Ben Murdoch-Masila is looking to make the most of his recall to the starting side at Centrebet Stadium this Sunday.
Coach Mick Potter has named Murdoch-Masila in the back-row to partner Eddy Pettybourne for the vital clash against Penrith Panthers.
"It is always a dream to be in the starting 13. I've only done it twice this year... hopefully I do a good job, Murdoch-Masila said.
The new number 12 has put in the hard yards, having made his debut for Wests Tigers in the 2010 finals series against the Sydney Roosters.
He's been a constant presence on the interchange since but is looking forward to getting into the thick of the action from the kick-off.
"The past couple of weeks I haven't been getting involved too much, Murdoch-Masila admitted.
In defence, I'll be talking to the people next to me like Benji Marshall and Joel Reddy.
His transition from interchange to starting side has not been easy with extra sessions under NRL High Performance Manager Skandalis in an attempt to become an 80 minute player.
Murdoch-Masila knows there is plenty of more hard work ahead of the hard running back-rower who also has an eye on representing Tonga again in the World Cup at the end of the season.
He admits the Tongan culture is very different to that at the club
In Tongan camp, all we did was sing, pray and eat. I fit right in, he
laughed.
Coach Mick Potter has named Murdoch-Masila in the back-row to partner Eddy Pettybourne for the vital clash against Penrith Panthers.
"It is always a dream to be in the starting 13. I've only done it twice this year... hopefully I do a good job, Murdoch-Masila said.
The new number 12 has put in the hard yards, having made his debut for Wests Tigers in the 2010 finals series against the Sydney Roosters.
He's been a constant presence on the interchange since but is looking forward to getting into the thick of the action from the kick-off.
"The past couple of weeks I haven't been getting involved too much, Murdoch-Masila admitted.
In defence, I'll be talking to the people next to me like Benji Marshall and Joel Reddy.
His transition from interchange to starting side has not been easy with extra sessions under NRL High Performance Manager Skandalis in an attempt to become an 80 minute player.
Murdoch-Masila knows there is plenty of more hard work ahead of the hard running back-rower who also has an eye on representing Tonga again in the World Cup at the end of the season.
He admits the Tongan culture is very different to that at the club
In Tongan camp, all we did was sing, pray and eat. I fit right in, he
laughed.
