Wests Tigers Black Cubs have returned home from their 4-day tour across the Tasman following a 24-20 victory over a Warriors development team on Sunday.
The touring side didn’t back away from the challenge when faced against a very physical Warriors outfit, hard-running and heavy collisions a feature of the match.
Wests Tigers Cubs' middle forwards Junior Taungatua and Elijah Mataale led the way, laying a solid platform for others to play off.
Halfback Luke Keppie also impressed, controlling the tempo of the game and kicking a brilliant 40/20.
The Cubs' back five were also very effective. Ofele Lene and Brenden Niacori worked hard to get the team into good field position, while fullback Tino Tavana scored a length-of-the-field try off an intercept to seal the victory.
About the Cubs:
Wests Tigers Cubs Program has three squads - Black, Orange, and White, catering for different pathways’ stages.
The respective programs bring together our best young players from the club’s three junior leagues, namely Wests, Balmain and Macarthur, providing specialist coaching in readiness for next season.
Black Cubs is for players looking to transition into Jersey Flegg in 2024, who have been identified through the SG Ball Cup competition.
This trip completes the Black Cubs 2023 junior representative commitments and has given the club great insight to its future potential SG Ball and Jersey Flegg players.
Cubs enjoying their New Zealand experience
Wests Tigers Black Cubs vs New Zealand Warriors
1. Tino Tavana
2. Ofele Lene
3. Will Craig
4. Brendon Niacori
5. Will Malloy
6. Oliver Lawry
7. Luke Keppie
8. Elijah Mataale
9. Heith Pritchard
10. Junior Taungatua
11. Zakauri Clarke
12. Lachlan Broederlow
13. John Ibrahim
14. Jeremiah Leatigaga
15. Elijah Petit-Young
16. Keenan Lewandos
17. Solomone Saukuru
18. Cameron Kanaan
Staff:
Joey Saukuru, Brodey Castle, David Watts, Robert Mears, Kristy Peters, Christian Urso, Feleti Mateo.
