The Wests Tigers travelled to Newcastle for the club's first NRL trial of 2026 on Saturday and, despite a shaky start, came away with an impressive 42-26 victory over the Sydney Roosters.
On this edition of the Wests Tigers Podcast, Joel, Josh, Declan, and Jordan take a look at what the win means for the club and team for the upcoming season. Fielding a side made up of some of the most promising young players in the club, the performance of guys like Heamasi Makasini, Faaletino Tavana, Javon Andrews, Jared Haywood, and Jack Attard is put under the microscope. Speaking of Tavana, how about that incredible try? We talk about this memorable moment and look at what his future might be in the game. While the boys also look at whether the returning Jock Madden has taken another step to an NRL return with Wests Tigers, debate whether Charlie Murray should be considered for the NRL side in round two, and whether Patrick Herbert did his chances of seeing first grade any harm in a solid first hit-out for the club. There's a run-through of all the 'One Word' responses to the game on the Wests Tigers Podcast Forum (thanks to everyone who contributed).
Some of the other topics up for discussion included:
- Was what we saw on Saturday a sign that the club's investment in pathways is starting to pay off?
- Are we more optimistic about the club's depth for 2026?
- Is there going to be more competition for spots?
Away from the trial game in Newcastle, our attention also turned to Royce Hunt's performance playing for the Maori All Stars this afternoon in New Zealand, as well as giving our thoughts on how the new-look Wests Tigers jersey came across on TV, and naming the thing we are most looking to see in this weekend's NRL trial against the Panthers. It is another big edition of the Wests Tigers Podcast. We hope you enjoy a sometimes hard-to-find post-victory edition!
Listen to "2026 NRL Trial One: Young Wests Tigers Too Good For Roosters" on Spreaker.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
G’day guys, just listening to the pod. In regards to Jordan’s comments regarding Kit and his fitness. I have also attended training a dozen times this season and have seen him do very well & seen him struggle a bit, not uncommon for some middles. Hunt still struggles but has AD or Hodgo etc with him, pushing him yet everyone is raving about how fit he is. But just last week I saw Kit leading a running drill at times so from what I’ve seen he is not incredibly unfit neither is he the fittest of the forwards. None of the 3 or 4 people I talk to who regularly attend training have mentioned anything regarding Kit being unfit either.
And in response to some comments about Heath he told me two weeks ago he’s been training at fullback & lock. Obviously after playing fullback & in the halves this new role at lock & fullback is new to him so he’s going to need time to adjust to what is required of him. Let’s support him & watch his progress, hopefully it goes well.
Mav Geyer had been training away from the group previously to last week. Last week he trained as a middle with the NRL boys.
@russtutty63 thanks for the intel, appreciated.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
Thanks for the pod guys I enjoyed listening.
Personally I am happy to see another prop get a game ahead of Kit L this season. Given his lack of size, you need a lot of talent and/or a lot of luck to make it to the NRL as a regular starter in 2026.
He has had more than enough opportunity and has not taken it.
For what its worth, I put his brother in the same category - anyone getting excited about Luke training the house down this summer should watch a replay of our last game v Roosters. Luke directly contributed to 3 tries through a combination of missed tackles and dropped bombs. Makasini should be given the left wing spot for Rd 2 IMO.
I think the second half on Saturday might have been a slight false dawn given Easts had pulled most of their NRL standard players by that time. When the Butcher brothers, Savala and Wong were out there we got monstered up front.
At kick off I said to myself - for WT to compete this year we need to find 8 more players beyond the Top 17 who can compete at NRL standard in 2026 and 3 of them need to be middles
Sione Fainu and Charlie Murray showed more ability than most other WT forwards
Jock Madden showed he can probably fill a gap in the halves as a back up but wont win you NRL games. Patrick Herbert is in the same category.
Heamasi Makasini is already a class above Cup players (and that is what Saturday was in my view).
That gives us 5 potential back ups. But among the rest I didn't see anyone who really screamed 'NRL is my level."
Sukkar is still developing but I wouldn't call him NRL standard yet. He is on par with Ethan Roberts and Mav Geyer as back row cover.
As you guys hinted on the pod there is some green shoots among the current younger crop.
Attard, Andrews and Tavana (not just because of his try scoring) are a keen watch for me this season in Cup games. I think they have futures. Christian Taupau Moors will be good again after what I hope is a full year in Cup. He is a big man as well and looks fit enough already.
Taotua brothers could make it, I thought the brother who played right back row had a strong carry (Mitch No 24).
Haywood is definitely a better investment than TDS but he needs 18 months in the gym before he is let near NRL. He needs to put on size.
Saukuru looks fitter than previous years and has size. I hope he can get some big minutes on an edge at Cup level to really test his stamina. We have put so much work into him but there is competition in the backrow and I dont know if he has the speed to play centre?
Luke Jack, Tristan Hope, Logan Brookes, Will Craig, Heath Mason & the Laulilii brothers are talented footballers but their ceiling is cup level.
I can see us coming around 13th or 14th again with the caveat that I have a big question mark on our halves. If AD or Latu can lift us to an upset win or two in the first few rounds then we may be able to carry momentum into the latter part of the year.
Relying on Api to play 80 mins for 27 rounds appears to be the likely scenario and is also very risky.
Thanks for the pod guys I enjoyed listening.
Personally I am happy to see another prop get a game ahead of Kit L this season. Given his lack of size, you need a lot of talent and/or a lot of luck to make it to the NRL as a regular starter in 2026.
He has had more than enough opportunity and has not taken it.
For what its worth, I put his brother in the same category - anyone getting excited about Luke training the house down this summer should watch a replay of our last game v Roosters. Luke directly contributed to 3 tries through a combination of missed tackles and dropped bombs. Makasini should be given the left wing spot for Rd 2 IMO.
Luke has a big red pen stroke through his name as far as I’m concerned.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
G’day guys, just listening to the pod. In regards to Jordan’s comments regarding Kit and his fitness. I have also attended training a dozen times this season and have seen him do very well & seen him struggle a bit, not uncommon for some middles. Hunt still struggles but has AD or Hodgo etc with him, pushing him yet everyone is raving about how fit he is. But just last week I saw Kit leading a running drill at times so from what I’ve seen he is not incredibly unfit neither is he the fittest of the forwards. None of the 3 or 4 people I talk to who regularly attend training have mentioned anything regarding Kit being unfit either.
And in response to some comments about Heath he told me two weeks ago he’s been training at fullback & lock. Obviously after playing fullback & in the halves this new role at lock & fullback is new to him so he’s going to need time to adjust to what is required of him. Let’s support him & watch his progress, hopefully it goes well.
I was really pleasantly surprised with Kit's continual effort plays on the weekend. His try was a direct reward for it.
