Wests Tigers

Top Kiwi prospect Tuki Simpkins joins Wests Tigers after player switch

The 19-year-old edge forward has swapped clubs with former Tigers wing Kane Bradley.

Simpkins, a former Rotorua Boy's High School first XV forward, had one game for the Townsville Blackhawks – a Cowboys feeder club – in the under-20s grade last year before the season was aborted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He was highly regarded in North Queensland, but Cowboys head of football Micheal Luck said “Tuki had an opportunity to take up a long-term deal with another club, and we wish him all the best’’.

Tigers confirm Marshall won't be at club in 2021 as Benji plans to play on

It comes as several of the club’s players raised trust and communication issues with coach Michael Maguire during a crisis meeting on Monday, with concerns growing over the coach’s rapport with the playing group.

Marshall’s manager began calling rival NRL clubs on Monday night, offering the five-eighth’s services for next year following a two-hour meeting with Tigers officials during the afternoon.

NRL club sounded out Folau

The Sydney rugby league club was said to have put out the feelers to see if the former Wallabies star would be interested in returning to Australia but were told it was not an option for the 31-year-old.

However, the club did not make a formal offer, the report says.

“Wests Tigers were just feeling out the situation. It didn’t go too far and nothing will come of it,” a source close to Folau was quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph.

Joey Leilua takes Warriors to pieces in barnstorming Tigers debut

Replacement hooker Reynolds barrelled over from dummy-half near halftime to level the scores 6-6- before the visitors controlled the second spell on Sunday against the injury-hit Warriors.

It will have been a sweet moment for the 30-year-old former Blues Origin star, who was only cleared this week of domestic violence allegations after NSW police dropped charges against him.

Reynolds’ try preceded a dominant second half for the Tigers, who crossed twice through winger David Nofoaluma and through a sharp chip and chase from Luke Brooks.

Pearce set for long stint on sidelines

Pearce left the field inside the final five minutes, with Jamie Buhrer filling in at halfback and placing a kick that resulted in the match-winning try to winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall.

Brown indicated post-game scans were set to confirm the extent of the injury but said it didn't look good.

The Knights coach also cleared any confusion during the game by confirming Pearce was replaced by Luke Yates as a free interchange - with Yates able to return to the field after passing a HIA examination.

Benji and Brooks brilliant as Tigers stun Storm

It's the second time in three weeks that the Tigers have beaten the Storm, both efforts based on courageous defence and new-found grit.

It is the first time the Storm have lost consecutive away games since 2015.

While Marshall grabbed the headlines, hitting the match-winner from 25 metres out, Brooks was the one getting pats on the back from his coach.

Ivan Cleary said he felt his No.7 put in "one of his best" performances and stepped up when it mattered.

"Late in the game, Benji and Luke came up with some big plays," he said.

Wests Tigers pack overhaul based on NRL 2017 statistics

Coming into their pack this season are big men with big profiles in Ben Matulino, Russell Packer and Chris McQueen. Aaron Woods (Bulldogs) and Ava Seumanufagai (Sharks) headed in the opposite direction at the end of last season.

A quick glance at the Tigers yardage battles last year explains much of the movement, while the devil in the detail only further reveals their struggles in the middle in recent seasons.

JT returns but Tigers tame Cowboys in Cairns

The early-season rust was clear for both sides in a match that was delayed for more than 45 minutes after a blackout struck Cairns following a storm in the tropics.

After the lights were turned on, poor discipline from North Queensland gave the Tigers an easy out in the form of a penalty inside their own 10 metres, which they used to march up the field.

They made good use of the field position when they sucked in three defenders before offloading to find winger Corey Thompson unmarked, who posted first points of the night. 

Brett Hodgson to join Wests Tigers coaching staff

The 39-year-old is currently assistant coach at the Widnes Vikings and will join Wests Tigers for the start of the 2018 pre-season.

Hodgson said he was looking forward to coming back to Wests Tigers in a coaching capacity.

"I'm extremely happy to be returning to Wests Tigers, the memories have been flooding back to me and I'm looking forward to getting started," Hodgson said. 

"Ivan and the staff have made many changes and I feel now is the perfect time to return as the club enters this new era.

Heartbreaking lesson for Tiger cubs

The Tigers looked home and hosed when Malakai Watene-Zelezniak crossed and then Tui Lolohea nailed the sideline conversion to move them ahead by eight points with 10 minutes remaining, but it wasn't to be as the Sharks punished a couple of errors to race in two late tries to steal the win.