Weekend Preview: Round 3

Wests Tigers’ NSW Women’s Premiership team came away with a smashing victory over St George last weekend and will be looking to replicate that result against the Rabbitohs on Saturday.

They’ll be buoyed by some big inclusions, with 2022 premiership-winners, Imogen Gobran and Najvada George returning to the side, along with new recruit Pauline Piliae-Rasabale.

Piliae-Rasabale is a former Australian rugby union representative (Wallaroos). The 30-year-old is set to provide the side with some real x-factor out of the five-eighth position.

Note: This match will now be played at 11:00am AEDT.

Harvey Norman Tarsha Gale Cup (U/19s)

Wests Tigers’ Tarsha Gale Cup side scored a tough win over the Dragons last Saturday, and a near-unchanged line-up has been named to take on South Sydney in Round 3.

After succumbing to a four-point loss in Round 1, and then winning by four points last weekend, this team is showing how it loves to stay in the contest.

Middle forwards Jae Patu and Claire Kennedy could again have a big say in the outcome of this game.

Note: This match will now be played at 9:30am AEDT.

SG Ball Cup (U/19s) - Western Suburbs

Western Suburbs’ SG Ball Cup team is two from two to start the season, with a strong side named for this weekend’s Round 3 clash against the Rabbitohs.

Tallyn Da Silva’s influence and control out of dummy half was outstanding in the side’s recent win over the Dragons, so look to him again for another big game this weekend.

Wests take on a South Sydney team which is winless over the opening two rounds, with the Magpies aiming to continue to their perfect start to the season.

Please note: This match now kicks off at 11:30am

SG Ball Cup (U/19s) - Balmain

Tony Sukkar is named to start against North Sydney, and Oliver Lawry is out through injury, after both were forced to leave the field early in last weekend’s tough loss to Parramatta.

With talent such as co-captains, Josh Feledy and Sukkar in this side, as well as the emergence of new talent such as Lachlan Broederlow, Balmain will be hopeful of securing its first win of the new season.

Harold Matthews Cup (U/17s) - Western Suburbs

The Magpies Harold Matthews Cup side sits first on the competition ladder, after two strong wins to open the season.

This weekend, skipper Luke Laulilii’s team faces South Sydney, with Ali Karnib, Denzel-Schaafhausen-Mino, and Dylan Smith, just a few players to look out for after impressive starts to the 2023 season.

Harold Matthews Cup (U/17s) - Balmain

Looking to put last week’s heart-breaking, last-minute loss to Parramatta behind them, Balmain’s Harold Matthews Cup team takes on North Sydney on Saturday morning.

The Bears are also winless after the opening two rounds, with both sides desperate to claim its first points of the new season.

Spine players Michael Nassar and Alex Conti have impressed plenty over the opening two rounds, along with forwards Edwin Langi, Douglas Tuala and Jordan Bunt.

Crafty hooker Jared Haywood returns to the side this week after missing Round 2 due to HIA protocols.

Laurie Daley Cup (U/18s) - Macarthur Wests Tigers 

In Round 3, Macarthur Wests Tigers travel to Leeton to take on Riverina, in its final away match of the regular season.

Heith Pritchard retains his place at halfback after joining the side for last week’s tough draw against North Coast.

Winger Daniel Waqa will also be looking to continue his solid start to the season.

Andrew Johns Cup (U/16s) - Macarthur Wests Tigers 

This side is another in the Wests Tigers pathways system which is undefeated to start 2023. It has the opportunity to go three from three on the road, before finishing the regular season with back to back home games at Kirkham Oval, Camden.

Paul Johnson plays fullback this week after two outstanding performances on the wing to start the season. Look for another strong game in the middle from Skipper PJ French.

NSWRL U/16s Development Trial - Wests Tigers

Saturday, February 18, 9:00 am AEDT - Leichhardt Oval

Wests Tigers vs. North Sydney Bears

This match will consist of players from both the Balmain, Wests, and Macarthur Wests Tigers systems who are not already playing in Junior Rep competitions this weekend.

Some of the club’s outstanding young talent from the U/15’s and U/16’s age groups will feature in this contest.