A new chapter in the history of the Wests Tigers will be written on Sunday, March 10.
For the first time, Wests Tigers will field a team in the strong NSW Cup competition after being represented by Balmain Tigers and Western Suburbs Magpies since 2000.
Wests Tigers Coach Paul Fletcher said it was an exciting time.
"Everybody involved with the team knows what Sunday means. We are looking forward to it,'' Fletcher said.
"It is so much easier for the players and the Club to just be one team now in the Wests Tigers."
Some strong pre-season trial form has Fletcher confident heading into the opening round clash against Cronulla Sharks at Sharks Stadium.
"We played some really good football. I was pleased with the performances,'' he said.
"The first 5-6 games of the season are all about getting your completion rates up and eliminating errors. You want to control your discipline. If you can do that, you are in the game for a long way.
"The Sharks will be tough at home. They have the luxury of having Melbourne Storm players in Brett Finch, Sam Tagataese and Maurice Blair in their side.
"It will be a real good test to see where some of the younger guys in Sauaso Sue and Asipeli Fine are at.
"Asipeli has surprised me with his athleticism and his willingness to learn.
"To be honest, the U20s players from last year who come up to the NSW Cup have been the best lot of kids I have been involved with at a club level.
"There are no egos and it is a real credit to Todd Payten and his staff. They have kept them level headed."
Kick-off at Sharks Stadium is from 2pm.
For the first time, Wests Tigers will field a team in the strong NSW Cup competition after being represented by Balmain Tigers and Western Suburbs Magpies since 2000.
Wests Tigers Coach Paul Fletcher said it was an exciting time.
"Everybody involved with the team knows what Sunday means. We are looking forward to it,'' Fletcher said.
"It is so much easier for the players and the Club to just be one team now in the Wests Tigers."
Some strong pre-season trial form has Fletcher confident heading into the opening round clash against Cronulla Sharks at Sharks Stadium.
"We played some really good football. I was pleased with the performances,'' he said.
"The first 5-6 games of the season are all about getting your completion rates up and eliminating errors. You want to control your discipline. If you can do that, you are in the game for a long way.
"The Sharks will be tough at home. They have the luxury of having Melbourne Storm players in Brett Finch, Sam Tagataese and Maurice Blair in their side.
"It will be a real good test to see where some of the younger guys in Sauaso Sue and Asipeli Fine are at.
"Asipeli has surprised me with his athleticism and his willingness to learn.
"To be honest, the U20s players from last year who come up to the NSW Cup have been the best lot of kids I have been involved with at a club level.
"There are no egos and it is a real credit to Todd Payten and his staff. They have kept them level headed."
Kick-off at Sharks Stadium is from 2pm.
