This past week in the QLD Cup and NSW Cup was filled with drama.
Exciting moments included a thrilling match between Canterbury and Canberra, alongside the historical first two-point field goal in QLD Cup, where Norths triumphed over the markedly improved PNG Hunters.
This week's focus shifts from the usual format to an in-depth look at the future halves prospects for the Wests Tigers, prompted by the shock announcement of Jarome Luai's departure from the club.
Latu or Javon? Is the Luai replacement already at the Tigers?
The news of Luai's nearing exit at season's end has sparked significant speculation regarding the Tigers' plans for the halves in 2027 and beyond, despite the acquisition of Jake Averillo for the upcoming season.
Initially thinking they had until 2028 to nurture their young halfbacks, the club now finds itself needing to accelerate its timeline to evaluate Latu Fainu and Javon Andrews.
Andrews is a promising talent who returned to the Tigers pathway this year after a stint on the Gold Coast. His return was uncertain after suffering a C4 and C5 vertebrae fracture in a junior match five years ago, with doctors initially stating he wouldn't play rugby league again. Yet, he defied expectations and made his comeback in 2023.
Last year's U19 Origin Player of the Match has proved to be a valuable asset for the Magpies this season. Andrews currently leads the league in try assists with 19, five ahead of the next closest player, and boasts 21 linebreak assists, four clear of his nearest rival. His calm yet strategic running style is certainly his standout attribute.
Conversely, Fainu's success as a half is complicated to assess, as he's frequently been placed in various positions like hooker, middle forward, and even center during his time with the Tigers.
Given this, it's surprising to consider he was once regarded as one of the most gifted junior halves in the NSWRL junior representative system.