Wests Tigers announce pathways squads

Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership

After securing their maiden premiership in 2022, Wests Tigers’ NSW Women’s Premiership side has retained the core of its champion team, and will be striving to go back-to-back.

The season starts with a Grand Final rematch against the Sharks at Campbelltown Stadium.

Premiership-winning Coach, Adel Hage returns to the fold, as does the likes of star halves combination, Losana Lutu and Emily Curtain, who will be looking for a strong season before Wests Tigers’ inaugural NRLW campaign kicks off later in the year.

The addition of Sydney Thunder bowler, Belinda Vakarewa and Australian Bobsled pilot Ashleigh Werner, are two of the more interesting stories to follow in the 2023 season.

Wests Tigers will also be boosted by the return of skipper, Botille Vette-Welsh, who will make her long-awaited return to the field, after missing last season with a major knee injury.

Squad:

Bianca Bennetts, Erin Coll, Harmony Crichton, Emily Curtain, Sophie Curtain, Shekinah Edwards, Najvada George, Imogen Gobran, Ruby Jean Kennard, Jessica Kennedy, Josie Lenaz, Jasmine Lepua, Losana Lutu, Shelby Muir, Georgia Nies, Taylor Osborne, Christian Pio, Rebecca Pollard, Ebony Prior, Eliza Siilata, Tess Staines, Jay Jay Taylor, Hope Tevaga, Belinda Vakerewa, Folau Vaki, Botille Vette-Welsh, Ashleigh Werner, Jessica Whelan, Kiara White

Jersey Flegg Cup 

Wests Tigers' U/21s side, coached by Scott Kenna, includes some outstanding young talent, many of whom are entering their second season of Jersey Flegg Cup football.

The likes of Jahream Bula, Michael Tannous, and Zane Camroux, among others in the roster, have spent time training with the NRL squad during the 2023 pre-season.

After securing a finals berth in 2022, this group now has some valuable big-game experience, and is expected to give the competition a real shake.

Squad:

Vaka Aho, Jaycob Anjoul, Tristyn Ball, Jahream Bula, Zane Camroux, Jake Christian, Joseph Delle, Bailey Hodges, Emmanuel Kandidakis, Jay Kirk, Tray Lolesio, Manaia Matthews, Isaak Nasio, Leo Nasio, Finnley Neilsen, Cayne Nicholas, Jackson Owen, Trey Peni, Livai Saukuru, Mikey Tannous, Kienan Tempest, Herman Tofaeono, John Tuipolotu, Sione Vaihu

Train & Trial:

Jack Burgess, Semisi Foliaki, Cody Kelso, Noah Ryan, Lafaela Taupai, Naati Teaupa, Lachlan Woodger

Harvey Norman Tarsha Gale Cup 

Wests Tigers Tarsha Gale Cup Under-19s team will be led by an all-female coaching staff in 2023, which is a first for the club.

A select few members of this squad, including Mia Taylor, Ashanti Pennell and Harmony Crichton have trained with the NSW Women’s Premiership team over pre-season, and have impressed with their skill and enthusiasm.

Crichton, who is the younger sister of Stephen and Christian, has been a particular standout and remains training with both squads.

Squad:

Chelsea Blankenstein, Abby Crane, Harmony Crichton, Breanna Cunningham, Iemaima Etuale, Ella Fielding, Kristen Grima, Charntelle Haenga, Ma'u Halatoa, Olivia Hind, Emily Hodge, Imogen Hope, Claire Kennedy, Chantel Lee, Nelisa Leutele, Imogen Lowe, Myracle Matara, Shanae Morrison, Jae Patu, Ashanti Pennell, Emma-Lee Raciti, Havana Simpson, Jorja Simpson, Skye Southon, Mia Taylor, Tiana-Lee Thorne, Sofaia Vaki, Emily Wooden.

SG Ball Cup - Western Suburbs 

Wests Under-19s squad is brimming with talent in 2023 and includes no fewer than 13 players from last year's premiership-winning Harold Matthews Cup team.

Harold Matthews Cup graduates, Tallyn Da Silva, Jordan Miller, and Kit Laulilii, have all trained with the NRL squad over pre-season, as has new recruit Chris Faagutu, who is an Australian Schoolboys representative.

Joey Saukuru’s outfit will be hoping to build on the combinations already existing between this familiar group.

Squad:

Brycen Anae-Roberts, Teancum Brown, Lachlan Bush, Zakauri Clarke, Tajh Colquhoun, William Craig, Tallyn Da Silva, Christopher Faagutu, Sosefo Finau, Lachlan Galvin, Tino Tavana, Luke Keppie, Kit Laulili'i, Jeremiah Leatigaga, Ofele Lene, Raymond Lole, Heath Mason, Jordan Miller, Thomas Pati, Elijah Pettit-Young, Heith Pritchard, Solomone Saukuru, Mou Taumaletila-Maulolo, Junior Taungatua, Masei Tavui, Harrison Valevatu, Daniel Waqa.

SG Ball Cup - Balmain 

Our Balmain Under-19s side looks primed for another strong season after making the finals in 2022.

A couple of players to watch include prop Tony Sukkar who spent time in the NRL squad this pre-season, as well as NRL Development Player Josh Feledy, who joined the club in 2022.

New Zealand recruit, Oliver Lawry also took part in a handful of NRL training sessions over pre-season, and is a big and skilful half.

Squad: 

Lipina Ata, Lachlan Broedlow, Levi Conti, Jonas Cook, Bryson Demanuelle, Kian Edmed, Jesse Eljuga, Josh Feledy, Michael Feledy, Aiden Harb, Johnny Ibrahim, Cameron Kanaan, Hosea Kedzlie, Will Kennedy, Keenan Lawandos, Oliver Lawry, Lotu Lavilavi, Zaid Lehn, Jackson Lill, William Malloy, Elijah Mataale, Billy McNickle, Adam Mehrez, Brendan Naicori, Charlie O'kane, Velangi Otahaha, Joe Schmitzer, Jekope Sovau, Gabe Stuart, Tony Sukkar, Jordan Tut Chapman, Kaisara Tuimauga, Wade Zreika

Harold Matthews Cup - Western Suburbs

With the majority of their premiership-winning team from last season progressing to SG Ball Cup in 2023, it’s a new-look Western Suburbs Under 17s side this season.

While the likes of Luke Laulilii and Nathaniel Gallagher return for a second year in the Harold Matthews Cup, a new brigade of talent will be aiming to stake their claim as stars of the future.

Ali Karnib, Onitoni Large, and Alex Isdale were just a select few of these newcomers to star at last year’s U/15’s Australian Schoolboys Championships, and look set to impress for Wests in 2023.

Squad:

Cooper Black, Joel Byrne, Cooper Clarke, Archie Duncombe, Kurtis Dupond, Sonny Edwards-Moeke, Saint Fuatimau, Maddax Fui, Nathaniel Gallagher, Pheonix Godinet, Chase Hepi, Alex Isdale, Ali Karnib, Aaron Keppie, Onitoni Large, Luke Laulilii, Byronn Laupepa, Kohan Lewis, Kimball Liufau, Heamasi Makasini, Callum McMenemy, Brooklyn Milford, Riley Oitmann, Amazon Pua'avase, Cooper Rauhihi, Lucas Rossi, Denzel Schaafhausen-Mino, Dylan Smith, Sebastian Sykes, Peter Ta’ai,

Development:

Siotame Havea Jr, Ashton Large, Jonas Peni

Harold Matthews Cup - Balmain

Similar to Wests’ Under-17s team this year, Balmain has a handful of players returning from last season but for the most part is a new-look outfit of exciting, young talent.

A few players to watch include halfback Alex Conti who took part in the NSW Emerging Blues camp over pre-season, fullback Michael Nasser and hooker Jared Haywood.

Squad:

Jacob Ah Lam, Matty Atchinson, Patrick Bayeh, Tyler Birnie, Michael Boustany, Jordan Bunt, Jamie Carroll, Alex Conti, Jacob Crotty, Hayden Elkris, Ilai Esau, Junior Fatuio, Antonio Harb, Jared Haywood, Cooper Henderson, Lee Howlett, Jean-Paul Kawtal, Edwin Langi, Bill Lloyd, Adam Meslemani, Mikey Nasser, Julius Pula, Joseph Raad, Adrien Safi, James Safi, William Sefo, Sam Sherlock, Marc Tannous, Dougie Tuala, Jonah Watson,

Laurie Daley Cup - Macarthur Wests Tigers 

After falling one game short of a grand final appearance in 2022, Macarthur Wests Tigers’ Under 18s team will be boosted by the addition of a handful of Wests Harold Matthews premiership-winning side for their upcoming campaign.

The likes of James Folaumoetu’i, Harry Delaney, and Bowen Roper join the squad in 2023, after tasting premiership success for the Magpies last year.

This group will once again be led by head coach, Tom Morrison.

Squad: 

Junior Borg-Taveuveu, Ryan Campbell, Harry Delaney, Joseph Eccleston, Brayden Faiai, John Finianos, James Folaumoetu’i, Zac Gibson, Kye Jones, Likari Leota, Cooper Mangan, Noah McKenzie, Sylvester Neil, Kalasini Papalii, Ryan Polsen, Luke Prebble, Harley Rebbeck, Bowen Roper, Jone Rorocolo, Livai Saukuru, Ielly Smith, Liam Starr, William Stimson, Isaac Sykes, Lawdez Taurerewayucel, Seth To'o, Gene Wighton, Ewan Xuereb.

Andrew Johns Cup - Macarthur Wests Tigers 

Headed up by new head coach, Alec Bush, this group of players is an entirely new-look team, with it being the first experience in a representative program for this young squad.

The coaching staff have been impressed by the squad’s development over pre-season, with middle forward Sam-Paul Mauga, and powerful winger Isaac Orji, particularly impressive.

Squad:

Kwan Ah-Hoe, Lamontae Banderson, James Bengura, Selby Campbell, Lorima Cosgrave, Deacon Davis, Stirling Faumui, Christopher Filikitonga, PJ French, Glassie Glassie, Riley Ingersole, Will Jenkins, Paul Johnson, Jake Jones, Isaac S Lafi Leulu, Dwayne Lyons, Malcolm Mailo, Sam-Paul Mauga, Lucas Muir, Jack O'Hara, Isaac Orji, Aaron Paea, Aaron Prodromou, Ilaisa (Sonny) Raravula, Hunter Redman, Henare Reti, Preston Smallwood, Brody Taateo, Jerome Taateo, Tomasi Tavui, Tyler Volcov, Hayden Young,