2017 #KiwiNRL Encyclopedia: Wests Tigers
Look forward to plenty of no-look passes from ET.
Gone are the days of Wests Tigers having the likes of Te Maire Martin and Manaia Cherrington coming through their ranks. They have now - or are currently trying - to put all their eggs into the James Tedesco/Mitchell Moses/Luke Brooks basket and that presents a different angle to their #KiwiNRL contingent.
The Tigers lack the premium #KiwiNRL talent, however they've got a cluster of blokes who all play low key influential roles in how their team performs. I've touched on a few of these lads in depth, led by Josh Aloiai who was recently signed on until the end of 2019 and he's clearly someone who the Tigers believe can play a crucial role not only on the field, but also how they build their culture moving forward.
Aloiai can look forward to plenty of game time on one of the Tigers' edges, while Elijah Taylor won't get any headlines for his work in the No.13 jersey. Taylor will tackle his heart out in the middle of the field, however what he does with the footy will be fun to watch this season as he'll be tasked with doing a job as a link-man between the two halves along with doing some nifty ball-playing with his fellow forwards. Taylor's got a vastly different skillset to other No.13's in the NRL as guys like Jason Taumalolo cause havoc running the footy around the ruck, Taylor on the other hand has subtle skills which suit the style of the Tigers perfectly.
Ava Seumanufagai did a fine job for the Tigers when their leader Aaron Woods was absent via injury last season and I expect Seumanufagai to go to another level this season. He'll probably have to come off the bench with Woods and Sauaso Sue to start, but the Wainuomata junior will churn through metres regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench.
Where Michael Chee-Kam fits in is a tricky conundrum as he's done a job as an edge forward and at centre. That versatility could make Chee-Kam the perfect bloke to carry on the bench, although I suspect Chee-Kam will need to wait for his chance through injuries/suspension.
The Tigers and Sharks swapped #KiwiNRL hookers this summer with Cherrington going to Cronulla and Christchurch's Matt McIlwrick moving the other way. Robbie Farah has left the Tigers but they did snap up Matt Ballin last year and Ballin will probably emerge as the leading dummy half, with McIlwrick and young Tigers hooker Jacob Liddle to fight it out for back up minutes.
Also lurking at Wests' is one of the hottest young #KiwiNRL forwards Esan Marsters. The Cook Island international has been a star in the Under 20s and reserve grade, to the point where he sparked a bit of a bidding war for his signature. Expect him to burst into the NRL and emerge as a powerful edge forward, possibly with Aloiai on the other edge.
Watson Heleta could benefit from Tim Simona's latest dramas, with the outside back from Otahuhu capable of playing centre and wing. Simona's situation isn't overly crazy for the Tigers as they can still line up like this: Tedesco, Nofoaluma, Idris, Naiqama, Rankin. If there's an injury/suspension in that group though, Heleta could make the step up.