World Cup an important step for younger Tigers

This time next weekend the Rugby League World Cup will be under way! It's a somewhat unique experience for league fans who are so used to seeing  Australia, New Zealand and England regularly do battle on any sort of significant scale.  Now we throw in the Cook Islands, the USA and good ole' Ireland amongst the 14 teams who will contest the 2013 World Cup in England and Wales.

For Wests Tigers the representation is strong and definitely worth keeping an eye on most matches. Representing the club are the following players:

AUSTRALIA - Robbie Farah
COOK ISLANDS - Keith Lulia
FIJI - Marika Koroibete
IRELAND - Pat Richards
ITALY - James Tedesco
SAMOA - Sauaso Sue
TONGA - Ben Murdoch Masila
USA - Joel Luani


Masada Iosefa (Uncontracted), Brenden Santi (Parramatta 2014) also kind of represent the club having represented the club in 2013.

Whilst seasoned players such as Robbie Farah, Keith Lulia and Pat Richards will take the World Cup in their stride, the Cup represents a unique and important step in the development of our younger brigade. Not only is it an extension of their 2013 season but also an opportunity to play with quality players in an international arena. For example, imagine the benefits James Tedesco can reap by training and  being nurtured by Anthony Minichello. Or the same benefits for Sauaso Sue who can find value in what fellow Tonga squad members Reni Maitua or David Fa'alogo can offer.

Joel Luani gets a massive chance to play against opposition stronger than he is used to when he lines up for USA, assuming of course they get out of their group. As does Marika Koroibete who's 2013 season barely got going due to injury. Koroibete will get the chance to face both England and Australia. It's a massive learning curve for the young winger.

Perhaps though the biggest challenge falls to Ben Murdoch-Masila who's 2013 form showed flashes of his potential but also lacked the consistency needed. Tigers coach Mick Potter seemed to give Murdoch-Masila an enlarged role towards the back end of the season which did have some success. There's no doubts though that Ben needs to fine tune his game and make it more consistent because at his best he can be damaging. Who knows? His experiences here at the World Cup may just help him do so.

Overall this World Cup can be a real benefit for Wests Tigers. To have the likes of Tedesco, Sue, Murdoch-Masila, Koroibete and Luani all involved is only going to help their development as  younger players. The challenge rests with them though. The experience gained by this opportunity will hopefully lead to benefits at club level that will be felt down the road in time.

Wests Tigers 2014 squad - Halves and Hookers

Last night www.weststigers.com.au  gave us the latest instalment of our 2014 squad, with the focus being on halves and hookers this time. 7 players have been named to fill the 2 positions:

Braith Anasta
Blake Austin
Luke Brooks
Robbie Farah
Joel Luani
Tim Moltzen
Mitchell Moses

OFFICIAL ARTICLE - http://www.weststigers.com.au/news-display/Wests-Tigers-2014-squad--Hookers--Halves/85372

Coach Mick Potter is leaning heavily on the experience that Braith Anasta and Robbie Farah bring on the field. Their experience and leadership will be vital. Particularly with the squad appearing as in experienced as last years squad. Luke Brooks is one that many will be expecting big things of, especially on the back of a stellar debut versus the Dragons in 2013. Whether this is fair, probably not, but this is how it will be. Joel Luani serves as our back up hooker option and will provide some assurance for when Robbie Farah is not there.

For Mitchell Moses, a lot will depend on how he goes physically with his pre season. 2013 had some class moments for Mitch in the 20's competition but a run of injuries is a cause for concern. Getting him stronger appears the first goal, first grade football will come down the road. Blake Austin joins from Penrith and looks set to challenge for the 5/8 position and serve as back up should Anasta be missing.
Last but not least there's Tim Moltzen. His first goal will simply be to get minutes in his legs coming back from an ACL injury. I'd expect him to play heavily in the Auckland Nines competition to get those minutes up. Long term, coach Potter has earmarked him for that utility role which suggests he'll start the season as back up.


Expected Combinations  - NRL              NSW Cup                           Holden Cup
                                                
6. Braith Anasta                                 6. Blake Austin                 6. Mitchell Moses
7. Luke Brooks                                  7. Tim Moltzen
9. Robbie Farah                                 9. Joel Luani

Wests Tigers surpass 1'000 members in first week of sales

The news tonight that Wests Tigers have passed 1000 members for 2014 after barely a week on sale is indeed a promising sign. For one, it shows that the club has got it right with the mix of packages on offer. Fans have voted by committing to the club.

As stated in the press release: 

http://m.weststigers.com.au/news-display/Wests-Tigers-reach-1000-Members-for-2014/85388

Becoming a member has become more than simply being a season ticket holder. It's now more to do with committing to the club. Supporting it financially. In return fans feel as though they're part of the club officially. With this sort of bond between fans and club, only good can come from this.

Last season Wests Tigers recruited over 11'000 members. It's safe to say that even at this early stage, they should surpass that with relative ease.

If you haven't already jumped on board yet, I strongly urge you to take that leap and become a Wests Tigers member.