League: Young Tiger keen to show he can play first grade

Northlander Manaia Cherrington is raring to dig deep for the Wests Tigers in 2016. Photo / Getty Images

Wests Tigers rising star Manaia Cherrington is ready to take full advantage of the opportunities given to him early this season.

Born in Whangarei, but moving to Australia at a young age, Cherrington has been thrust into the Tigers specialist hooker role in absence of the injured Robbie Farah (knee) and Matt Ballin (knee).

Featuring in the Tigers round two NRL match against the Sea Eagles last night, Cherrington said he was enjoying being able to work with veteran Dene Halatau, as well as Farah and Ballin, and feature at first grade level this season.

"I think, for myself, being young, just to learn as much off Robbie and Matty is just going to help my performance.

"He's [Farah] really helped me a lot coming through the juniors ... he told me just to play my own game and take my opportunities whenever they come."

Having watched Cherrington, Jack Littlejohn and Kyle Lovett combine at hooker on March 5 against the Warriors to cover for the injury and suspension problems in the position, Halatau said he was thoroughly impressed with the young Kiwi international Cherrington - emphasising his excitement to work alongside the 21-year-old.

"Manaia Cherrington is a really strong future prospect for this club at No9," he said.

"He's going to be taking the reins [this week] when I come off and helping me out.

"So while there is some pressure to fill in for Robbie and Matt [Ballin], I'll do what I can and try to work well with Manaia and develop a good combination in that time."

Wests Tigers were looking to start the season with consecutive victories when they took on the Sea Eagles at Leichhardt Oval last night.