Combined NSW Cup team benefits Tigers, says cup coach

HAVING a combined team in the second-tier NSW Cup will benefit the Wests Tigers club, says cup coach Paul Fletcher.

HAVING a combined team in the second-tier NSW Cup will benefit the whole Wests Tigers club, says cup coach Paul Fletcher.

Fletcher coached Balmain Ryde-Eastwood to the NSW Cup grand final last year, where they were beaten by Newtown Jets 22-18.

But Balmain and Western Suburbs will fall in line with the rest of Wests Tigers by fielding a combined team in the NSW Cup this season.

The concept has been opposed by some Magpies fans, but Fletcher says it will help the Tigers playing under one banner.

"I think being Wests Tigers now, the stigma has been taken out of it," he said on weststigers.com.au

"Kids today don't know who Balmain and Wests are, they follow Wests Tigers. Having all three teams as one club can only benefit everyone I think."

Fletcher says the merge will help cup players break into the NRL, with Jarred Farlow, Ava Seumanufagai and Taqele Naiyaravaro in the line for a call up in 2013.