LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The Wests Tigers Black Cubs (Under 18/19s) have arrived in Auckland for their Cultural & Development Tour of New Zealand, coinciding with the Wests Tigers NRL home game against the Warriors in Hamilton.
This tour brings together the top young players from the Wests, Balmain, and Macarthur junior leagues, providing them with specialized coaching in preparation for the upcoming season.
The Black Cubs program is designed for players who are aiming to transition into the Jersey Flegg competition in 2024, and these players have been identified through their performances in the SG Ball Cup competition.
The squad, consisting of 18 players, will be based in Auckland and will participate in various community events during their tour, including visits to Papakura Normal School and Kauri Flats School.
On Saturday, the Cubs will travel to Hamilton to watch the Wests Tigers face off against the Warriors at FMG Stadium Waikato, and on Sunday, they will have their own game against a New Zealand Warriors Under 19s/20s development side at Mt Smart Stadium.
This tour marks the completion of the Black Cubs' 2023 junior representative commitments and provides valuable insights into the potential future players for the SG Ball and Jersey Flegg teams.