Since the conclusion of the junior representative season, a number of standout male players from the Wests Tigers Pathways system have made their way into the Jersey Flegg Cup (U/21’s) setup.
Representatives from both the Balmain and Western Suburbs programs have made the jump to U/21’s level this season.
We’ll profile each of these rising stars here:
Jared Haywood
Position: Hooker/Half
Junior Rep Team: Balmain Tigers SG Ball Cup
Honours: Australian Schoolboys (2024), NSWCCC (2024)
After representing the Australian Schoolboys side in 2024, Jared Haywood skippered the Balmain Tigers SG Ball Cup side earlier this year.
A skilful but explosive hooker or half, Haywood also had game time in the club’s first NRL trial this season and is contracted to the club until the end of the 2028 season.
Pheonix Godinet
Position: Second Row
Junior Rep Team: Wests Magpies SG Ball Cup
Honours: NSW City U/18’s (2025), NSWCHS (2025)
Pheonix Godinet is a powerful edge forward who has impressed with his dynamic ball-running ability.
A member of the Wests Harold Matthews Cup team which reached the Grand Final last season, Godinet produced a barnstorming effort to score from 25m out in that decider and recently extended his stay with the club until the end of the 2027 season.
Archie Duncombe
Position: Lock/Second Row/Prop
Junior Rep Team: Wests Magpies SG Ball Cup
Honours: NSW Country U/16’s (2022), NSW Country U/18’s (2024)
A hard-working but skilful forward, Archie Duncombe has many strings to his bow.
Able to offload in contact and pass before the line, Duncombe also made his NSW Cup debut this season after being activated as the 18th player reserve in Round 9.
Xavier Tauaifaiga
Position: Centre
Junior Rep Team: Balmain Tigers SG Ball Cup
Xavier Tauaifaiga is a smooth running centre with deceptive strength.
A try-scoring specialist, Xavier scored six tries in seven games for Balmain’s U/19’s outfit this season.
Logan Brookes
Position: Fullback
Junior Rep Team: Balmain Tigers SG Ball Cup
Logan Brookes joined the club’s Pathways system this season from the Townsville Blackhawks and impressed plenty with his outstanding ball-running ability.
An outstanding hat-trick against St. George in Round 2 was the highlight of his 2025 campaign to date.
Marc Tannous
Position: Half
Junior Rep Team: Balmain Tigers SG Ball Cup
Honours: NSWCHS (2023)
An intelligent and measured half, Tannous provides a quality kicking game and game management ability.
Like Haywood, Tannous also received game time in the club’s first 2025 NRL trial against the Bulldogs.
Byronn Laupepa
Position: Second Row
Junior Rep Team: Wests Magpies SG Ball Cup
A damaging edge back-rower, Byronn Laupepa has had a breakout 2025 campaign.
Receiving the Magpies SG Ball Coaches award in 2025, Laupepa played alongside Haywood for Patrician Brothers Blacktown in last year’s National Schoolboys Final.
Jack Nicholas
Position: Winger/Centre
Junior Rep Team: Wests Magpies SG Ball Cup
A prototype modern-day outside back, Nicholas was unfortunately injured for the majority of the SG Ball Cup season.
Tall and athletic, Nicholas debuted for the club’s Jersey Flegg Cup team on the wing in recent weeks, and scored a try for his efforts.
Christian Taupau-Moors
Position: Prop
Junior Rep Team: Wests Magpies SG Ball Cup
Honours: NSWCCC (2025)
One player who is set to make his Flegg debut in the coming weeks is powerful front-rower, Christian Taupau-Moors.
A standout middle from the Wests Harold Matthews Cup team that reached the Grand Final in 2024, Taupau-Moors has featured in the Magpies SG Ball Cup team this year and is contracted with Wests Tigers until the end of the 2028 season.
