Wests Tigers may have gone down on the scoreboard, but there were a number of positive signs from Friday night's trial match against Manly.
DEBUTANTS HAVE SOLID FIRST HITOUT
New recruits Starford To’a, Tyrone Peachey and Oliver Gildart all started their first games in new colours, with the trio impressing; looking especially solid with ball in hand.
With Round 1 quickly approaching, these new faces didn’t hurt their chances of earning a starting spot.
BACK ROW IMPRESSES
A new-look starting back row of Kelma Tuilagi, Luciano Leilua and Tyrone Peachey looked strong for Wests Tigers in the first half, with Tuilagi crashing over for an early try and Leilua’s offloading game troubling the Sea Eagles defence.
Tyrone Peachey was heavily involved and looks set to play a major role for Wests Tigers’ forward pack in 2021.
LOGEN DILLON ONE TO WATCH
Logen Dillon’s electric running was a real handful for the Sea Eagles’ defence throughout the first half.
Displaying real pace and a willingness to look for work, Dillon is certainly one to look out for in the near future.
FIRST LOOK AT YOUNGSTERS IN SECOND HALF
With mass changes to both sides at the presumption of the second half, some Wests Tigers young guns took their chance to shine.
2021 Jersey Flegg captain Rua Ngatikaura and 22-year-old half Joseph Taipari were some clear standouts, with Ngatikaura almost getting over for a second-half try.
The young hooker had multiple damaging runs and proved a real point of difference for Wests Tigers’ young brigade in the second stanza.
