Juniors - Pathways General Discussion

What's up with Heamasi Makasini? I am hearing that he wants to leave, and someone else said he signed a contract.

I know a couple of other Juniors have left because their parents have been frustrated with Shannon Gallant. From memory, Aaron Keppie (sharks), Sonny-Edwards Moeke (sharks) and Jonas Peni (Roosters).
 
bigdon1234 said:
What's up with Heamasi Makasini? I am hearing that he wants to leave, and someone else said he signed a contract.

I know a couple of other Juniors have left because their parents have been frustrated with Shannon Gallant. From memory, Aaron Keppie (sharks), Sonny-Edwards Moeke (sharks) and Jonas Peni (Roosters).
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Been well reported that Makasini is being chased hard by other clubs and codes. Fingers crossed we manage to lock him up long term though.

The way Richo has talked about us having one of the best young centres coming through in Harold Matt's suggests he understands the importance of getting him contracted.

Would be nice to get an update over the coming weeks of juniors we have signed up like Large, Godinet, Makasini, Taupau-Moors, etc.
 
bigdon1234 said:
What's up with Heamasi Makasini? I am hearing that he wants to leave, and someone else said he signed a contract.

I know a couple of other Juniors have left because their parents have been frustrated with Shannon Gallant. From memory, Aaron Keppie (sharks), Sonny-Edwards Moeke (sharks) and Jonas Peni (Roosters).
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That’s not good, hopefully something can be done to keep him at Wests Tigers, players with his size, speed and agility don’t come around all that often.
Very excited that Onitoni Large and Phoenix Godinet look entrenched in our system, I believe they are both definite NRL stars in waiting.
 
Vicious said:
Ok that would make Nikora Williams the younger brother of Turoa Williams currently playing Jersey Flegg/NSW Cup for the Roosters, but also played for Concord-Burwood Wolves at one stage.
Toby Rodwell has an older brother Tom Rodwell who plays NSW Cup for the Jets and scores his fair share of tries.
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Surprise surprise the best juniors leave for other clubs before we even get a chance to play them in their local rep team.
 
From Pacific Sports Management facebook:

Congratulations to PSM’s Larry Leha for signing a 2-year deal with the Wests Tigers until the end of 2026.
PSM Agent Michael Redpath was pleased to wrap up the deal for Larry off the back of strong performances for De La Salle College from Larry.

Larry is an 18yo lock forward from Auckland.

IMG_4436.jpg
 
bigdon1234 said:
What's up with Heamasi Makasini? I am hearing that he wants to leave, and someone else said he signed a contract.

I know a couple of other Juniors have left because their parents have been frustrated with Shannon Gallant. From memory, Aaron Keppie (sharks), Sonny-Edwards Moeke (sharks) and Jonas Peni (Roosters).
Click to expand...
We just have to sign Makasini, whatever it takes. He's literally our only outside back with the required skillset and x factor. If he doesn't sign then the whole narrative that we're a development club is baloney and we are a complete failure of a club and need to reset the entire vision we have.

There's no point in developing plodders and squaddies. We needs stars, and he's the only back with the potential to be a star of the future.
 
balmain boy said:
We just have to sign Makasini, whatever it takes. He's literally our only outside back with the required skillset and x factor. If he doesn't sign then the whole narrative that we're a development club is baloney and we are a complete failure of a club and need to reset the entire vision we have.

There's no point in developing plodders and squaddies. We needs stars, and he's the only back with the potential to be a star of the future.
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I agree. This kid has size, speed, skill & footy IQ and will only get more powerful & faster too. He is a 'must' for all the reasons you outlined. I reckon one thing in our favour is he's managed by Tartak who also manages TDS, Laulilii brothers, Feledy, Jordan Miller & the Fainu brothers.
 
balmain boy said:
We just have to sign Makasini, whatever it takes. He's literally our only outside back with the required skillset and x factor. If he doesn't sign then the whole narrative that we're a development club is baloney and we are a complete failure of a club and need to reset the entire vision we have.

There's no point in developing plodders and squaddies. We needs stars, and he's the only back with the potential to be a star of the future.
Click to expand...
Move Onitoni Large to fullback or centre and he will be a much bigger star.
 

Wests Tigers Cubs line up at Leichhardt​

Michael Algeri & Wests Tigers Wed 17 Jul 2024, 02:38 PM

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While the junior representative seasons concluded some time ago, Wests Tigers Cubs program is in full swing, providing our elite juniors with a pathway through the grades.

Orange Cubs in Tamworth in 2024
Orange Cubs in Tamworth in 2024

Wests Tigers Cubs program is separated into three groups, designed to help players transition to the next phase of their rugby league development.

The Cubs system also allows Wests Tigers to bring together its three junior development catchment areas, with Cubs teams made up of players from the Wests Macarthur, Balmain and Group 6 competitions.

White Cubs (U/16s): For Development/Andrew Johns Cup players, or ‘year-young’ Harold Matthews Cup players.

Orange Cubs (U/17-18s): For ‘on-age’ Harold Matthews Cup players, or ‘year-young’ SG Ball Cup players.

Black Cubs (U/19s): For 'on-age’ SG Ball Cup players looking to transition into
the Jersey Flegg Cup program.

Orange Cubs in Tamworth in 2023
Orange Cubs in Tamworth in 2023

In only its third year, the Cubs program has provided the framework for several players in their rise through the grades, including the likes of Jared Haywood and Archie Duncombe.

Archie Duncombe playing Jersey Flegg vs Panthers
Archie Duncombe playing Jersey Flegg vs Panthers

Duncombe began the year as part of the Wests Tigers Orange Cubs program, helping his Macarthur Wests Tigers team to the finals of the Laurie Daley Cup (U/18s).

The talented backrower later played a handful of games for Wests Magpies in the SG Ball Cup (U/19s) and after joining the Black Cubs program, has since gone on to play four games for Wests Tigers in
the Jersey Flegg Cup (U/21s).

Jared Haywood playing SG Ball Cup for Balmain against the Magpies at Lidcombe Oval
Jared Haywood playing SG Ball Cup for Balmain against the Magpies at Lidcombe Oval

Haywood is the club’s most recent Australian Schoolboys representative after gaining selection at last week’s National Championships in Coffs Harbour.

The 18-year-old hooker is progressing steadily through Wests Tigers' Pathways system, having played his first season of SG Ball Cup with Balmain earlier in the year.

Haywood graduated from Orange Cubs to Black Cubs after the junior rep season and is in line to play Jersey Flegg in the coming weeks.

It is the Cubs program that provides the stepping stones from one age bracket to the next, long after the junior rep
seasons have finished.

Orange Cubs celebrate win over Newcastle U/18s in Tamworth in 2024
Orange Cubs celebrate win over Newcastle U/18s in Tamworth in 2024

Some of the club’s most impressive Harold Matthews Cup and SG Ball Cup players will be moving into the Black Cubs program and will get to spend time training with the NRL squad as part of their development.

Wests Tigers Pathways and Junior Recruitment Manager Shannon Gallant is full of praise for the Cubs programs and their influence on junior talent.

“The primary benefit of the Cubs program is that it brings cohesion,” said Gallant.

“Instead of bringing these guys from different regions together when they get to Jersey Flegg, we’re building cohesion in our pathways from day one, as soon as these kids get into our system”.

Building camaraderie at that level, for players and staff, means they’re not unfamiliar with each other when they get to the older age groups.
Shannon Gallant
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“Our junior rep programs run from around November until May, so these programs allow us to continue to connect with our players, so we’re monitoring their on-field and off-field progression right throughout the year.”

Bronson Harrison takes charge of Orange Cubs against the Sharks
Bronson Harrison takes charge of Orange Cubs against the Sharks

Wests Tigers Cubs teams, and Development squads for younger age groups, have played games in recent weeks and the action will continue at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday, 18th July.

Wests Tigers Challenge Cup will see squads from Wests Tigers Group 6, Wests Macarthur and Balmain play games against each other in a round-robin format for the U/13s and U/14s, while the U/15s and U/16s combined Wests Tigers Macarthur will take on Balmain.

The U/16s game will act as a selection trial for the White Cubs squad that will travel to Byron Bay later in the year.

“Each of these programs is designed to prep players for the next step in their career; whether they be White Cubs getting ready for Harold Matthews, or Black Cubs getting ready for Jersey Flegg, NSW Cup or NRL,” added Gallant.

“We’re letting players know what the expectations are early on in their development journey.”

Wests Tigers Members and fans are welcome to watch the Cubs and Development players in action at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday, with games kicking off at 10:55 am.
www.weststigers.com.au

Wests Tigers Cubs line up at Leichhardt

Wests Tigers Cubs program is in full swing, providing our elite juniors with a pathway through the grades.
www.weststigers.com.au www.weststigers.com.au
 
bigdon1234 said:
Besides Zakauri , and Phoneix Godinet, what other back-row prospects do we have?
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Archie Duncombe is held in high regard by the club (an 18yo already moved into JF squad).
Lachlan Broederlow a 20yo about 10 games into NSW Cup
Mitchell Taotua, Magpies SG Ball 19yo, has the physical attributes

That's about it before we start talking 16yos, although I think Solomone Saukuru should be transitioned there next season.
 
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