NSW Cup & NYC Teams this weekend

[boonboon]

Wests Tigers have announced their teams for this week's NYC and NSW Cup trials against the Penrith Panthers, to be played on Saturday, February 14 at Windsor.

Both squads are coming off a defeat in last Friday's trial match against the Parramatta Eels, but will be boosted by the return of several experienced players that weren't available last weekend as the Club's NRL players return also take the field this weekend.

In NYC, regular halfback Eli Levido returns to the starting lineup, while Australian Schoolboys hooker Jacob Liddle is named in Brett Kimmorley's side for the first time, having delivered a strong performance for the Club's NSW Cup team on Friday night.

Paul Fletcher's NSW Cup side also features the return of several familiar names, with the likes of Joel Luani, Sitaleki Akauola and Salesi Funaki all set to play their first trial match of the year after being rested last weekend against the Parramatta Eels.

NYC will kick off first at 5:00pm, with NSW Cup kicking off at 7:00pm.

Check out Wests Tigers' NYC and NSW Cup teams for this week's trials below.

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VB NSW Cup Team

1\. Sione Alofi
2\. John Sila
3\. Watson Heleta
4\. Marion Seve
5\. Te Kapua Murray
6\. Sitaleki Akauola
7\. Te Maire Martin
8\. Matthew Lodge
9\. Joel Luani
10\. Dallas Graham
11\. Asipeli Fine
12\. Salesi Funaki
13\. Andy Fiagatusa

Interchange
14\. Andrew Kazzi
15\. Michael Bullock
16\. Wesley Lolo
17\. Jordan Grant

Coach: Paul Fletcher
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NYC Holden Cup Team

1\. Mason Cerruto
2\. Obeid Kharwin
3\. Ryland Jacobs
4\. Esan Marsters
5\. Jamian Iroa
6\. Veiru Mapesone
7\. Eli Levido
8\. JJ Felise
9\. Jacon Liddle
10\. Thomas Grealy
11\. Junior Tatola
12\. Mark McCormack
13\. Peter Ta'auso

Interchange
14\. Jaleel Seve-Derbas
15\. Jamie Hill
16\. Hayden Johnston
17\. Hala Masila
18\. Dane Coskerie
19\. Pio Sokobolava
20\. Epalahame Tali
21\. Dwayne Lemafa
22\. Marcel Owen
23\. Jacob Follent
24\. Blake Rickard
25\. Tom Harris
Int. Makaere Bush
Int. Tiawharangi Arauni

Coach: Brett Kimmorley

Please Remember To link articles….. http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2015/02/10/team_announcement_ns.html

 

[Geo]

Interesting State Cup Squad….looks like Liolevave Cherrington Santi and Drinkwater will see some Time against the Eels in the Alice....

 

[Guest]

Akauola at 6 is an interesting choice. State Cup squad still looks a little skinny IMO.

 

[happy_tiger]

Good to see Ryland Jacobs has got a 1st up shot at centre

Put him in your keep an eye him blackbook , have heard he is highly regarded

What do your scouts say Goose ??

 

[LaT]

Akoula would surely be pushing for a first grade spot in R1, I wonder if injury or off field issue (like Lodge) is the reason for playing NSW Cup this weekend?

 

[Geo]

Akoula would surely be pushing for a first grade spot in R1, I wonder if injury or off field issue (like Lodge) is the reason for playing NSW Cup this weekend?

I think it's more to do with getting game time in their legs… Akauola will get more time playng SC...

 

[Tigersmurf]

In my opinion Akoula missed tackles in defence in the 9's and was loose in attack. He also dropped a few balls from memory. I don't think he is consistent enough for first grade and am happy to see him get a full game in NSW Cup to improve,

Agree with Willow with respect to the backs in NSW Cup, but the forward pack and bench is impressive. Plenty of size and should do well.

 

[alexaki]

I don't see Jeremy or Jordan Marshall-king anywhere …..

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[Geo]

I don't see Jeremy or Jordan Marshall-king anywhere …..

_Posted using RoarFEED 4.2.0_

Jordan is no longer with the Club and Jeremy is still returning from injury…

 

[balmain boy]

I find it odd that the standout player frmo last week's NYC trial, Aranui, is suddenlynlisted as an interchage player #27!

While yes some guys were dropping back from NSW Cup, he was huge, broke the line in every charge taking 3-4 opponents to put him down. Didn't see a lot of his defence, but he didn't make any obvious errors that we could see, but the view on the fence at Camden isn't great.

While it's good to see our best young backs all getting another shot against the big boys, it's very worrying seeing Sitaleki at 6\. A lot of pressure on young T to do all the play making, especially with no Cherrington at hooker either. Kind of hanging the kids out to dry - playing them out wide with only one creative player to pass or kick the ball to them.

The lack of a halves at NSW Cup level is very worrying, unless JT is planning on playing Martin there all season. 2 contracted halves in the NRL squad Brooks, Moses). 1 half contracted to NSW Cup (Drinkwater). There's just no depth, which we kinda knew, but literally no-one of even average-poor (eg Stevens, ability to play 5/8!

Although there are 4-5 halves in NYC, so i guess there's the very real possibility that TMM will play up a grade all season.

Put Rowe at fullback, Hoeter on the wing for Sila, Cherrington for Luani who moves to lock and then the extra couple of forwards dropping from the NRL and it's a very strong side, as long as there's 2 halves on the field!

 

[fergiefurr]

The lack of a halves at NSW Cup level is very worrying, unless JT is planning on playing Martin there all season. 2 contracted halves in the NRL squad Brooks, Moses). 1 half contracted to NSW Cup (Drinkwater). There's just no depth, which we kinda knew, but literally no-one of even average-poor (eg Stevens, ability to play 5/8!

Although there are 4-5 halves in NYC, so i guess there's the very real possibility that TMM will play up a grade all season.

Put Rowe at fullback, Hoeter on the wing for Sila, Cherrington for Luani who moves to lock and then the extra couple of forwards dropping from the NRL and it's a very strong side, as long as there's 2 halves on the field!

The halves depth is already worrying. JT mentioned Sirro will be spending time at 5/8 in the AS trial. He also recently said we are unlikely to see moltzen before round 10 this year which to me says it's unlikely he will be in first grade at all in 2015.

Martin has a heap of talent but is tiny and I haven't seen anything in levido to mildly suggest he could handle a step up. If we get injuries in the halves it's going to be a very long year for both 1st grade and state cup IMO

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[balmain boy]

I wouldn't say Martin's small. He's got the biggest frame of all our halves and clearly looks taller than the others, should fill out a bit more over the next year or two. He's bigger than Moses.

Really we need to sign another Drinkwater type. Someone was has been playing QLD/NSW Cup but looking for another chance.

Darren Nicholls? Jay Florimo? etc

 

[bp_tiger]

I will put this out there now, I believe JT has sold the TIGERS down the river by his willingness to forsake signings for 2 years. playing second rowers at 5/8 does no one any good. the lack of depth across the NRL side and in key positions in NSW cup is criminal. I can see both the NRL AND NSW CUP sides at the bottom of the tables for most of the season. Over the years it has been proven that u must mix youth with experience or the youths will fail more often than not. hope iam wrong JT but ur arse is on the line.

 

[littletiger]

Was thinking same thing about Martin's size… I've seen him put some big hits on big guys and reckon he can hold his own..

I hope he is back up for Moses.
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I wouldn't say Martin's small. He's got the biggest frame of all our halves and clearly looks taller than the others, should fill out a bit more over the next year or two. He's bigger than Moses.

Really we need to sign another Drinkwater type. Someone was has been playing QLD/NSW Cup but looking for another chance.

Darren Nicholls? Jay Florimo? etc

 

[littletiger]

Maybe Sirro playing halves with the view of putting him in at Lock..

Who do people think will be playing Lock?

And can Lock's play a ball playing role to back up my theory??

I don't think Sue would be a good lock.

The lack of a halves at NSW Cup level is very worrying, unless JT is planning on playing Martin there all season. 2 contracted halves in the NRL squad Brooks, Moses). 1 half contracted to NSW Cup (Drinkwater). There's just no depth, which we kinda knew, but literally no-one of even average-poor (eg Stevens, ability to play 5/8!

Although there are 4-5 halves in NYC, so i guess there's the very real possibility that TMM will play up a grade all season.

Put Rowe at fullback, Hoeter on the wing for Sila, Cherrington for Luani who moves to lock and then the extra couple of forwards dropping from the NRL and it's a very strong side, as long as there's 2 halves on the field!

The halves depth is already worrying. JT mentioned Sirro will be spending time at 5/8 in the AS trial. He also recently said we are unlikely to see moltzen before round 10 this year which to me says it's unlikely he will be in first grade at all in 2015.

Martin has a heap of talent but is tiny and I haven't seen anything in levido to mildly suggest he could handle a step up. If we get injuries in the halves it's going to be a very long year for both 1st grade and state cup IMO

_Posted using RoarFEED 4.2.0_

 

[LaT]

Locks have changed from a ball playing middle of the park forwards, into fit/mobile and possibly 80min prop.

Sue is best choice if we go with the latter version, but Sirro is perfect if we want to go for the old 5-8th type role in the 13.

 

[littletiger]

What did they do at the Roosters. He may use same form???
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Locks have changed from a ball playing middle of the park forwards, into fit/mobile and possibly 80min prop.

Sue is best choice if we go with the latter version, but Sirro is perfect if we want to go for the old 5-8th type role in the 13.

 

[boonboon]

He mentioned in the members day he is trialling a few changes in the backrow. Many people have said they think Lawrence and this may be true but I think we will see Lock taken by a prop like player. We have a lot of props in our NRL top squad this week. Buchannan, Brown, Seumanufagai, Taupau, Galloway, Woods. I think part of this is the heat of Alice Springs is hard on the big guys but I think this weekend we will see at least 1 if not 2 of these play at lock. I think it will be Buchannan and Taupau playing at lock like Sam Burgess, like FPN. We also have Lodge who will be back

This would allow us to have a Sue on one side who could then move into the middle later in the game and then LIOVLELE OR SANTI on the bench and then carry 3 props so Woods and Galloway starting props, Taupau starting Lock. THen the bench would be Lioleve, Seumanfagai, Lodge, and either Buchannan or Santi

 

[Russell]

I believe Santi has to be in there somewhere - hopefully lock,

 

[cochise]

I will put this out there now, I believe JT has sold the TIGERS down the river by his willingness to forsake signings for 2 years. playing second rowers at 5/8 does no one any good. the lack of depth across the NRL side and in key positions in NSW cup is criminal. I can see both the NRL AND NSW CUP sides at the bottom of the tables for most of the season. Over the years it has been proven that u must mix youth with experience or the youths will fail more often than not. hope iam wrong JT but ur arse is on the line.

Willingness to forsake signings for 2 years, lol. There is no money to sign players, that is why there will be no major signings for the next 2 years. JT's arse will not be online becuase the board knows the position he is in.

I will put this very clearly for you, JT would love to sign players to improve the roster, but there is NO money available.