Lewy's Debutant Watch | Stellar season continues for Tigers cub
True Blue Luke Lewis has shared his thoughts on the Wests Tigers’ young firebrand Justin Matamua, the mobile front-rower set to make his NRL debut from the bench this weekend at just 18 years of age.
Matamua is a Campbelltown City junior who has skyrocketed through the Wests Tigers ranks in 2022 having this completed his second season as Magpies UNE SG Ball Cup (U19s) captain, before spending time in the Jersey Flegg Cup (U21s) and making four appearances in The Knock-On Effect Cup.
His call-up to the NRL from coach Brett Kimmorley has also come less than three weeks after his first foray into the NSW Pathways program, starting at prop in the 34-4 Under 19s State of Origin win over Queensland at Leichhardt Oval.
Matamua was a key cog in the engine room for the Andrew Ryan-coached side, running for 109 metres including three tackle busts, and making 28 tackles with no misses from 49 minutes played.
Matamua’s first grade debut is the icing on the cake for what has been a year to remember so far, and the promising tiger was simply overjoyed to learn of the news.
“Initially I thought it (the phone call) was for training to make sure I turned up on time... and then later on he (Kimmorley) broke the news that I would be making my debut against Parramatta this week,” Matamua told Wests Tigers TV.
“Growing up in Campbelltown I’ve always been a Wests Tigers fan, it’s the local team, and to finally pull on the jersey and call myself a Wests Tigers player is so surreal.
“I’m truly grateful for it and it’s something I’ll never forget.”
What Lewy says:
“He’s come from absolutely nowhere, played SG Ball for (Magpies) this year, only four games in NSW Cup and then also in the winning Under 19s Origin.
“This guy can play football, he gets his first chance at first grade and he’s only 18 years old coming off the bench.
“I can’t wait to see what he can do in first grade, but what a story – a young kid coming from SG Ball to play first grade in the same year.”
