We can have next 'Big Three': Tigers bos

(EDS: Reissues with new keyword)

By James MacSmith

SYDNEY, March 20 AAP - The Wests Tigers have the next 'big three' in their ranks, capable of having an impact upon the NRL the equal of that to Melbourne superstars Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater, according to the boss of the joint venture, Justin Pascoe.

Furious speculation continues to surround the futures of Tigers halves Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses however Pascoe said he was confident of keeping the duo at Concord.

Fullback James Tedesco has started the season as one of the form players of the NRL and Pascoe said if the Tigers could keep their current crop of juniors together success would come their way.

"We are still in a fortunate position and the players recognise that too," Pascoe told Triple M on Sunday.

"You talk about Melbourne Storm and the 'big three' and as a franchise they have had so much success because of the fact they have played together for 10 years.

"We have a group of young kids basically, (Tim) Simona and Moses and Brooks and Tedesco and (Aaron) Woods and Jesse Sue and (David) Nofoaluma that have all been together for four or five years coming through the juniors."

Pascoe said the group were keen to stay together because of their friendship.

"There has to be a level of passion for the fact that you are playing with mates and can play with mates for the next 10 years that is a powerful thing that is unquantifiable that these guys need to recognise and I'm sure they do," he said.

"These guys genuinely enjoy playing together."

On March 31 the NRL can call in the $5.4 million loan owed to them by the Balmain half of the joint venture.

After that, that half of the joint venture will effectively be thrown open to tender for six months.

"The ideal outcome would be (for that to be sorted) before the 31st," Pascoe said.

"I understand there are a couple of interested parties.

Pascoe did not elaborate on who those parties were.