that Twal isnt a lock,he has watched him play many times....I suppose we will have to wait and see what eventuates through the season...

 

[JC99]

What do you guys think about Twal in the 13 ....many have said he isnt a lock...
I wonder how Joe O would go as a lock...any thoughts guys..

Twal killed it at lock before his injury last year. He can also move into the front row later in the game and someone else can come to lock. I'm assuming Twal will play as a third front rower for the time he's there until Simpkin/Liddle come on and take up the role later in a game.

Has Joe O ever played much lock...he seems like he could handle it....
Hobbo said in the other thread that Twal isnt a lock,he has watched him play many times....I suppose we will have to wait and see what eventuates through the season...

He has played a bit there and I thought he might've started there but he's played a lot of prop too. I don't think it changes much swapping those two around, if we had a smaller more agile forward then I'd put them at lock over Twal but with our pack like it is I think he's a good choice there

 

[Geo]

What do you guys think about Twal in the 13 ....many have said he isnt a lock...
I wonder how Joe O would go as a lock...any thoughts guys..

Twal killed it at lock before his injury last year. He can also move into the front row later in the game and someone else can come to lock. I'm assuming Twal will play as a third front rower for the time he's there until Simpkin/Liddle come on and take up the role later in a game.

Has Joe O ever played much lock...he seems like he could handle it....
Hobbo said in the other thread that Twal isnt a lock,he has watched him play many times....I suppose we will have to wait and see what eventuates through the season...

@hobbo1 doesn't think Twal is a footballer..fullstop

 

[hobbo1]

What do you guys think about Twal in the 13 ....many have said he isnt a lock...
I wonder how Joe O would go as a lock...any thoughts guys..

Twal killed it at lock before his injury last year. He can also move into the front row later in the game and someone else can come to lock. I'm assuming Twal will play as a third front rower for the time he's there until Simpkin/Liddle come on and take up the role later in a game.

Has Joe O ever played much lock...he seems like he could handle it....
Hobbo said in the other thread that Twal isnt a lock,he has watched him play many times....I suppose we will have to wait and see what eventuates through the season...

@hobbo1 doesn't think Twal is a footballer..fullstop

Plodderism

Why’d you dump your love child from your avatar?

 

[Geo]

What do you guys think about Twal in the 13 ....many have said he isnt a lock...
I wonder how Joe O would go as a lock...any thoughts guys..

Twal killed it at lock before his injury last year. He can also move into the front row later in the game and someone else can come to lock. I'm assuming Twal will play as a third front rower for the time he's there until Simpkin/Liddle come on and take up the role later in a game.

Has Joe O ever played much lock...he seems like he could handle it....
Hobbo said in the other thread that Twal isnt a lock,he has watched him play many times....I suppose we will have to wait and see what eventuates through the season...

@hobbo1 doesn't think Twal is a footballer..fullstop

Plodderism

Why’d you dump your love child from your avatar?

Outdated pic..waiting for 2021..

 

[hobbo1]

What do you guys think about Twal in the 13 ....many have said he isnt a lock...
I wonder how Joe O would go as a lock...any thoughts guys..

Twal killed it at lock before his injury last year. He can also move into the front row later in the game and someone else can come to lock. I'm assuming Twal will play as a third front rower for the time he's there until Simpkin/Liddle come on and take up the role later in a game.

Has Joe O ever played much lock...he seems like he could handle it....
Hobbo said in the other thread that Twal isnt a lock,he has watched him play many times....I suppose we will have to wait and see what eventuates through the season...

@hobbo1 doesn't think Twal is a footballer..fullstop

Plodderism

Why’d you dump your love child from your avatar?

Outdated pic..waiting for 2021..

It is 2021
You waiting for a pool pic ?
?

 

[momo_amp_medo]

What do you guys think about Twal in the 13 ....many have said he isnt a lock...
I wonder how Joe O would go as a lock...any thoughts guys..

I agree .... but they continue to see something there.
Not sure about Joe O .... too early to see how he goes at prop let alone if he has the skill set to be a successful lock forward.

Also for me persisting with Garner as starting second rower is also a mistake. He will have to show a significant improvement on last year to convince me.

 

[Guest]

I think Tyrone Roberts can count himself extremely lucky he gets a 2nd chance, especially over Alan Fitz?

Agreed. He was worst on field last weekend.

 

[tigger19]

Hi guys has anyone got any info on the nsw cup team,is their a team list out yet?

 

[Speed2burn]

I think Tyrone Roberts can count himself extremely lucky he gets a 2nd chance, especially over Alan Fitz?

Agreed. He was worst on field last weekend.

Like I get people have shockers but that was next level bad. Maybe he was completely shattered and the coach decided to give him a crack at redemption

 

[The_Patriot]

I watched the trial, and thought Madden looked good. Considering he has not played for over 12mths and is 19 what do people expect? Or is this just the Doeihie fan club protecting their favourite boy. I think both will have a good year.

Why is it a fan club just because it’s a differing opinion?
I thought Madden was very rusty bordering on poor. I’m looking forward to seeing what he brings this week now he has that ‘first game’ out of his system

Kicking game was very good. Threw one bad pass.

Showed he can lead a team around the park.

I was happy with his efforts

 

[Tiger_Steve]

I watched the trial, and thought Madden looked good. Considering he has not played for over 12mths and is 19 what do people expect? Or is this just the Doeihie fan club protecting their favourite boy. I think both will have a good year.

Why is it a fan club just because it’s a differing opinion?
I thought Madden was very rusty bordering on poor. I’m looking forward to seeing what he brings this week now he has that ‘first game’ out of his system

Kicking game was very good. Threw one bad pass.

Showed he can lead a team around the park.

I was happy with his efforts

Mate I totally respect your opinion as different to mine but he threw many poor passes. You are probably highlighting the forward pass in the third quarter but I watched him throw men that did nothing for his outside men apart from put them off balance. Also did not think he led the team around. But I’m really looking forward to watching him again because he hadn’t played a game for a long time

 

[The_Patriot]

I watched the trial, and thought Madden looked good. Considering he has not played for over 12mths and is 19 what do people expect? Or is this just the Doeihie fan club protecting their favourite boy. I think both will have a good year.

Why is it a fan club just because it’s a differing opinion?
I thought Madden was very rusty bordering on poor. I’m looking forward to seeing what he brings this week now he has that ‘first game’ out of his system

Kicking game was very good. Threw one bad pass.

Showed he can lead a team around the park.

I was happy with his efforts

Mate I totally respect your opinion as different to mine but he threw many poor passes. You are probably highlighting the forward pass in the third quarter but I watched him throw many that did nothing for his outside many apart from put them off balance. Also did not think he led the team around. But I’m really looking forward to watching him again because he hasn’t played a game for a long time

Watching live I thought he was rusty as hell but watching the replay i though he offered good structure.

Definitely not saying he was perfect but our best half is Luke Brooks. He doesn't have that much to improve to reach that level.

Different kind you f player. The Luke Keary comparison is very accurate

 

[Tiger_Steve]

I watched the trial, and thought Madden looked good. Considering he has not played for over 12mths and is 19 what do people expect? Or is this just the Doeihie fan club protecting their favourite boy. I think both will have a good year.

Why is it a fan club just because it’s a differing opinion?
I thought Madden was very rusty bordering on poor. I’m looking forward to seeing what he brings this week now he has that ‘first game’ out of his system

Kicking game was very good. Threw one bad pass.

Showed he can lead a team around the park.

I was happy with his efforts

Mate I totally respect your opinion as different to mine but he threw many poor passes. You are probably highlighting the forward pass in the third quarter but I watched him throw many that did nothing for his outside many apart from put them off balance. Also did not think he led the team around. But I’m really looking forward to watching him again because he hasn’t played a game for a long time

Watching live I thought he was rusty as hell but watching the replay i though he offered good structure.

Definitely not saying he was perfect but our best half is Luke Brooks. He doesn't have that much to improve to reach that level.

Different kind you f player. The Luke Keary comparison is very accurate

Ok so let’s say he led the team around well. That makes Sunday very interesting. Brooks is saying it’s his job to lead the team around- from both sides of the ruck as he sees fit. That means madden should be playing a heads up, running game from 5/8. Looking forward to see how it plays out.
Note: please don’t reply with a derogatory Brooks comment - I get it ?