Payten impressed with Tigers crop

Veteran Wests prop Todd Payten has lauded the ability of youngster Andrew Fifita, who is preparing for his second season in the NRL.

But Payten, 31, also said fellow props Ben Murdoch-Masila, Neil Begovich, and Aaron Woods all have promising futures.

Fifita has made an instant impact with the Tigers after making his debut his debut in the round 2 loss against the Roosters.

He went on to make 18 appearances in the NRL, scoring five tries as the Tigers made it to the Preliminary Final against eventual winners St George Illawarra.

“This kid can absolutely play, ’’ Payten revealed.

“I think his big problem was consistency. He would have a good game and then the media would write him up. He would then be off the ball for a week or two.

“It was a big learning curve for Andrew and he is still yet to develop physically. He has a fair bit of flair about him which is good.”

Murdoch-Masila, Payten says, has a big future ahead of him after the who made his NRL debut in the qualifying final against the Roosters in just his first season out of high school.

“Ben has a fair bit of aggression in him. He is a big lump of a lad, moves pretty well, and reads the plays defensively which is good,’’ Payten said.